Information on AAR Programs

1. employment services (EIS)
a. Openings: Employment Opportunities for Scholars of Religion
the most comprehensive public record of job listings for credentialed scholars in religion
b. Employment Information Services Center (EISC) at the Annual Meeting
provides employers and candidates with:
1) interview facilities,
2) a message service, and
3) job and resume listings
c. administering surveys tracking employment trends in the field

2. syllabus project
The AAR Syllabus Project was created with the following goals in mind:
a. To offer faculty who are designing new syllabi or revising old ones access to other teachers' course syllabi, allowing them to appreciate how others have organized material, selected reading assignments, and used audio-visual aids;
b. To promote an exchange of ideas about pedagogical practices, such as how course requirements reinforce course goals, how pedagogical techniques enhance the learning process, and how courses develop student interest in the study of religion.

The Syllabus Project includes nearly 500 syllabi in over 60 different course subjects across the scope of religious studies:

1. Religions of Africa (3)
2. Afro-American Religions (4)
3. Religions of America (17)
4. Religions of Ancient Egypt (1)
5. Animals (2)
6. Apocalypticism (5)
7. Religion and the Arts (6)
8. Religions of Asia (16)
9. Religions of Australia (1)
10. Bible (10)
11. Bible - Hebrew Bible/OT (8)
12. Buddhism (11)
13. Caribbean Religions (2)
14. Religions of China (13)
15. Christian Origins (30)
16. Christianity (26)
17. Comparative Study of Religion (14)
18. Contemporary Religious Thought (2)
19. Religion and Culture (6)
20. Death and Dying (8)
21. Religion and Disabilities (4)
22. Religion and Ecology (8) 23. Religion and Ethics (10)
24. Religion and Evil (2)
25. Religion, Film & Visual Culture (10)
26. Food and Religion (2)
27. Greek Religions in Antiquity (4)
28. Health, Illness and Religion (3)
29. Hinduism (2)
30. Holocaust and Genocide Studies (1)
31. Religions of India (6)
32. Interfaith Dialogue (6)
33. Introductory Courses (41)
34. Islam (18)
35. Religions of Japan (3)
36. Judaism (17)
37. Religions of Latin America (2)
38. Religion and Law (2)
39. Religion and Literature (7)
40. Media and Religion (2)
41. Men's Studies in Religion (1)
42. Method and Theory (7)
43. Religion and Music (2)
44. Mysticism (6) 45. Native Traditions in the Americas (8)
46. Near Eastern Religions in Antiquity (4)
47. New Religious Movements (7)
48. Peace and Violence (5)
49. Phenomenology (1)
50. Philosophy of Religion (8)
51. Religion and Politics (1)
52. Religion and Power (1)
53. Psychology and Religion (3)
54. Reformation (2)
55. Ritual Studies (7)
56. Science and Religion (12)
57. Service Learning and Religion (1)
58. Religion and Sexuality (1)
59. Religion and the Social Sciences (10)
60. Theology (Christian) (17)
61. Religions of Tibet and the Himalayas (1)
62. Violence and Religion (1)
63. Women and Religion (20)
64. World Religions (18)

3. department services
a. Departments
The Academic Relations Task Force has prepared a Guide for Reviewing Programs in Religion and Theology. This document provides department chairs with a set of strategic questions and suggested steps for conducting a program review and preparing for an outside evaluation. It contains an introductory statement on the study of religion; a discussion of the preliminary steps in constructing a successful review; a step-by-step description of the review process, and a "how to" on conceptualizing and writing an effective “self-study narrative” that helps to augment program resources.
b. Reviewers
The Program Advisory Service seeks to match experienced consultants with programs undergoing review or planning expansion. This program is still under development but currently maintains a data file of over 200 consultants with information on their institutional location and professional experience.
c. Searchable Guides to the Study of Religion and Theology
1) Guide to the Graduate Study of Religion and Theology
An online finding list of academic doctoral programs of religion and theology at accredited universities, seminaries, and theological schools in North America.
2) Guide to the Undergraduate Study of Religion and Theology
An online finding list of undergraduate departments and programs of religion at accredited colleges and universities in North America.
d. Surveys on Programs in Religion and Theology
1) Graduate Programs
2) Undergraduate Programs

4. grants
a. Research Grants: Individual and Collaborative
b. Annual Meeting Travel Grants [under development]
c. Regional Development Grants (available to AAR Regions)

5. awards
a. Book Awards
1) Best First Book in the History of Religions
2) Awards for Excellence in the Study of Religion:
--analytical-descriptive
--constructive-reflective
--historical studies
b. Journalism Awards: for best in-depth reporting on religion
(3 categories: large outlets, small outlets, and opinion-writing)
c. Ray L. Hart Service Award: for persons whose dedication and service made significant contributions to the AAR's mission of fostering excellence in the field of religion
d. Martin E. Marty Public Understanding of Religion Award: for extraordinary contributions to the public understanding of religion
e. Excellence in Teaching Award

6. workshops (sponsored in connection with the Annual Meeting)

7. religion major/liberal education: a project currently underway investigating:

How might teachers of religion invigorate learning in the field in light of recent global events?

What is the role of the concentration in promoting intercultural knowledge and competence among students?

In a context of growing religious violence and radicalism, how can teachers of religion encourage students to engage ethical issues in a way that is both academically rigorous and morally constructive?

How can teachers of religion best create learning environments which encourage students to intelligently and critically engage the moral, religious, and spiritual issues central to humanity while in the major and throughout their lives?

How can the concentration enhance its role in promoting practical skills central to liberal education such as written and oral communication, critical thinking, and problem solving?

How might the promotion of these outcomes within the major be integrated with achieving the personal and social outcomes outlined above?

In light of the growing number of institutions that require undergraduates to take courses in religion, what should be the shape of foundation or core courses in the field?

8. American Lectures in the History of Religion (ALHR) lecture & book series

9. publications (including online archives)
a. Journal of the American Academy of Religion (JAAR)
b. Book Series
1. Academy Series: publishes books that originate as dissertations in the field of religious studies
2. Religion, Culture, and History Series: publishes scholarly work that addresses the relation between religious studies and cultural studies/theory
3. Reflection and Theory in the Study of Religion Series: publishes works addressing theories of religion, the history and nature of religious studies, religious thought, theological investigation, and the philosophy of religion
4. Teaching Religious Studies Series: publishes works at the intersection of pedagogical concerns and the substantive content of religious studies
5. Texts and Translations Series: publishes significant primary texts in translation, important secondary scholarship on religious texts, and reprints of major works in the field
c. Openings: Employment Opportunities for Scholars of Religion
d. Religious Studies News (RSN)
e. Spotlight on Teaching
f. Spotlight on Theological Education
g. In the Field (notices)
h. e-bulletins (recent archives)
i. AAR Career Guide for Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession
1 Introduction
2 Graduate School
3 Job Search
4 Working Toward Tenure
5 Post Tenure
6 Alternative Career Options
7 Dealing with Difficult Issues
8 Are You Considering the Hire
9 Suggested Resources