Introducing Westar Academy: Bringing the academic study of religion to the public
Westar Institute
August 3, 2023
Westar Institute, home of the Jesus Seminar, takes the study of religion out of the Ivory Tower and into the Public Square.
SALEM, Ore. — Westar Institute, home of the Jesus Seminar, a renowned organization committed to pursuing honest and rigorous scholarly inquiry on the origins and cultural implications of the Christian tradition, is thrilled to announce the launch of the new Westar Academy. Designed as an online platform to facilitate transformative learning experiences, the Westar Academy aims to engage learners in topics of religion, ethics, and theology and how these topics intersect with and impact our lives and our world.
Westar Academy, accessible at westarinstitute.org/learn/academy, will offer an array of thought-provoking courses led by distinguished scholars, authors, and experts who bring a fresh perspective to religious studies and its relevance in today’s world. With a focus on fostering meaningful dialogues and encouraging intellectual curiosity, the Academy aims to create an inclusive space for learners from diverse backgrounds.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Westar Academy, a platform that fosters a deeper understanding of religious traditions and contemporary issues,” said Dr. David Galston, Executive Director of Westar Institute. “Through these engaging and insightful courses, learners will not only gain valuable knowledge but also embark on a path of personal and intellectual growth.”
Open to all, the Academy will be a place where difficult and diverse ideas can be discussed across differences for those seeking critical insight into the variety of ways the Christian tradition is operative in the world today.
Participants can expect dynamic and interactive sessions, supplemented by reading materials and other resources curated to enrich the learning experience.
The inaugural courses, starting this August, promise to ignite the imagination and inspire contemplation:
Course Title: Stories of Violence and Vulnerability: Then, Now
Date: August 21, 2023–September 25, 2023
Description: Explore and experiment with the literature of Jesus in the ancient world alongside contemporary speculative fiction. This course aims to explore the multifaceted ways in which humans construct meaning in their lives, both in historical contexts and the modern world. Participants will analyze narratives of violence and vulnerability, drawing connections and insights that resonate across time and space.
Course Title: Cultivating Food Justice in Christian Community
Date: October 8, 2023–November 15, 2023
Description: Food serves as a gateway to understanding faith in incarnational and joyful terms. Through this course, participants will embark on a journey to explore the profound connection between food, faith, and justice. Focusing on Gospel narratives of Jesus’ life with food alongside more recent liberation and decolonial movements, we will explore how following the example of Jesus in the contemporary world can take shape through the efforts of food justice. Understanding food as a rooted space for collaboration and partnering with others to seek justice, learners will engage in transformative discussions and practical applications.
To enroll in the first two courses, interested individuals can visit https://www.westarinstitute.org/learn/academy.
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About Westar Institute:
Since its founding in 1986, Westar, has conducted a series of innovative seminars on the historical Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul, and other topics. Currently, Westar scholars are conducting seminars on the origins of the Christian tradition, on God and the human future, and on the Christ of the people as a liberating metaphor.
Westar Institute has been at the forefront of fostering religious literacy and promoting open dialogue within the field of religious studies. Through its publications, seminars, and educational initiatives like the Academy and Bible Search & Rescue, Westar Institute continues to contribute significantly to expanding knowledge and understanding of religion, equipping the general public with tools to critically evaluate competing claims in the public discussion of religion.
Westar is not affiliated with any religious institution or denomination and does not advocate a particular theological point of view. Westar Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public-benefit research and educational organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Contact:
Linda Hodges
Westar Institute
(855) 490-0454
lhodges@westarinstitute.org
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNA.