Part of what makes REL the place to be is that our professors lead many initiatives in the academic study of religion.
This fall our own Prof. Richard Newton is launching a new program called Off-Script to strengthen the critical comparative study of scriptures.
Off-Script is a monthly Zoom event that brings together graduate students and professional scholars interested in this particular area of study. The forum offers a chance to workshop research ideas, engage in professional development, and network.
Prof. Newton is kicking things off with a presentation called “Critical Comparative Scriptures: Introducing You and Your Subfield.”
This talk builds on his recent article, “Revisiting Scriptures: Unbinding a Critical Comparative Subfield” in Religion Compass and gestures toward his current project, A Critical Introduction to the Study of Scriptures (in development with Routledge). For future months, he already has some scholars eager to present.
Newton says that he and his colleagues have been musing about an online gathering like this for some time. He decided that there’s no time like the present to make this happen. “To me it’s a much needed experiment. We’re seeing that there’s a small critical mass of scholars interested in this work. Let’s get these folks together and see what happens.” When asked what excites him the most, he replied, “That’s an easy one! It’s the idea of cross-generational conversation. I get a thrill from seeing the registration forms of PhD students next to senior scholars noting that they are interested in talking to the other.”
If you’re interested in taking part, the first meeting 12pm -1pm on Friday August 30 on Zoom. Register at sowingtheseed.org/off-script to get the link. Email Prof. Newton if you have questions or would like to learn more.
| Off-Script Off-Script is a monthly Zoom conversation for graduate students and scholars interested in the critical comparative study of scriptures. Think of it as a get-together for our subfield to connect, c…sowingtheseed.org |
REL is pleased to join the Institute for Signifying Scriptures and the Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts as co-sponsors.