Good, Evil, And The Grey Zone

The Museum’s Program on Ethics, Religions, and the Holocaust is pleased to announce its annual seminar for faculty from all disciplines but particularly for professors of theology, ethics, and religion at theological schools and other institutions of advanced education. 

In the fields of Holocaust and genocide studies, theological and historical studies of the role played by Christianity in the Holocaust have led to broader study and analysis of the role of religious narratives, groups, institutions, and leaders in genocidal situations. The issues are complex. How do we define “religion” in the study of genocide, and what religious dynamics and ideologies emerge in a genocidal or pre-genocidal situation? What is the role of radical religious groups and how are such groups addressed from within and outside the larger religious tradition? What theological and political narratives emerge from radical movements, and how are such narratives used by perpetrators and other actors? How do theological ideas and religious movements serve to support and inspire communal violence and genocide? What religion-specific issues arise in the aftermath and processes of post-conflict peacebuilding? Starting with an analysis of the role of Christian churches and other religious groups during the Holocaust, this seminar will examine these questions comparatively, focusing on the specific role of “religion” in four case studies: the Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide, the Rwandan genocide, and ISIS.

Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about Museum resources for teaching and to consult and interact with Museum staff and visiting scholars. Learn more about the Museum’sprograms on ethics, religion, and the Holocaust. 

TO APPLY

Applicants must be faculty members at accredited, degree-awarding institutions in North America.

Applications must include:

1. A curriculum vitae
2. A statement of the applicant’s specific interest and purpose for attending the seminar
3. A supporting letter from a departmental chair or dean addressing the applicant’s qualifications and the institution’s potential interest in having Holocaust-related courses taught

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center will select a maximum of 20 applicants for admission, without regard to age, gender, race, creed, or national origin. For non-local participants, the Mandel Center will (1) reimburse the cost of direct travel to and from the participant’s home institution and Washington, DC, up to but not exceeding $600; and (2) defray the cost of lodging for the duration of the course. Incidental, meal, and book expenses must be defrayed by the candidates or their respective institutions. All participants must attend the entire seminar.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.ushmm.org/research/competitive-academic-programs/faculty-seminars/seminar-for-seminary-and-religious-studies-faculty/annual-seminar-for-seminary-and-religious-studies-faculty