Interreligious and Interfaith Studies Unit
The Impact of Social Media on Interreligious Engagement
We invite paper proposals, panel proposals, or alternative formats to explore the impact of social media on interreligious dialogue and other modes of engagement. This theme has several possible foci, including:
- How does polarization on TikTok, X, Facebook and other platforms thwart the impact of interfaith initiatives?
- Does social media hamper relationship-building and understanding? What is the impact on fostering nuance in dialogue when participants simultaneously wage a war of propositions on Facebook?
- What new modalities or opportunities does social media enable for interreligious dialogue and engagement?
- How is mediatization altering the understanding of interfaith dialogue itself?
- How might social media help to reframe assumptions about ‘religion’ and the encounter of diverse lifestances?
- How is social media shaping the interreligious landscape? What are the implications for the field of Interreligious Studies?
“The field of Interreligious Studies (IRS) entails critical analysis of the dynamic encounters – historical and contemporary, intentional and unintentional, embodied and imagined, congenial and conflictual – of individuals and communities who orient around religion differently. It investigates the complex of personal, interpersonal, institutional, and societal implications” (Rachel Mikva, Interreligious Studies: An Introduction)
This Unit creates space for critical interdisciplinary engagement with interfaith and interreligious studies, examining the many modes of response to the reality of religious pluralism. We seek to:
• Foster rigorous analysis to establish the contours of this emerging field.
• Explore connections with diverse disciplines as they grapple with encounter of persons and traditions in our multi-faith contexts.
• Advance cutting-edge institutional and pedagogical innovation at the intersection of the academy and civic engagement.
Underrepresented scholars, practitioners, and activists are especially encouraged to submit proposals. The unit is committed to equity and inclusion; panel proposals should reflect religious, racial, and gender diversity to be considered.
| Chair | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Feryal Salem | fsalem@aicusa.edu | - | View |
| Rachel Mikva, Chicago Theological Seminary | rmikva@ctschicago.edu | - | View |