Tuesday, June 20, 2023 — 1pm (EDT)
Mike Graziano — University of Northern Iowa
Presentation Summary:
Developing local religious literacy programming can be both challenging and rewarding. In this session, Michael Graziano will provide a brief overview of the “Iowa Religious Literacy Program,” which provides professional development opportunities to Iowa public school teachers through addressing specific local religious literacy concerns. Difficulties abound, including the political and cultural challenges of pursuing this work in a state where programs related to diversity are under increased scrutiny, as well as the practical difficulties of developing and coordinating small-scale professional development programs. Plenty of time will be reserved for discussion, and those developing similar programs—or those interested in doing so—are particularly welcome to share their experiences and ideas.
Bio: Michael Graziano is an Assistant Professor of Religion at the University of Northern Iowa. His research and teaching focus on law, education, and national security in American religion. He is the author of Errand into the Wilderness of Mirrors: Religion and the History of the CIA (University of Chicago Press, 2021). In the Cedar Falls-Waterloo community, he also leads the “IRL Project,” a religious literacy program for Iowa public school teachers
