AAR Award for Excellence in Teaching

The American Academy of Religion Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes the importance of teaching, and honors outstanding teaching in the field.

Nominations

Winners

2013		Carolyn Medine University of Georgia
2012		Martha J. Reineke University of Northern Iowa Teaching Statement Why We Believe syllabus Religions of the World syllabus Religions of the World sample essay exam questions Religion and Society syllabus
2011		Katie Geneva Cannon Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education Teaching Statement Womanist Theological Ethics syllabus Ethics, Ethnicity and Architectonic Texts syllabus Codes of Ethics in Freedom Narratives syllabus Ethical Motifs and Moral Agency syllabus Ethical Matters of Life and Death syllabus
2010		Barbara (Bobbi) Patterson Emory University Teaching Statement Introduction to Religions: African Religions and Buddhism syllabus Religion and Ecology: Sustainability and Spiritual Practices of Place A Contemplative Pedagogy Approach syllabus

2009		Kwok Pui Lan Episcopal Divinity School Teaching Statement Critical Incidents in the Classroom article Spirituality of Healing article Introduction to Liberation Theology syllabus Eros, Sexuality, and the Spirit syllabus

2008		Fred Glennon Le Moyne College Teaching Statement Christian Social Ethics syllabus Religious Perspectives on the Human Situation syllabus Comparative Religious Ethics and Social Concerns syllabus

2007		Stacey Floyd-Thomas Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University Teaching Statement Spotlight on Teaching article Issues in Integrative Studies article Introduction to Christian Social Ethics syllabus The African-American Experience in Social Ethics syllabus

2006		Patricia O'Connell Killen Pacific Lutheran University Encountering Religious Commitments in the Classroom Teaching Statement Gaps and Gifts Gracious Play: Discipline, Insight and the Common Good Making Thinking Real Enough to Make it Better: Using Posters to Develop Skills for Constructing Disciplinary Arguments Syllabus for the course Religion Among American Minorities Syllabus for the course American Church History Course Calendar for the course American Church History

2005		Zayn Kassam Pomona College Religious Studies News Article Teaching Statement Reflections on Teaching Islam at a Liberal Arts College Syllabus for the Course "Engendering and Experience: Women in the Islamic Tradition" Syllabus for the Course "Muslim Literary Landscapes"

2004		Timothy Renick Georgia State University Interview with the Virtual Teaching and Learning Center Editor Interview in Religious Studies News Teaching Statement History of Christian Thought Syllabus Mid-Term Examination Final Examination Orthodox, Gnostic, or J Lo Religion and Ethics Syllabus Mid-Term Examination Final Examination

2003		Janet Walton Union Theological Seminary

2002		William Placher Wabash College

2001		Eugene Gallagher Connecticut College

2000		Tina Pippin Agnes Scott College

Nominations

Criteria

Outstanding performance as a classroom teacher, as demonstrated by the teaching statement, representative syllabi, student evaluations, peer observations, teaching awards, and other forms of peer recognition.
Development of innovative and/or exceptionally effective teaching methods, courses and curricular materials, including the incorporation of technology in the classroom, community-based education, grant projects and/or contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Commitment to professional identity as a teacher of religion, including student or peer mentoring, workshop facilitation or design, and/or educational leadership at the local institution or professional societies.
At least five years' experience in teaching in higher education.

Selection

Members of the Committee on Teaching and Learning will assess the applications. The Award will be presented at the Awards Ceremony held at the AAR Annual Meeting. The award recipient also will be featured at a Special Topics Forum.

Application Process

All applications must include the following materials:

A letter of nomination of no more than 1000 words highlighting the nominee's achievements with respect to one or more of the criteria listed above.
A personal teaching statement of no more than 1000 words. Please respond to the following:
- What is effective teaching? And how do you know it?
- What teaching principles and/or philosophies do you use in preparing to teach?
- How do you continue to develop as a teacher?
- What advice would you give a new teacher?
Three (3) additional letters of recommendation (including at least one from a student and one from a colleague).
Two representative syllabi.
A curriculum vitae of no more than three pages.

October 1 is the deadline by which nominations, and any information in support of them, must be received. Nomination materials may be mailed or submitted electronically through the online submission system. Mail nomination materials to:

Excellence in Teaching Award
American Academy of Religion
825 Houston Mill RD NE STE 300
Atlanta, GA 30329-4205
USA

phone: 1-404-727-3049
e-mail: info@aarweb.org

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