Academic Relations Committee

Charge

The Academic Relations Committee promotes attention to and develops resources for enhancing members’ professional development and the institutional forms within which the study of religion takes place. To fulfill its charge the Academic Relations Committee generates programs, undertakes studies, articulates best practices, and develops resources for the undergraduate and graduate study of religion.

The Academic Relations Committee is currently tracking changes to religious studies/theology and related programs and departments at institutions of higher learning for the American Academy of Religion. This information helps AAR stay up to date on the state of the field while providing timely resources for departments, faculty, and students.

Duties and Responsibilities

Members of the Academic Relations Committee are expected to participate in sponsored or co-sponsored sessions at the Annual Meetings.

Meeting Schedule

• One in-person meeting at the Annual Meetings in November
• Spring and Fall virtual meetings via Zoom

Timeline of Activities

• Time commitments peak in March for planning of sessions/co-sponsored sessions for the following Annual Meeting.
• Time commitments peak again in the Fall as we prepare for the upcoming Annual Meeting.

Committee Members

• Term of Service: Four years, non-renewable
• Committee Composition: Up to six members

Religious Studies/Theology Department Changes Tracker

The Academic Relations Committee is using this form to track changes to religious studies/theology and related programs and departments at institutions of higher learning.

Webinars

In 2023, the ARC committee launched a webinar series focused on discussing the obstacles and challenges facing the humanities, as well as offer models for solutions to overcome them.

• Strategies for Building Resilient Undergrad Programs (September 24, 2025)
• The Future of Doctoral Programs (August 27, 2025)
• Steps Toward a New PhD (July 30, 2025)
• Recent Changes in Higher Education and What We Can Do About It (June 23, 2025)
• Preparing Graduate Students for a Variety of Futures (May 22, 2025)
• The Departmental External Review: Preparation in Precarious Times (April 30, 2025)
• From TA to Professor: Tools for Early Career Scholars in the Classroom (March 31, 2025)
• The REL Toolbox: Resources for Departments & Programs (February 26, 2025)
• Revisiting Humanities Department Closures and Mergers – One Year Later (November 14, 2024)
• Reflections on the State of the Humanities from a University President (September 17, 2024)
• The State of the Humanities at a Liberal Arts College (September 7, 2024)
• The State of the Humanities at HBCUs (August 2, 2024)
• Retooling Graduate Education in the Study of Religion (April 24, 2024)
• AI’s Impact on Teaching and Research (April 11, 2024)
• The State of Roman Catholic Small Liberal Arts Colleges (March 7, 2024)
• Recruiting Majors: Strategies and Experiences (March 6, 2024)
• Humanities Closures: Two Public University Case Studies (December 19, 2023)
• Department Mergers: A Survival Guide (December 18, 2023)

Recommended Resources

• Data and Studies

External Review Assistance

• Guide for Reviewing Programs in Religion and Theology
• Guide for Choosing an External Reviewer
• Guide for External Reviewers
• Request an External Reviewer
• Volunteer as External Reviewer

AAR and Committee Activities

• New Academic Relations Committee Webinar Series on Challenges to Departments and Programs
• Statement on Best Practices for Posting Placement and Graduation Records
• “The Academic Study of Religion in the Face of Budget Cuts (PDF)” (2009)
• “Focus on the Undergraduate Study of Religion (PDF)” (2008) – Teagle/AAR White Paper
• “Focus on the Religion Major and Liberal Education (PDF)” (2007)