African American Religious Studies Forum
This Forum presents and promotes innovative scholarship related to the study of African American religion. In this way, CERCL presents and helps to advance the success of scholarship often considered marginal to the Academy. As the number of academic posts decreases, it is important to advance the use of intellectual skills beyond the traditional employment paths for those in the Humanities in general and the study of Religion in particular. Mindful of this, the Forum also provides activities and programming meant to help students refine their capacities for “non-traditional” posts.
African American Graduate students and Faculty are particularly challenged with respect to the exercise of leadership (as defined by the Center) within the Academy. As a way of addressing this, and in light of one of the growing areas of interest in the social sciences and humanities, the African American Religious Studies Forum provides opportunities for graduate students and interested faculty working in African American religion to: (1) dialogue with leading off-campus scholars in the study of African American religion who provide feedback on graduate student projects as well as advice regarding professional life within the Academy; (2) present their research and receive feedback, in this way they gain greater ability to provide and constructively receive critique; (3) international opportunities to present their research and network.
Visiting Lecturers
Recent Lectures
What's the Thesis?
An ongoing conversation series with scholars in black religion and related fields. During these conversations we will talk with guests about their recent publications, their current research and other critical issues in our contemporary world.
AARSF Fellows
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2023
The AARSF Fellows Program provides opportunities for graduate students working in African American religion to: (1) present their research; (2) add to the CERCL Archive in the Woodson Research Center at Rice University’s Fondren Library.
Rice University graduate students who are in the writing phase of the program (e.g. working on the dissertation proposal or dissertation) are eligible to apply. Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend.
2019 - 2020 Affiliate
Colin Bossen is the interim senior minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston. He has a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University, an AM in History, also from Harvard, an MDiv. from Meadville Lombard Theological School, and a BA in English (composition) and physics from Denison University. He studies race, religion, and politics in the United States. He is presently working on two books. The first will be drawn from his spring 2019 Minns lectures: American Populism and Unitarian Universalism. The second will examine the religious dimensions of American populism. He keeps a blog at www.colinbossen.com
AARSF Affiliates
A program is for scholars whose research presents and promotes innovative scholarship related to the study of race and religion.