Religion in the Social Sciences

Summer Seminar on RELIGION & THE SOCIAL SCIENCESHarvard UniversityJune 13 – 17, 2016Should social sciences pay more attention to religion? Although we increasingly live in a secular age, religious beliefs and practices continue to shape individual behavior and decision-making, social institutions, and human self-understanding in profound ways. While there are specialized academic subfields that study religion itself, such as the "sociology of religion" or the "psychology of religion," the influence of religion arguably remains a neglected topic in social scientific inquiry.This week-long summer seminar will review what is known about the role religion plays in various aspects of life and explore new avenues for research. Lectures and readings will focus on four central topics and disciplines: Religion and Politics, Religion and Family, Religion and Society, and Religion and Public Health. The seminar format will allow for extensive discussion concerning substantive findings, methodological issues, and research opportunities. Social outings will also facilitate informal conversations throughout the week.Faculty Leaders:David Campbell, Department of Political Science, University of Notre DameWilliam English, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown UniversityTyler VanderWeele, Chan School of Public Health, Harvard UniversityW. Bradford Wilcox, Department of Sociology, University of VirginiaEligibility: This seminar is open to graduate students in the social sciences, humanities, and related disciplines.Cost: A seminar fee of $200 covers food and lodging for the duration of the seminar. Attendees are responsible for their own travel expenses. Limited financial aid may be available for those with demonstrated need.To apply, please send the following toseminars@abigailadamsinstitute.org1. Your CV.2. A 1-page statement of interest discussing your reasons for wanting to participate in the seminar.3. A short writing sample.4. Contact information (name, position, email, phone) for two faculty members familiar with your work who would be willing to provide an informal reference. (Formal recommendation letters are not necessary.)The application deadline for the seminar is March 25, 2016. Applicants can expect to receive a decision by April 12, 2015.