Religious Studies in Atlantic Canada

Book Description

This comprehensive examination explores how the academic study of religion has evolved and flourished within the universities of Atlantic Canada. Paul W. R. Bowlby takes readers on a scholarly journey through the distinctive landscape of religious education in this region, tracing the development of religious studies programs from their historical foundations to their current academic standing.

The book illuminates the unique characteristics that define each university's approach to religious scholarship, examining how curriculum design, research initiatives, and teaching methodologies have shaped the field. Bowlby provides valuable insights into the institutional contexts that have influenced religious studies departments, whether they emerged from public institutions or denominationally founded universities.

Beyond historical analysis, this work offers a candid assessment of the contemporary state of religious studies in Atlantic Canada. The author identifies departments that have achieved remarkable success through strategic planning and sustained vision, while also addressing the challenges facing programs that have struggled with faculty transitions and institutional pressures.

For educators, administrators, and anyone interested in the intersection of academic inquiry and spiritual understanding, this book presents thoughtful strategies for strengthening religious studies programs. Bowlby's analysis extends beyond mere institutional critique to offer constructive pathways for growth and sustainability in religious education.

This scholarly yet accessible work serves as both a historical record and a practical guide for those committed to advancing the academic study of religion in higher education.