Dr. Edley Moodley
Lee University announced that Dr. Edley Moodley, professor of Intercultural Studies at Lee, has been selected from a nationwide pool of nominees to participate in a faculty seminar on the teaching of interfaith understanding. The seminar is offered by the Council of Independent Colleges and Interfaith Youth Core, with support from the Henry Luce Foundation.
“I am pleased to represent Lee University at this seminar,” said Dr. Moodley. “Since America has become the most diverse and religiously plural society in the world today, interfaith learning has become an urgent priority for higher education, and I believe this seminar is one building block in pursuit of the goal of interfaith literacy.”
Twenty-five faculty members representing private campuses across the nation will participate in the five-day Teaching Interfaith Understanding seminar that will take place Aug. 3-7 at DePaul University in Chicago, Ill. The seminar will be led by two leading scholars, Eboo Patel, founder and president of IFYC, a Chicago-based organization building the interfaith movement on college campuses, and Laurie Patton, dean of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and the Robert F. Durden professor of Religion at Duke University.
“Strengthening the teaching of interfaith understanding at colleges and universities is a high priority at a time when college enrollment is becoming more diverse - by religion, as well as socioeconomic factors - just as American society is becoming more diverse," said CIC President Richard Ekman. "Strengthening participation in American life with greater understanding of the distinctive contributions of different faiths is key to America’s future success. The number of institutions that nominated faculty members to participate in the new interfaith understanding seminar is most impressive.”
The seminar will broaden faculty members’ knowledge and strengthen their teaching of interfaith understanding, with the development of new courses and resources, said officials.
“Because of his background, experience, and formal education, I believe Dr. Moodley is perfect for engagement in this seminar," said Dr. Debbie Murray, vice president for Academic Affairs at Lee. "He is sure to provide a unique perspective in seminar discussions. Moodley has been active in developing curriculum and experiential learning opportunities for students at Lee, and as a result of participation in this seminar, I anticipate development of new courses and approaches to facilitate the dialogue that is so critical in today’s global society.”
Dr. Moodley joined the Lee University School of Religion faculty in 1999, and currently serves as the director of Lee’s Intercultural Studies Program, along with teaching Introduction to Christianity and Theology of Missions courses, among others. He received his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary, his Master in Divinity from the Church of God Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Theology from University of South Africa.
For more information, visit www.cic.edu/TeachingInterfaith.