Graduate Courses
Our graduate courses are built for educators who want to teach about religion with confidence and clarity. We introduce the Cultural Studies Method, a framework that’s both pedagogically rich and constitutionally sound. Instead of treating religion as a list of beliefs or practices, we help teachers see (and teach) how religion is woven through culture, history, politics, and everyday life.
Each course draws on resources developed by Harvard’s Religion & Public Life Program. Participants work with other educators, sharing ideas and building strategies they can immediately apply in their own classrooms... whether that’s a history lesson, a literature discussion, or a world language project. As a graduate of the RPL and a classroom teacher with more than 20 years of experience, I’ve seen how transformative it can be when students engage with religion in meaningful ways. Through partnerships with organizations like the International Baccalaureate, ICJS, and Interfaith America, I’ve helped educators design learning experiences that lead to deeper classroom discussions, stronger critical thinking, and a greater sense of connection among students.
At the core of these courses is a simple belief: when teachers feel confident navigating religion as a complex and dynamic force, students are better prepared to understand the world around them and to engage with it thoughtfully and respectfully.
Past Courses
Religious Literacy for Educators (Summers of 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024)
Religious & Cultural Literacy (Spring 2018)
Religions of the East (Summer 2019)
Religions of the West (Summer 2019)
Introduction to Hindu Traditions (Fall 2019)
Religious & Cultural Literacy (Fall 2019)
Introduction to Buddhist Traditions (Spring 2020 & Spring 2021)
Introduction to Christian Traditions (Summer 2020 & Summer 2021)
Introduction to Islamic Traditions (Summer 2020 & Spring 2021)
Introduction to Sikh Traditions (Fall 2020)
Introduction to Jewish Traditions (Summer 2021)
Religion, Conflict and Peace in the Middle East (Spring 2024 & 2025)
Religious Literacy for Educators 2.0 (Summer 2025)​
Participant Reflections
I need to read, think, digest, reflect, and reconsider. This Cultural Studies Method has opened my mind to an alternative angle of perception, and
I have found this incredibly valuable with my teachings of literature, theory, and philosophy. Every time I think about what I teach now, I can find an angle to attach something from Dr. Moore's ideas to what and how I navigate the content.
John U.
I cannot tell you enough how much I love these courses and the Cultural Studies Method. It makes total sense to me philosophically, and there are so many takeaways in my professional and personal life. I seriously can't imagine life before our specialized schools started meeting up in your classes. The method has brought a common language to my classes that promote equity and an understanding to hold space for everyone.
Amy O.
Extremely impressed with the quality and pace of this course. It met my criteria when assessing if a class or workshop is effectively making a difference in my pedagogy and approach in the classroom with students. It was relevant to issues playing out in society today, challenging content, applicable to what I teach at the Newcomer Center, and powerfully transformative.
Mario P.
Using the Cultural Studies Method was a different way of studying religion than previous experiences that I've had. I liked using this method, particularly for the topics we explored in this class, since this guided me to a new understanding of the complexities and nuances in religion.
Katie B.
Through continued exposure to the Cultural Studies Method, I feel like I have a better understanding of the interplay of religion and culture and love the approach of allowing students to draw from their own interpretations. I've found more value in these courses than in any other coursework in my Masters and +30 programs.
The Cultural Studies approach continues to make me a better citizen of the world and can be applied in so many ways! Thank you for allowing us to further connect with our colleagues. I liked the small group time, especially since we rarely get to spend time together during the school year.
Katheleen R.
Steve L.
I really enjoyed the pedagogical approach. Religion can be a very sensitive issue. I think the class did a nice job of not imposing religion on anyone but helping people think about the role it has played in history. I cannot stress how enjoyable this experience has been.
Keith K.
I agree with the pedagogical approach, and now, I can't imagine learning religion without the Cultural Studies Method! Throughout the course, I reminded myself of internal diversity, cultural embeddedness, and change over time when I didn't understand something or felt my own bias creeping in.
The material was presented in a way I found easy to approach. There was so much I learned, and it left me exploring other questions that came up and inspired me to learn more.