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http://www.aarweb.org/Programs/Awards/Teaching_Awards/Default.asp

AAR Award for Excellence in Teaching

The American Academy of Religion Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes the importance of teaching, and honors outstanding teaching in the field.

Nominations

Winners

2007		Stacey Floyd-Thomas Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University Teaching Statement Spotlight on Teaching article Issues in Integrative Studies article Introduction to Christian Social Ethics syllabus The African-American Experience in Social Ethics syllabus

2006		Patricia O'Connell Killen Pacific Lutheran University Discussion Board: A Conversation with Dr. Killen Encountering Religious Commitments in the Classroom Teaching Statement Gaps and Gifts Gracious Play: Discipline, Insight and the Common Good Making Thinking Real Enough to Make it Better: Using Posters to Develop Skills for Constructing Disciplinary Arguments Syllabus for the course Religion Among American Minorities Syllabus for the course American Church History Course Calendar for the course American Church History

2005		Zayn Kassam Pomona College Religious Studies News Article Teaching Statement Reflections on Teaching Islam at a Liberal Arts College Syllabus for the Course "Engendering and Experience: Women in the Islamic Tradition" Syllabus for the Course "Muslim Literary Landscapes"

2004		Timothy Renick Georgia State University Interview with the Virtual Teaching and Learning Center Editor Interview in Religious Studies News Teaching Statement History of Christian Thought Syllabus Mid-Term Examination Final Examination Orthodox, Gnostic, or J Lo Religion and Ethics Syllabus Mid-Term Examination Final Examination

2003		Janet Walton Union Theological Seminary

2002		William Placher Wabash College

2001		Eugene Gallagher Connecticut College

2000		Tina Pippin Agnes Scott College

Nominations

Criteria

Outstanding performance as a classroom teacher, as demonstrated by student evaluations, peer observations, teaching awards, and other forms of peer recognition
Development of effective teaching methods, courses, and/or teaching materials, that generate student learning, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and/or community based research
Commitment to professional identity as a teacher of religion and raising student interest in the field
At least three years' experience in teaching in higher education

Selection

Members of the Committee on Teaching and Learning will assess the applications. The Award will be presented before the Presidential Address at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion. The award recipient also will be featured at a Special Topics Forum.

Application Process

All applications must include the following materials:

A letter of nomination of no more than 1000 words highlighting the nominee's achievements with respect to one or more of the criteria listed above.
A personal teaching statement of no more than 1000 words
Three (3) additional letters of recommendation (including at least one from a student and one from a colleague)
Two representative syllabi
A curriculum vitae of no more than three pages

Application materials should be received no later than January 10.

Send to:

Excellence in Teaching Award
c/o Director of Professional Programs
American Academy of Religion
825 Houston Mill RD NE STE 300
Atlanta, GA 30329-4205
USA

phone: 1-404-727-1489
e-mail: kcole@aarweb.org

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