Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying: Insights from North American Secondary Schools

Religious bullying is a problem in two North American contexts, and religious literacy is a potential school-based intervention to promote understanding of religious and non-religious difference. Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying examines the impact of mandatory religious literacy courses in secondary schools and identifies key determinants of course impact. It suggests practical recommendations to combat societal trends and religious discrimination in the classroom and emphasizes the importance of context in discussing religious literacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive text delves into the pervasive phenomenon of religious bullying, shedding light on its manifestations in two distinct North American contexts. Through a rigorous analysis of substantive and qualitative data collected from schools and communities in California and Quebec, Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying explores the impact of mandatory religious literacy courses delivered in secondary schools. The study identifies key determinants of course impact, including curricula, teacher attitudes, training, and administrative support. Drawing upon Bronfenbrenner's social-ecological framework, the text further illustrates how environmental factors both within and outside the school shape teacher and student attitudes toward religious and non-religious traditions. Practical recommendations are offered to address overarching societal trends and religious discrimination within the classroom, emphasizing the importance of context in fostering effective discussions on religious literacy.

This text is of immense value to researchers, academics, and educators engaged in the fields of religious literacy, religious education, the sociology of education, and those interested in bullying and truancy more broadly. It also holds significance for those passionate about intersectionality, marginalized communities, secularism, and educational policy. The volume provides valuable insights and practical strategies for promoting understanding, tolerance, and inclusivity in educational settings.

Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying is a groundbreaking contribution to the literature on religious diversity and education. By examining the impact of religious literacy courses and identifying key factors that influence their effectiveness, the book offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and community members seeking to create inclusive and respectful learning environments for all students.

Weight: 467g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367640422