745 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
USA
July 3, 2012
The Boston University School of Theology and the Institute on Religion,
Culture & World Affairs (CURA)
2012–13 Religion Fellows Program
“Religious Pluralisms in the Public Square”
We invite you to participate in the 2012–13 Religion Fellows Program, focused on
Religious Pluralisms in the Public Square and co-sponsored by the Boston
University School of Theology and the Institute on Religion, Culture & World Affairs
(CURA). The attached rationale document elaborates the purpose, theme, and scope
of the Religion Fellows Program. As will be described in more detail, the notions of
“religious pluralisms” and the “public square” are subjects that have already
generated a great deal of scholarly and popular debate about the role of diverse
religions and religious practices in public discourse and policy. This ongoing debate
invites scholars to analyze the complex roles that religions play in public and private
life.
As we explain in the rationale, the Religion Fellows will participate in seven sessions
over the 2012–13 academic year. Each participant will be invited to present the
results of her or his research at one of the sessions. In order to select twelve fellows
and plan an effective schedule, we invite each applicant to compose a one-page
proposal explicating: (1) the purpose and nature of your research project; (2) your
writing goal; and (3) the relation of your research to the theme for 2012–13,
“Religious Pluralisms in the Public Square.” Please submit the proposal to Program
Co-Director Dr. John Berthrong by August 10, 2012. We also request that colleagues
interested in applying to the program communicate your intent to Dr. Berthrong as
soon as possible.
The Fellows Program will provide the following direct individual financial support
for each participant:

Research Grants: $200 per participant for support of the research project.
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
Honoraria: a stipend of $1,050 for participation in every session ($150 per
session) to be provided after the fall and spring semester.
The expectation of the Fellows Program is that each participant will attend all seven
sessions. If someone needs to miss a session, the person will forfeit the $150 stipend
for that particular seminar.
The Fellows Program will provide for all participants’ meals (depending on the
schedule for each session) and also any incidental fees, such as parking at Boston
University, when necessary.
At the program’s conclusion, the written results of the participants’ research will be
revised and edited based on the participants’ multidisciplinary conversations. The
final papers will be published online in order to share the insights the Fellows will
have gained during the year of research and dialogue.
All sessions will take place at Boston University School of Theology. The schedule
will be arranged to ensure maximum participation by all participants. While
scheduling conflicts are inevitable, we will make every effort to be flexible and
realistic in setting dates and times to accommodate fellows as much as possible.
If you have any questions about the theme, rationale, or structure of the program,
please contact Dr. Berthrong for further clarification. We sincerely thank you for
your interest in this exciting program. This is an important and timely
multidisciplinary program, which is made rich by the participants and their
scholarship.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. John Berthrong
Boston University School of Theology
745 Commonwealth Ave., Room 307
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-353-6136
Email: jhb@bu.edu
Dr. John Berthrong, Co-Director, Religion Fellows Program
Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore, Co-Director, Religion Fellows Program
Professor Robert Hefner, Director, Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs
(CURA)
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