History

Are Belief Systems a Unifying or Dividing Force? A Lesson Reflection

religionmatters · 20 Apr 2023 · Leave a Comment

Guest Blog: Gretchyn Bedard, National Board Certified Social Studies Teacher Religions and belief systems have brought people together and torn groups apart. This phenomenon is something most students can comprehend, at least as it relates to the recent past and today. However, I have discovered that many of my students are largely unaware of how [...]

Religious Literacy in French Classes: Changing Understandings of Laïcité

religionmatters · 17 Mar 2023 · Leave a Comment

Guest Blog: Elsa Kunz, Graduate Student, Harvard Divinity School Cultivating religious literacy goes beyond the social studies classroom. In fact, world language teachers have some of the greatest opportunities to incorporate the academic study of religion into their lessons. Using a cultural studies approach and the framework from Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity [...]

Benjamin Franklin’s Contribution to Jewish Practice

religionmatters · 16 Jan 2023 · Leave a Comment

Guest Post: Shai Afsai Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, was born on this date, January 17, in 1706. In addition to being a well-known statesman, he was a successful newspaper editor and inventor. He was also one of the founders of the Academy and College of Philadelphia, a predecessor of the University of […]

Sanctuary Secrets: Learning About the Colonies Through Worship Spaces

religionmatters · 21 Oct 2022 · Leave a Comment

Guest Blog: Meredith Henne Baker British colonization of the Atlantic Coast was widespread in 17th century America. However, that colonization was not entirely uniform. Environmental, cultural, and demographic factors all influenced the character of the colonies in different regions along the coast. In this lesson plan, comparisons between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies […]