Rhetoric Race & Religion Center
R3
Mission
The Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion is an interdisciplinary research and education hub committed to fostering understanding of the complex intersections of rhetoric, race, and religion in contemporary society. We aim to promote scholarship and dialogue and explore how these three domains interact to shape public discourse, social realities, and cultural identities.
Objectives
1. Advance scholarship at the intersection of rhetoric, race, and religion.
2. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars from diverse backgrounds.
3. Provide resources and training for students, early and mid-career, and senior scholars.
4. Engage with communities to address real-world issues related to rhetoric, race, and religion.
5. Organize conferences, workshops, seminars, and symposia to facilitate knowledge exchange.
Key Activities
1. Research Programs: Establish research clusters focusing on topics such as:
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Religious rhetoric in racial justice movements
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Rhetorical analysis of religious texts through a critical race lens
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The role of religious rhetoric in perpetuating or challenging racial hierarchies
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Intersections of religious, racial, and national identities
2. Annual Conference: Host an annual hybrid interdisciplinary conference on Rhetoric, Race, and Religion.
3. Publication Series: Continue supporting the Lexington Books Rhetoric Race and Religion series.
4. Graduate Student Support: Provide mentorship, research assistantships, and travel grants for graduate students pursuing studies in rhetoric, race, and religion.
5. Community Engagement: Organize public lectures, workshops, and dialogues to bridge academic research with community concerns and activism.
6. Digital Archive: Create a comprehensive digital archive of resources related to rhetoric, race, and religion, including primary sources, case studies, and scholarly works.
Expected Outcomes
1. Increased scholarly output on the intersections of rhetoric, race, and religion.
2. Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and dialogue.
3. Development of new methodologies and theoretical frameworks.
4. Improved public understanding of the role of religious rhetoric in racial discourse.
5. Training of a new generation of scholars equipped to address complex societal issues.
