Religion and Symbolism in Global Public Life
The 2026 Boniuk Institute Religious Literacy Series will provide a foundational course in religious literacy, in-depth explorations of various religious traditions and associate visual symbols, and special segments on religion and faith in the workplace and civil religion.
The one-day conference is aimed towards educators (secondary school teachers) and will provide them tools to teach religion in the classroom, and for professionals in other industries (nonprofit, health, technology, energy) interested in learning about different faith traditions and what religious literacy means in the context of the workplace.
Educators will earn up to 7 TX TEA credits. Other professionals will earn certificate of completion.
Register to Attend the Religious Literacy Series>>>
Details
Date: June 9, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Kraft Hall, Rice University (#80 on the Campus Map)
Cost: $25 for educators; $50 for all other professionals (breakfast, lunch, and parking are included)
Registration Deadline: June 3, 2026
Register to Attend the Religious Literacy Series>>>
Scholars and Topics
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Judith Brunton |
Melissa Cohen-Nickels |
Elaine Howard Ecklund |
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Gregory Han |
Anne C. Klein |
Aishwarya Lakshmi |
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Bianca Mabute-Louie |
Sana Patel |
Sarah Reynolds |
Schedule
8:30-9:30am: Coffee and Pastries
9:30-9:40am Welcome and Overview (Dr. Aishwarya Lakshmi)
9:40-10:10am: Faith in the Workplace (Prof. Elaine Howard Ecklund)
10:10-10:40am: The Word and the Image in Hinduism (Dr. Aishwarya Lakshmi)
10:40-11:00am: BREAK
11:00-11:30am: Buddhism (Prof. Anne C. Klein)
11:30-12:00pm: African Religious Symbols (Dr. Sarah Reynolds)
12:00-12:30pm: Sacred Objects, Public Meaning: Jewish Symbols and Identity (Melissa Cohen-Nickels)
12:30-1:20pm: LUNCH
1:20-1:50pm: Civil Religion in North America (Dr. Judith Brunton)
1:50-2:20pm: Muslim Fashion, Identity and Public Life (Dr. Sana Patel)
2:20-2:30pm: BREAK
2:30-3:00pm: More Than Just a Symbol: Meaning and Representation in Christianity (Rev. Gregory Han)
3:00-3:30pm: Faith is something you do: Religion and Collective Action (Bianca Mabute-Louie)
3:30-4:00pm: REVIEW