Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2008
Dr. Bryan Rennie, Westminster College associate professor and chair of the Department of Religion, History, Philosophy and Classics, served on the external review committee that examined the religious studies department of Wesleyan University (Conn.).
"It is a considerable honor to be asked to perform such a task, as universities invite fellow scholars in their disciplines who are considered particularly distinguished in their field," Rennie said.
The committee included Dr. Jeffery Kripal, chair of the religious studies department at Rice University and former Westminster College faculty; and Dr. Lindsay Jones of the department of comparative studies at Ohio State University and general editor of the second edition of Encyclopedia of Religion, one of the most widely used reference works in the discipline.
The committee was given an extensive portfolio of information about the department and spent a day visiting offices and classrooms, interviewing faculty and students. The report of the committee's findings will be submitted to university administration to help determine future responses to the department of religious studies.
"This was a tremendous learning experience for me," Rennie said. "It allowed me an intimate access to the workings of another department in my own discipline that few academics ever have. It introduced me to the syllabi and curriculum of other scholars and another institution, which is always an inspiring process."
Rennie, who holds the Vira I. Heinz Chair in Religion, has been with Westminster since 1994. He earned an undergraduate degree, master's, and Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Contact Rennie at (724) 946-7151 or e-mail brennie@westminster.edu for additional information.
