Twentieth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Science

Abstract

This focused discussion summarizes, examines, and discusses the possibilities, challenges, and benefits of publishing undergraduate-faculty collaborations. We explore whether this type of collaboration could be a viable, replicable, and productive approach to addressing some of the challenges facing the humanities, including the need to increase public awareness regarding the purpose of the humanities, attract more humanities majors, and provide students with an experiential understanding of the benefits (and potential job prospects) accompanying a humanities-based education. The public discourse surrounding topics studied in the humanities is frequently misinformed and unproductive. Often, undergraduate students offer more sophisticated, nuanced, and meaningful analysis. With this in mind, I developed several in-class discussions for a chapter published by “Macmillan,” crediting specific students for their contributions. The following semester I assigned the Macmillan chapter, and the impact was unexpected: the students became more actively engaged. The increased excitement in the classroom led to essays we were able to develop and publish in the “Huffington Post,” which brought positive attention to the humanities center and an increased interest in religious studies. The discussion will include a panel of four, with myself and three of the students involved in the publications. I will summarize the project and introduce the students, who will offer their perspective on the experience, particularly in relation to how the project influenced their interest in the humanities. I anticipate the audience discussion being lively, and the feedback will likely be invaluable for planning new directions and further publications.