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Spend the month of July in New York working on a research or writing project of your choice with access to libraries and research facilities at Columbia University, Union, Auburn, and Jewish Theological Seminaries. We are now recieving applications for the 2008 Colloquium. Queries are welcome at any time; the application deadline is March 1, 2008 At a time when religion appears to be at the heart of humanity's gravest conflicts, it is clear that an increased understanding of how religion affects our lives is not an option: it is a necessity for survival. Since 1983, CrossCurrents has sponsored the research colloquium because we want to have an impact not only on how religion is taught and studied, but also on the way it influences events that touch us all. To that end
we invite applications for a fellowship that will allow you to spend a month
in a collaborative learning community, diverse in race, age, gender,
religion and intellectual discipline working on a project of your design. The
successful applicant will have a capacity for integrating his or her faith tradition
with the life of the mind, and will outline a project that will be of interest
to those outside his or her area of academic specialization or religious tradition. In
addition to research and writing projects, we also encourage projects
that incorporate the creative arts.
The Colloquium runs for four weeks during July. Those who are selected for a fellowship are referred to as "Coolidge Scholars" after William A. Coolidge, the principal benefactor of this program. Each Coolidge Scholar works on his or her own project, but benefits by being able to collaborate with others in a group of twenty other scholars and resource theologians. The collegial relationships that develop within the group are a crucial element of this program and one of its distinctive aspects. The
daily schedule allows a balance of structured and unstructured time, including: 1)
Time for individual research, reflection and consultation with fellows and
staff; The
Colloquium is residential and provides fellows with room and board (vegetarian/kosher
food available) and access to libraries and research facilities at Columbia University,
Teachers College, Union, Auburn and Jewish Theological Seminaries. Participants
are required to pay a $125 registration fee upon acceptance plus the cost of travel. 1)
Title and brief description of the applicant's proposed project. The
successful applicant will be capable of writing for a publication of the caliber
of CrossCurrents. Normally, fellows will hold doctorates; some will have
professional degrees; a few will qualify by reason of equivalent experience. If you have any further questions
about the Colloquium you may contact: Email: colloquium@crosscurrents.org Applications should be mailed to: CrossCurrents, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115 no later than March 1st each year. Selected participants will be notified by April 1st. What prior year fellows have said about the colloquium: "The Colloquium allowed me to redefine myself as a working intellectual. It supported my efforts to allocate more time to creative and academic writing. It allowed me to think, for a brief time, that nothing was more important than the reading and writing I was doing." "The Colloquium was pivotal for me. It helped to sharpen my focus and affirm my concerns." "The Colloquium was enormously helpful in affirming my project and in introducing me to models of faith (especially Jewish) which were helpful in opening up my research. I want to say thank you for one of the best experiences of my life." "A magnificent experience." "Extremely enjoyable, stimulating, and valuable on a personal, intellectual, and spiritual level. The informal conversations among the fellows and staff were among the most moving and the most interesting I have had for many years." "Timely, important, and one of the few organized efforts to understand the complexities of the interface between secular society and religious life. At a time when religious absolutism seems to be increasing and religious expression seems relegated to catch phrases and bumper stickers, ARIL / CrossCurrents has a very difficult but important role in keeping the intellectual component alive, vibrant and meaningful. The colloquium is unique." "Rich and rewarding; the high point to date of my academic career." "One of the most significant experiences of my life." |
