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Engaging Differences of Religious Belief: Student Experiences with an Intergroup Dialogue Course

Hoefle, Sara Nicole
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1387464866

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Higher Education Administration.
This study examined the experiences of eleven students who engaged in conversations across religious difference during an intergroup dialogue course. Phenomenology was utilized in order to best discover the essence of the shared dialogue experience of these participants. Two, semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes in length were conducted with each participant. Individual case profiles were then created and later aggregated to determine the findings for this research study. The participants in this study came from varying religious backgrounds and had prior experience talking about religious doctrine and practices with family and friends. These earlier conversations did not necessarily help or hinder these students as they engaged one another in conversation during the dialogue course but they did serve as a type of foundation for talking about religion with others. Throughout the semester, students shared their ideas, perspectives, and beliefs about religion as course facilitators introduced such controversial topics as abortion, interfaith dating and marriage, and religious dress. As these discussions among classmates were occurring, students were learning how to ask questions of others, to be less judgmental, to challenge the stereotypes associated with varying religions, and to further identify with their own religion. As we encourage administrators and faculty to facilitate student engagement across differences, we need to look at additional avenues that assist students in exploring their religious beliefs and interacting with religious difference. Additionally, we need to continue to examine the introduction of trending and controversial topics to determine if this approach is an effective method for encouraging dialogue. Further research related to religious dialogue ought to include examining whether prior experiences with religious dialogue helps or hinders students with engaging their peers in conversation, as well as the long term impact of the intergroup dialogue course on the perspectives of self and others of religious difference.
Dafina Stewart (Advisor)
Michael Coomes (Committee Member)
Christina Lunceford (Committee Member)
Kenneth Pargament (Committee Member)
225 p.
Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Pastoral Counseling; Religion; Spirituality
religion; intergroup dialogue; dialogue

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hoefle, S. N. (2014). Engaging Differences of Religious Belief: Student Experiences with an Intergroup Dialogue Course [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1387464866

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hoefle, Sara. Engaging Differences of Religious Belief: Student Experiences with an Intergroup Dialogue Course. 2014. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1387464866.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hoefle, Sara. "Engaging Differences of Religious Belief: Student Experiences with an Intergroup Dialogue Course." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1387464866

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1387464866
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.