The Center was established in 1989 by the Indiana University Board of Trustees to explore the connection between religion and other aspects of American culture. We are a research and public outreach institute that supports the ongoing scholarly discussion of the nature, terms, and dynamics of religion in America. As a program of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, the Center pursues its aim as part of the mission of liberal and humane learning. It seeks to elevate among students, faculty, and the larger American public the understanding of the influence of religion in the lives of people.
Presenting religious content in the classroom can be a tricky business. The Center is pleased to share instructional materials developed by its researchers and participating scholars for use in the classroom. From college syllabi and teaching modules to videos, these materials help educators incorporate religious topics in the classroom.
Kathryn Gin Lum and Paul Harvey have recently released "The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Race in American History" featuring 34 essays.
Jennifer Graber published "The Gods of Indian Country: Religion and the Struggle for the American West," which traces the struggle between Native- and Anglo-Americans over a 100 year period, examining both Catholic and Protestant efforts to evangelize Native Americans and shape federal policy
