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About Religious Literacy Program

Northwestern embraces an expansive vision of diversity, one that includes an understanding of the importance of religious identity and of religion as a social institution that impacts individuals’ lives. The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) is excited to announce the launch of our Religious Literacy Program, an initiative in collaboration with the Office of the President and various campus partners. Aligned with Northwestern's guiding principles and strategic priorities, the Religious Literacy Program is designed to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusivity across religious differences and educate our campus community on role of religion in social, political, and cultural life. 

Learning Goals

  • Develop a deep understanding of religious diversity and the complex ways religion influences social, political, and cultural life, promoting empathy across different faiths within the Northwestern community. 
  • Provide participants with tools to critically analyze the intersection of religious identities with societal structures of power, privilege, and marginalization, and issues of inclusion, equity, and belonging. 
  • Stimulate discussions that unpack the roots and repercussions of religious intolerance, contrasting it with liberatory practices of understanding and inclusion. 
  • Utilize a range of synchronous (workshops, panels, speaker events) and asynchronous (newsletter series, resource guides) educational offerings to enhance engagement with religious literacy topics and cater to diverse learning preferences. 
  • Create spaces for respectful dialogue and community engagement through moderated reading and discussion groups that delve into themes of religion, race, faith, and diversity. 
  • Equip participants with practical knowledge and skills to effectively navigate religious diversity, address religious intolerance within their communities, and promote pluralistic understanding. 
  • Continuously enhance the program's responsiveness and relevance by incorporating community feedback and suggestions regarding topics, speakers, and formats.