Bilal Ansari, Faculty Associate in Muslim Pastoral Theology, has been invited to join an exploration of community-engaged learning in Islamic Studies supported by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.

The project is described as a year-long collaboration to consider “how the Islamic Studies classroom can integrate community-engaged learning opportunities that (1) encourage self-awareness, critical thinking and civic engagement among our students, and (2) are co-created with and responsive to the needs of community stakeholders. We would like to explore pedagogy that is situated, contextual, and brings to life the complexity of Islam and Muslim communities, and the richness of intra-community debates around theology, identity, and practice.”

The scholars involved are those who “take seriously community-engaged and experiential models of teaching and learning in Islamic Studies and are willing to reflect on their experiences with this pedagogy in the company of others.”