Summer Program in DC

Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life

Summer 2023

A summer intensive for Baylor students to explore the social benefits of religious communities, while undergoing intentional spiritual formation as well as professional development for a life of service and leadership.

The program will prioritize rising juniors and seniors

  • Spend 8 weeks in Washington D.C.
  • All expenses paid (food, housing, travel)
  • Interdisciplinary coursework on topics related to religious practices and their social impact
  • Full-time internships at the intersection of religion and politics
  • Professional and leadership development
  • Networking Opportunities
  • Spiritual Development

Coursework May Include:

• Religion and Society: What is religion, and what should its relationship be to other realms of life? How should religious practices inform other realms of life, including politics, business, social entrepreneurship, and so on? Students will think theoretically here about how religion should structure our understanding of the world.

• Religion and American History: What role did religion play in the American founding? How have diverse religious communities contributed to America’s social fabric? How have religion and race intersected in the formation of American public life?

• Religion and the Common Good: Does religion make a positive difference for American society? How has religious commitments affected America’s prisons, marriage and families, public health, etc.? In this section students would think empirically about religion’s effects on American society.

• The Constitution and Religious Freedom: What is the scope of religious freedom? How have religious liberties been interpreted by the Court throughout American history? What are the differences between corporate and individual religious liberties, and how should we navigate the conflict between religious liberties and other putative rights?

To apply, please contact Dr. Thomas Hibbs: Thomas_Hibbs@Baylor.edu