Description

Play is often described as the work of childhood, but what is its role in the life of an adult learner and teacher? What might there be to learn from and through play? This interactive play-shop will be one that is inherently experimental and will require a level of openness, vulnerability, and risktaking. Participants will play, create, imagine, wonder and engage in movement that is open to all levels of ability and capability. Participants will engage in a “both and” experience where they will be both experiencing pedagogies of play and thinking deeply about play theory and the physiological and neurological benefits of play. There will be time for planning and workshopping how to incorporate pedagogies of play in participants'own contexts. 

Aims: 

• Analyze the theological, pedagogical, and neurological foundations of play as a worthwhile academic practice.
• Define and redefine what a pedagogy of play might look like in practice.
• Recollect personal experiences of play.
• Engage in a variety of play techniques and experiences.
• Design a tangible course element (e.g., an assignment, a class experience) that incorporates a pedagogy of play.
• Cultivate a community of practice with fellow educators for continued support and collaborative experimentation.
• Examine the relationship between play and justice, focusing on how a playful posture can disrupt classroom power dynamics and foster more equitable forms of dialogue.
• Have fun!

Eligibility

• Tenured, tenure track, continuing term, and/or full-time contingency.
• Doctoral degree awarded by the time of application
• Teaching religion, religious studies, or theology in an accredited college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada
• Institutional support and personal commitment to participate fully in all roundtable sessions.

Application Materials

Application Contact Information form

Cover letter

An introductory letter that describes your teaching context and addresses why you want to be part of this collaborative community, including what you hope to get out of it and what you might contribute to it. (Up to 500 words)

Brief essay

Play is often described as the work of childhood, but what is its role in the life of an adult learner and teacher? Tell us a story about a memorable instance of play from any point in your life—be it a moment of unstructured joy, a competitive game, or a creative experiment. In your reflection, please connect this personal experience to your professional practice. How does this memory inform your understanding of play as a pedagogical tool, and why are you drawn to explore it more deeply within this collaborative community? (Up to 500 words)

We welcome your creativity and imagination in how you tell this story. If you find that speaking your response feels more natural or lifegiving than writing, you are welcome to submit an audio recording instead. Please upload your voice note (approx. 3-4 minutes) to a cloud service (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, youtube, voicethread, etc.), ensure the link is accessible, and paste it into the application for submission. It is essential that if you choose this option that the audio file is accessible.

Academic CV (4-page limit)

A letter of institutional support for your full participation in this workshop from your Department Chair, Academic Dean, Provost, Vice President, or President. Please have this recommendation uploaded directly to your application according to the online application instructions.