The Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion is an interdisciplinary research hub focused on exploring the interplay of rhetorical practices, racial issues, and religious discussions in society. Our mission aims to cultivate critical scholarship, encourage inclusive dialogue, and create innovative teaching methods that engage with the intricate connections between rhetoric, race, and religion in both historical and contemporary settings.
1. Engage in innovative and groundbreaking research that explores the intricate ways in which rhetoric not only influences but is also influenced by the complex dynamics of racial and religious identities, beliefs, and practices.
2. Examine and dissect the various rhetorical strategies utilized within racial and religious discourses, drawing from both historical contexts and present-day examples to illuminate their evolution and impact.
3. Investigate the ways in which religious rhetoric shapes and transforms racial dynamics, while also considering how racial contexts can influence religious expressions across various cultural and social environments.
4. Create comprehensive educational materials and training initiatives designed to deepen awareness of the intricate relationship between rhetoric, race, and religion, fostering a more profound understanding of these complex interactions.
5. Encourage and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among academics and researchers in the fields of rhetoric, religious studies, history, critical and cultural studies, and other related disciplines. This initiative aims to bring together diverse perspectives and methodologies, fostering innovative scholarship and enriching the understanding of complex societal issues.
6. Actively engage with various communities to cultivate meaningful dialogue and promote a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between rhetoric, race, and religion. By facilitating discussions that include a wide range of voices and experiences, we can work towards greater empathy and collective solutions to shared challenges.
The Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion actively organizes a variety of virtual conferences, lectures, and symposiums throughout the calendar year. These engaging programs are designed to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration among scholars/practitioners engaging the intersections of rhetoric, race, and religion. Our mission is to establish welcoming and nurturing environments where researchers—whether they are just beginning their academic journeys or are seasoned experts—can confidently share their ideas, receive constructive feedback, and refine their scholarly work. Through these initiatives, we aim to inspire innovative thinking and foster a community dedicated to advancing knowledge in these critical fields.
On November 5, 2025, the Center for the Study of Rhetoric, Race, and Religion hosted a book talk by Matthew Boedy on his new book, The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy.
Dr. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Howard is the Acquisitions Editor for Media and Communication at Peter Lang. After obtaining degrees from Oxford University and Uppsala University (Sweden), she was awarded a PhD. from Cardiff University in 2020. She joined Peter Lang in 2023 and acquired titles in all areas of Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, and Media Studies.
How does prophetic rhetoric aid in pursuing justice in the public square? Through an investigation of prophetic rhetoric traditions and types, this research posits that the prophetic rhetor, as “hope dealer,” offers hearers a pathway to “imaginative abundance” for responding to and mobilizing against systems of harm. Agitative rhetoric is redeemed as a necessary tool of liberation in opposition to calls for more palatable rhetorical forms. Hope – inaugurated and eschatological – is considered indispensable to prophetic rhetoric's role in the public square.
Your support will be instrumental not only in sustaining our center's operations but also in driving several key initiatives critical to our mission. This funding will enable us to enhance our equipment, expand our programs, and provide the necessary resources to serve our community effectively.
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