abstract: In the current context of fiscal austerity as well as neo-colonial criticisms, the discipline of religious studies has been challenged to critically assess its teaching methods as well as articulate its relevance in the modern university setting. Responding to these needs, this dissertation explores the educational outcomes on undergraduate students as a result of religious studies curriculum. This research employs a robust quantitative methodology designed to assess the impact of the courses while controlling for a number of covariates. Based on data collected from pre- and post-course surveys of a combined 1,116 students enrolled at Arizona State University (ASU) and two area community colleges, the research examines student change across five outcomes: attributional complexity, multi-religious awareness, commitment to social justice, individual religiosity, and the first to be developed, neo-colonial measures. The sample was taken in the Fall of 2009 from courses including Religions of the World, introductory Islamic studies courses, and a control group consisting of engineering and political science students. The findings were mixed. From the "virtues of the humanities" standpoint, select within group changes showed a statistically significant positive shift, but when compared across groups and the control group, there were no statistically significant findings after controlling for key variables. The students' pre-course survey score was the best predictor of their post-course survey score. In response to the neo-colonial critiques, the non-findings suggest the critiques have been overstated in terms of their impact pedagogically or in the classroom. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Religious Studies 2011

This study will investigate the WCC concept of &bdquo / Dialogue between Christianity and other Living Faiths‟, and its contributions in Asia, more specifically its impact on the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia. The study will focus on an Indian theologian, Stanley J Samartha, one of the most influential figures in the promotion of this concept within the WCC. The research will entail an analysis of Samartha‟s views on Christian dialogue with other faiths, and a critical assessment of his work in the field of &bdquo / mission‟, through his publications and various WCC documents. The contextual relevance of the study is highlighted by several spheres of tensions and conflicts: a) in the global context: the clash of cultures / b) in the ecumenical world: the divide between evangelicals and ecumenical / c) in the Asian context: the tension between dialogue and mission, between gospel and context / and d) in the Indonesian context: the ongoing tension between Muslims and Christians, and the tension between &bdquo / local gospel‟ and the Biblical gospel.

This study will investigate the WCC concept of &bdquo / Dialogue between Christianity and other Living Faiths‟, and its contributions in Asia, more specifically its impact on the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia. The study will focus on an Indian theologian, Stanley J Samartha, one of the most influential figures in the promotion of this concept within the WCC. The research will entail an analysis of Samartha‟s views on Christian dialogue with other faiths, and a critical assessment of his work in the field of &bdquo / mission‟, through his publications and various WCC documents. The contextual relevance of the study is highlighted by several spheres of tensions and conflicts: a) in the global context: the clash of cultures / b) in the ecumenical world: the divide between evangelicals and ecumenical / c) in the Asian context: the tension between dialogue and mission, between gospel and context / and d) in the Indonesian context: the ongoing tension between Muslims and Christians, and the tension between &bdquo / local gospel‟ and the Biblical gospel.