Criteria for Choosing Participants
All participants will be chosen with attention to the following criteria:
A current scholarly project that has a strong relationship to this topical field.
Openness to new thinking, to being challenged, and to gaining new perspectives. As change agents in most fields tend to be at the more junior or middle range of their career trajectory, special attention will be given to inviting individuals for whom this seminar might make a substantial impact in their professional development.
Clarity in articulating what one hopes to gain from a cross-cultural encounter.
Commitment to working collaboratively.
This contrasts with the predisposition of some western academics to work alone. Since one of the basic aims is to encourage participants to contribute to a theme-oriented book, they will need to be good at interacting with each other and committed to collaboration.
Influence and credibility within their respective communities or at least the promise of becoming influential.
One of the seminar goals is that this experience will have a catalytic effect for Christian theological and political thought and action, both in North America and Africa.
Gender representation.
Communication skills.
Commitment to follow-up work:
Making a difference with what you learned in the seminar, by means of teaching, writing, projects, and other communications.
Plans by one's host institution to support the project, especially in its follow-up phases.
Application Deadline Extended:
January 16, 2009
Send both hard and electronic copy.
Who should apply?
- Professors at CCCU member institutions in a variety of disciplines, such as theology, political science, philosophy, history, sociology, international relations, law, and area studies.
- African Christian professors and other intellectuals in a variety of disciplines, serving either in Africa or elsewhere.
Send all materials to
- Joel Carpenter, Director
Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity
Calvin College
Hekman Library
1855 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546 US
jcarpent@calvin.edu