Religion, belief and faith identities in learning and teaching
I engaged in the ‘Watch & Listen’ resources, and the more we hear about the intersectionalities of faith , I believe the better.
I have always been transparent about my faith. I share this to students to help them understand who I am holistically as a Creative Practitioner. There are so many factors which create us as a whole being and our beliefs systems shape so much of who we are, whether in formal practice, by going to a building or our own personal spirituality or not.
For the last eight years teaching design on BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring, I have been aware of the prayer room and where it is situated at the LCF Mare Street campus. As part of the induction to our students and campus I have highlighted the prayer room, so those students who would like access to it know where it is. Over the years I have known students to use this facility successfully. Pray for me is a daily act and I too have had the opportunity to use this room. I believe this small room within our campus makes for a more inclusive environment and respects the belief systems in their diversity across the campus.
Religion in Britain: Challenges for Higher Education
“Hefce has in recent years funded research and leadership training on these issues23. A central concept that has emerged is the idea of ‘religious literacy’…They do not understand the importance that religion has for some individuals and groups, in terms of a sense of the spiritual and/or in the structure of their family and social lives, and as a source of ethical orientation and/or community membership, or solidarity with groups in other parts of the world.” I would say this is true of myself as a member of an ethnic minority. I have not once until this programme of study ever heard of our institutional Leaders discuss faith + yet it is an integral part of my daily life, my family and my communities.
So is there more we can do in our Art Colleges about Faith? I believe so, for it affects so many of the ethnic minorities, it’s central to our lives!
Hi Josh – thank you for your beautiful blog. Like you it is thoughtful, considered and applies to your life and practice, and the honesty in which you approach the subject with students. I am inspired to read how important your faith is to you, that prayer is a part of your day – it is mine too, though I don’t have a particular faith. Odd that I should write that – actually I do, which is probably closest to Paganism. I believe in the journey of the soul. And I welcome this opportunity to talk (write) openly and to learn. I hope we can come together as a group because I miss that humanness. What would I like you to add – I would love to see how your faith impacts on your creative practice, maybe a garment, a drawing, stitch. Take care.
Hi Josh,
This a really concise and beautifully written blog post.
This quote I think says a lot about UAL and its approach to faith “I have not once until this programme of study ever heard of our institutional Leaders discuss faith + yet it is an integral part of my daily life, my family and my communities.
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I would like to see more images and maybe some more of your work in the blog post but I enjoyed reading your honesty and openness.
Hi Josh,
This was very helpful and important for me to read. I know where the prayer room is on the campus where I work, however I have not highlighted it to my students, and I am embarrassed to admit this. Your blog explains why doing this is so important and impactful and not doing it is even more impactful but negatively so. I will absolutely be doing this at the start of the next academic year.
Thanks, Claire
Hi Josh, thank you for sharing your experience about your faith within the context of UAL. It’s great to read how this is something that you bring with you into the school setting and how acutely aware you are of your students needs by highlighting facilities that may be relevant to them
hi Josh, it was really lovely to read your post, especially to understand how important prayer is in your life. I don’t follow a formal religion, but I too practice a form of prayer I guess, taking some quiet time to reflect and to put out some positivity and love into the world. I too have always made a point of showing students the prayer/quite room at CSM when I show them round. However apart from this, I must admit I have not spent much time considering faith in the university setting. As you so eloquently point out faith is a very important part of many people’s lives and core to their identity, and this unit and reading your blogs has given me the opportunity to take some space to think about religion in relation to my students and creativity. Thanks, Rach
My positionality on this subject at its core is my spiritual upbringing. Having been nurtured in a culture, firstly by my parents which encouraged prayer as a personal, familial and then communal practice. This being deep rooted in daily, weekly and then exercised and celebrated in the Christian calendar was and is a normality. Importantly, praying as an act of worship to God with gratitude, exercised when meeting with others. For example, our very way of greeting as Punjabi Christians uses the words “Salam ji’. This comes from the Hebrew word Shalom understood as ‘peace’. With ‘ji’ as a gender neutral suffix placed after a first name as a term of respect. Collectively becoming the words “peace be unto you”. Even today, if I meet a member of my community outside, whether they speak in English or Punjabi, I will always respond with “Salam ji”, for I am hard-wired in this way. Also, I strongly believe it brings forth a sense of reverence to those whom are my seniors and a sense of humility in my approach. I guess, I carry this to my students. Ultimately, a demonstration of LOVE.