A duoethnography on teaching the complexities of spirituality: “Not the shark, but in the water”

• In Event: Spiritual explorations in the 21st century

Abstract

This paper explored the complexities faced by two faculty members who collaborated and co-taught a special topics course on spirituality in higher education for a graduate preparation program at a 4-year public state institution located in the Southeast. The special topics course provided in-depth content on the issue of spirituality and how it has been addressed and studied in higher education environments. The primary research question for the paper focused on effective teaching practices to best deliver this important, yet complex, course topic – what is the pedagogy for teaching spirituality in higher education? A duoethnography was implemented by the faculty collaborators to dialogue on critical, contemplative, and sacred philosophies which described the differing themes and forces guiding their pedagogical thoughts.

Authors

• Ricardo Montelongo, Sam Houston State University

• J. Cody Nielsen, Western Michigan University