Faculty List

Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D.

Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Joined Alma College Faculty in 2006
SAC 352
(989) 463-7136
Office Hours: MWF 9:30-10:30, Tu. 2:00-4:00

The Reverend Sun Myung Moon has argued - echoing a popular modern notion - that, "The essence of all religions is the same... most of the teachings of the major world religions are the same at their core." On the other hand, religion scholar Stephen Prothero recently wrote, "The world's religions do converge when it comes to ethics, but they diverge sharply on doctrine, ritual, mythology, experience, and law. These differences may not matter to mystics or philosophers of religion, but they matter to ordinary religious people."

In between these two sentiments there are many interesting conversations to be had. What is the "essence" of any given religion, or of "religion" itself? Is religion one thing, nothing, or many things? Who speaks for religion(s)? How do religious beliefs, practices, and traditions affect the way people conduct themselves in private life, society, and the world at large?

I invite anyone who is interested in exploring these questions - through critical reading, vigorous in-class debate, and careful written argument - to join me in these conversations, which I believe contribute to the college's mission of preparing graduates who "think critically, serve generously, lead purposefully, and live responsibly as stewards of the world they bequeath to future generations."

Education

  • Ph.D., Religion (Christian Theology and Ethics), Duke University
  • M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
  • B.A., Religious Studies, Kenyon College

Research Interests

Christian economic, social, and sexual ethics.

Recent Courses Taught

  • Jesus in Gospel and Film.  REL 240/340.
  • Introduction to World Religions.  REL 100.
  • Reformation.  REL 206/306.
  • Christianity.  REL 205/305.
  • Women, Gender, and Religion.  REL 202.
  • Religion and Sexuality.  FYS101.24.

Selected Book Publications

  • Jane S. Webster, co-editors.  Lady Parts: Biblical Women and 'The Vagina Monologues'.  Wipf & Stock.  November 20, 2012.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard.  The Protestant Ethic or the Spirit of Capitalism: Christians, Freedom, and Free Markets.  Cascade Books.  July 22, 2010.

Selected Articles

  • Feler Bose and Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  "Homo Economicus Meets Homo Religiosus: A Collaborative Undergraduate Course in Economics and Religion."  Christian Business Academy Review.  Spring 2013. Pp. 13-22.   April 15, 2013.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard.  "Modeling Lifelong Learning: Collaborative Teaching across Disciplinary Lines."  Teaching Theology and Religion.  2012. Volume 15. Issue 4.  October 4, 2012.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard.  "Family Planning; Jealousy and Envy; Welfare State."  Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics.  Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard.  "Matthew 18:21-35; 20:1-16; and 21:23-32."  Feasting on the Word Commentary: Year A, Volume 4.  Westminster John Knox Press (2011).  April 12, 2011.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  "Who's Afraid of 'The Vagina Monologues'? Christian Responses and Responsibility to Women on Campus and in the Global Community."  Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics.  30.2 (Fall/Winter 2010)  November 15, 2010.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  "Accepting Our Limitations: The Textbook as Crutch and Compromise."  Teaching Theology and Religion.  Volume 12, Issue 3, pp. 252-3.  July 3, 2009.
  • See More...

Selected Reviews

  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  Review of When "Spiritual But Not Religious" Is Not Enough, by Lillian Daniel.  Religion Dispatches.  (forthcoming)
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  Review of Comedy and Feminist Interpretation of the Bible, by Melissa A. Jackson.  Review of Biblical Literature.  February 2013. http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/8656_9504.pdf  February 20, 2012.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  Review of God and Money: A Theology of Money in a Globalizing World, by Nimi Wariboko.  Religious Studies Review.  March 2011. Vol. 37: 1 (38).  March 16, 2011.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  Review of Christian Theology and Market Economics, by Ian R. Harper and Samuel Gregg, eds..  Journal of the History of Economic Thought.  Vol. 32:2 (301-303).  May 11, 2010.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard, Ph.D..  Review of Transfiguring capitalism: an enquiry into religion and social change, by John Atherton.  Religious Studies Review.  2009. 35:4. 237  August 15, 2009.
  • Kathryn D. Blanchard.  Review of The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce, by Deirdre McCloskey (and four other books by A. Barrera, M. De La Torre, R. Peters, and J. Nelson).  Political Theology.  2009. 10. 1. 177-180.  March 1, 2009.
  • See More...

Selected Chapter Book Publications

  • "Do Less, Sit More, and Take Up the Easy Yoke." In Renew 52: Ideas to Change the Church, edited by David Lose, 100-101. http://cbpstore.luthersem.edu/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=65: Center for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, 2012.

Selected Creative Works

  • "A Protestant Liberal Defends Clerical Celibacy ."  Salon.  http://www.salon.com/2013/03/10/clerical_celibacy_isnt_all_about_sex_partner/.  March 10, 2013.
  • "Attack of the Spiritual But Not Religious."  The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-blanchard/attack-of-the-spiritual-but-not-religious_b_1942399.html.  October 5, 2012.
  • "The Bible Hates Homosexuality: So What?."  The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-blanchard/the-bible-hates-homosexuality-so-what_b_2118043.html.  November 16, 2012.
  • "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda: Be Nice!."  Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning Blogs.  http://wabashcenter.typepad.com/coulda_woulda_shoulda/.  February 9, 2013.
  • "Parent, Prophet, Con-Man, Spy: Who Was Reverend Moon?."  Religion Dispatches.  http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/6360/parent%2C_prophet%2C_con-man%2C_spy%3A_who_was_rev._moon/.  September 5, 2012.
  • "I've Got Tenure. How Depressing.."  The Chronicle of Higher Education.  February 2012.
  • See More...

Recent Presentations

  • With Michel Andraos, Ann Burlein.  "Does It Fit?: The Classroom as a Context for the Making and Testing of Knowledge."  American Academy of Religion.  Atlanta, GA.  November 2010.
  • "If Your Vagina Could Talk, What Would It Say? An Interview with Sarah and Hagar."  Society of Biblical Literature.  Atlanta, GA.  November 2010.
  • "Re-writing the Bible, One 'Vagina Monologue' at a Time."  Re-writing the Bible Conference.  Glasgow, Scotland.  June 2010.
  • "Who's Afraid of 'The Vagina Monologues'? Christian Responses and Responsibility to Women on Campus and in the Global Community."  Society of Christian Ethics.  San Jose, CA.  January 8, 2010.

Selected External Research Grants

  • Kate Blanchard and Kevin O'Brien.  "Prophets Meet Profits: Christian Ethics and Free Market Environmentalism."  Louisville Institute.  Effective: August 1, 2012.

Professional Memberships

Service to the College

 

Students at Alma College are involved in any of nearly 75 campus organizations, including fraternities and sororities, student government, academic honorary societies, campus media, intramural sports, the performing arts and worship groups.

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Graduate Profile

Glenn Fischer

Glenn Fischer
Graduation: 1990
Major: International Business and French

After Glenn Fischer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international business and French, Europe was his destination. His skills quickly landed him a job in consulting in Germany, where he currently lives.

“At Alma, I learned how to put my own, unique vision on the line and explain that vision to my peers,” he says. “It’s the same in the corporate worlds. You can craft a solution for an existing model, or you can create something entirely unique.”

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