Yay! Project Ideas!

On Thursday, I am asking you to blog about an idea.  This will be the first step to getting started on a project that you will work on throughout the semester.    For your idea, I want you to brainstorm about some topic ideas and a way (or ways) to approach it.  There are millions of possible topics that connect religion, LGBT identities, and politics, so the world is your oyster.  If you are interested, for example, in LGBT communities of faith, check out the links on this website or browse the resources at the LGBT Religious Archive Network.  Another website with resources and online exhibits is OUThistory.org. (There are many other websites and resources-- Google away!)

To make this more concrete, you have two options for the final project.

Option 1 is a 8-10 page research paper. It will focus on a particular event, ritual, organization, person, issue (...). 

Option 2 is a little more off-grid, but the links I provide and the brainstorm ideas below should give some helpful suggestions.  This option will combine a "public education" component and a shorter (4-5 page) academic paper.  Here are some ideas for the second option:

• Organize a public film screening, followed by a guided discussion about the film.   The paper component would analyze and contextualize the film. (for film ideas, see the resources webpage)
• Assemble a website or an exhibit about a specific topic.  Your paper would present an overview of that topic.  (Here is an example of an ISP project by Fred Carilles that gives an overview of LGBT history by decades, and here is a large online exhibit about the Council on Religion and the Homosexual.  This idea would work best if focused on a very specific event or issue)
• Variation of above: an online timeline that notes important events in LGBT Religious history (perhaps significant events or stories in a particular religious group's efforts to address homosexuality and/or gender variance).  For resources on LGBT Religious history, see The LGBT Religious Archive Network or The Twice Blessed Collection on  LGBT Jews.
• Put together an audio project or podcast with interviews and commentary.  Again, the paper would present a written overview.
• Write an editorial that intervenes in a contemporary issue relevant to religion and LGBT politics. (See, for example, this editorial at the Religion Dispatches blog).  The academic paper component would approach the argument you make in the shorter piece with greater depth and nuance. 
• Organize a lesson plan for a highschool class or religious education event (or...)  Again, the paper would present a written overview.
• Come up with your own idea that combines a public education/advocacy component with a short paper that approaches the same topic for an academic audience.  
• If any of you are interested in working on linked resources in groups, I'm also open to suggestions.

These ideas are intended to get you started.  The task now is to unleash your curiosity and see where it roams.  If you have questions or ideas that you want to run by me, just sent an email to me at hwhite@ncf.edu.