RICHARD NEWTON
http://www.sowingtheseed.org
rwhnewton -@- gmail.com
Click here to download my Press Kit.
Click here to download my Curriculum Vitae.
Click here to download my Ministerial Resume.
EDUCATION
PhD student (2009 —)
Claremont Graduate University
Critical Comparative Scriptures
Advisor: Dr. Vincent L. Wimbush
MDiv cum laude (2006-2009)
Perkins School of Theology
Southern Methodist University
BA (2002-2005)
Religion and Anthropology (double major)
Texas Christian University
RESEARCH LANGUAGES
English, Spanish, French, Koine Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Latin
FELLOWSHIPS & HONORS
Maguire Intercollegiate Award– Teaching Assistantship, Claremont Graduate University, Fall 2011
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship–Honorable Mention, National Research Council of the National Academies, 2010.
John Dempster Doctoral Fellowship, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, 2010-2011
Fund for Theological Education Doctoral Fellowship, Fund for Theological Education, 2009-2011
Paul K. Richter and Evalyn E. Cook Richter Memorial Fellowship, Claremont Graduate University, 2009-2011
Nancy Underwood Graduate Student Leadership and Achievement, Southern Methodist University, 2008
Jean Audrey Powers’ Leadership for Change Award, Pacific School of Religion, 2008
Special Seminary Scholarship, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, 2008
Archaeological Dig Fellowship, Biblical Archaeology Society, 2008
John Hicks Fellowship for Biblical Research, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, 2008
Charles and Elizabeth Perkins-Prothro Fellowship, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, 2006-2009
Fund for Theological Education Ministry Fellowship, Fund for Theological Education, 2006
Austin L. Porterfield Award for Best Undergraduate Research Paper, Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology, Texas Christian University, 2004
Church Vocation Grant, Department of Religion, Texas Christian University, 2002-2005
Eagle Scout Scholarship, Boy Scouts of America, 2002
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
KECK GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
Instructor, ALS 360: Business, Science, and Communications, Fall 2011, Designed and executed a writing course for life scientists. Students learned fundamental research, writing, and professional skills. A team industry review served as the capstone project for the course.
CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
Instructor, LANG 161: Academic Writing and Speaking Program, Summer 2011, Engaged language and cultural issues in order to enhance the international student’s ability to succeed in graduate school. Operating under the theory that in order to learn a language, one must learn the culture, the students studied American culture as it influences daily academic life.
Presenter, CGU Writing Center Workshops, 2010, Created and facilitated workshops on “Presenting Conference Papers,” “Managing a Graduate Workload,” and “Writing Fellowship and Scholarship Applications.”
Invited Lecturer, McNair Scholars Program, Summer 2010 and 2011, Taught high-achieving college students about developing a literature review and doing research at the graduate level.
Consultant, CGU Writing Center, 2010, Advised graduate students and faculty in all aspects of the academic planning, research, and writing processes.
Private Tutor, REL 344 NT Biblical Archaeology: The Hellenistic Roman Period, 2010, Designed multimedia tutorial sessions in consultation with instructor to supplement the course and prepare MA, MDiv, and MTS students for course examinations.
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Private Tutor, OT 6301/2: Interpretation of the Old Testament I/II and NT 6301/2: Interpretation of the New Testament I &II, 2006-2009, Worked in consultation with instructors to assist MDiv and MTS students in crafting biblical exegesis papers.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Staff Tutor, RELI 10003: Understanding Religion: The Bible and RELI 10013: Understanding Religion: World Religions, 2004-2005, Gave lectures twice-weekly at the John S. Justin Athletic Center for NCAA athletes needing additional help in introductory courses.
Private Tutor, RELI 10003: Understanding Religion: The Bible, 2004-2005, Worked in consultation with instructors to supplement the course and prepare students for assignments and exams.
RESEARCH & SCHOLARLY PROJECTS
Research Assistant, The Institute for Signifying Scriptures, Claremont Graduate University, 2009—, Staffed the “Reading Scriptures, Reading America: Interruptions, Orientation, and Mimicry among U.S. Communities of Color” national conference and the premiere of the ethnographic film, “Finding God in the City of Angels.” Participated in ISS programming.
Participant, “The Bible in Global Context: Reading the Bible in Hong Kong and Taiwan,” Global Theological Education, Southern Methodist University, January, 2009, Participated in colloquia with various religious leaders, theologians, and Religious Studies professors in order to consider the role and effects of the Bible in Hong Kong and Taiwanese communities. Directed by Dr. Sze-Kar Wan.
Summer Volunteer, Bethsaida Excavation Project, Israel, 2008, Participated in an archaeological excavation at Et-Tell. Daily duties included digging, diary recording, mapping, and surveying. Directed by Dr. Rami Arav and Nicolae Roddy.
Blogger, http://www.sowingtheseed.org, 2007—, Hosting critical reflections on the role of religion in everyday life via photography, video, essays, and social networking.
Research Assistant, Maya Research Program, 2004-2007, Aided Dr. Grace Bascope in conducting and organizing ethnographic research of a Yucatec Maya village. Duties included map-making, database work, and survey collection.
PUBLICATIONS
“Three Versions of Judas—Book Review.” Biblical Interpretation. Forthcoming Fall 2011. http://www.brill.nl/biblical-interpretation-0
“Transforming Scriptures—Book Review.” Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Religion. Forthcoming Fall 2011. http:// www.raceandreligion.com/JRER/ Book_Reviews.html
“President Bartlet’s Bully Pulpit.” In Media Res. June 28, 2011. http://mediacommons.futureofthebook.org/imr/2011 /06/28/ president-bartlets-bully-pulpit
“Gleaning Alex Haley’s Scriptural Roots.” In Media Res. March 21, 2011. http://mediacommons.futureofthebook.org/ imr/ 2011/03/21/gleaning-alex-haleys-scriptural-roots
PRESENTATIONS & CONFERENCES
“When Texts Sell: The Scriptural Economies of “Macabre” Religion and “Born-Again” Relationships.” Paper Presenter, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, November 19-22, 2011.
“Excavating the Significance of Nazareth Via the Church of the Nazarene.” Paper Presenter, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, November 19-22, 2011.
“Understanding Human and Arousal.” Moderator and Respondent, The Second Annual Southern California McNair Scholars Program: Dynamic Discourse: Representing Revolutionary Research, Claremont Graduate University, October 1, 2011.
“Excavating the Significance of Nazareth Via the Church of the Nazarene,” Paper Presenter, Western Commission on the Study of Religion, March 28, 2011.
“Glimpses of Alex Haley’s Scriptural Roots,” Paper Presenter, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, November 20-23, 2010.
“Glimpses of Alex Haley’s Scriptural Roots,” Paper presenter, Comparative Scriptures Colloquium, Claremont Graduate University, October 19, 2010.
“Economy of Space, Place, and Land,” Moderator and Respondent, The First Annual Southern California McNair Scholars Program: Changing the Face of Academia, Claremont Graduate University, October 1-2, 2010.
“Excavating the Significance of Nazareth Via the Church of Nazarene,” Paper Presenter, New Testament Colloquium, Claremont Graduate University, April 6, 2010.
“Excavating the Significance of Nazareth Via the Church of the Nazarene,” Paper Presenter, Wesleyan Theological Society Annual Meeting, March 5, 2010.
“Power in the Name: Identity politics in the Church of the Nazarene,” Paper Presenter, Claremont Graduate University’s Annual Field Research Methods Conference, Claremont Graduate University, November 30, 2009.
“Sowing the Seed: Conversations about an Anthropological Hermeneutic,” Lecture Series, Northaven UMC, Dallas; Moody Memorial UMC, Galveston; Perkins School of Theology, Dallas; July-December 2007.
“Mediating Meditation: Religious Studies as an Opportunity for Consciousness Raising,” Invited Lecturer, Chi Delta Mu- Texas Christian University Religion Department, September, 2005.
“Religion, American Youth Culture, and the Prospect of Civility,” Invited speaker and panelist, Texas Christian University and Amnesty International Forum on Women and International Violence, April, 2005.
“Gleaning the Glossy Good News,” Speaker, Chi Delta Mu- Texas Christian University Religion Department, January 2005.
ACADEMIC SERVICE & PARTICIPATION
MISCELLANEOUS
Panelist, Nurturing the Next Generation of Scholars, March 27, 2011, Impressed the importance of mentorship at a workshop for prospective graduate students. This was a joint program between the Western Commission on the Study of Religion and the Fund for Theological Education.
CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
On-Site Representative, Society of Biblical Literature, 2011-2012, Promoted active student membership in the SBL. Provided social and professional development opportunities for students.
Convener, Comparative Religions Colloquium, 2010-2011, Provided leadership over a monthly meeting of junior scholars. Coordinated presenters and respondents to share papers around the theme of scriptures-– sacred and secular, written and unwritten, traditional and nontraditional.
Participant, Cultural Studies Reading Group, 2010-2011, Active member of a monthly graduate seminar covering major works in cultural studies and critical theory.
Moderator, “Ain’t I a Womanist Too?:” Third Wave Womanist Religious Thought Conference, February 25-56, 2010, Facilitated conversations between junior and senior scholars about Womanist Studies. Served under the advisement of Dr. Monica A. Coleman.
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Columnist, The Daily Campus, 2008, Contributed weekly articles on religion, the state of higher education, and student life.
Graduate School Representative, SMU Association of Black Students, 2008-2009, Communicated the concerns and interests of the Black Seminarian Association to the university conclave of black students and to the SMU administration.
Student Representative, Perkins School of Theology Faculty and Staff Search Committee Member, 2006-2009, Represented the student body’s interests by evaluating candidates for two faculty posts and two staff positions. Served at the request of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Director of Student Services.
Student Representative, Perkins School of Theology Committee on Ethnic, Gender, and Racial Concerns, 2006, Worked with faculty, staff, and students in reviewing university policies on sexual harassment, demographic discrimination, and issues pertaining to ability.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Dean’s Advisory Board, AddRan School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2004, Met monthly with the Dean Mary Volcancek to provide input regarding problems, programming, and student perspectives on the business of the school.
Student Representative, Department of Religion Faculty Search Committee, 2004, Represented the student body’s interests in evaluating candidates for two faculty posts. Served at the request of the search committee chair.
AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Religion
Society of Biblical Literature
Institute for Signifying Scriptures
