Adam DJ Brett

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Adam DJ Brett

Ph.D. in Religion from Syracuse University Department of Religion. he/him.
  adam@adamdjbrett.com   817.760.0292   https://adamdjbrett.com   Syracuse University

Education

2022:

Ph.D., Religion. Syracuse University, Department of Religion.
Dissertation: Catastrophic Christianity: An Iconological study of the Messianic Idea in American Protestant Christianity Circa 1900-1940. Advisor: Dr. Zachary J. Braiterman.

2015:

M.Phil, Religion. Syracuse University, Department of Religion.

2013:

Certificate of Advanced Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies. Syracuse University, Women’s and Gender Studies.

2011:

Th.M., History and Theology. Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.
Thesis: Archaéological Theology: G-d Beyond God.

2011:

Graduate Certificate, Women’s and Gender Studies. Texas Christian University, Women’s and Gender Studies.

2009:

M.T.S, Theology and Culture. Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.
Thesis: A Critical Study of Postmodern Theologizing: Examining Myth and Theology in The Little Prince.

2006:

B.A., History and Biblical Studies, Warner University.

Areas of Specialization

  • American Religion; American Religious History
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Critical Theories of Religion
  • Christian Studies and Theology
  • Women’s and Gender Studies
  • Religion, Media, and Culture
  • Religion and Science-Fiction

Doctoral Exams

My exams focused on the ways that aesthetic spaces provide a compelling location for analyzing the power/knowledge relationships between religion and visual culture. These exams were organized around:

  • Person: Michel Foucault as a Religious Thinker.
  • Text: From The Fundamentals to Fundamentalisms.
  • Movement: The Byzantine Iconoclastic Controversy: Exploring the Religious Dimension of Images.
  • Problem: Imagining Messianism in American Religion & Visual Culture.

Teaching Experience

  • Austin Peay State University, Adjunct Instructor
    • 2024-Spring: Religion & The World, Online 2 sections (Philosophy 2200)
    • 2023-Fall: Religion & The World (Philosophy 2200)
    • 2023-Fall: Western Religions (Philosophy 3300)
    • 2023-Summer: Religion & The World, Online (Philosophy 2200)
  • Middle Tennessee State University, Adjunct Instructor
    • 2024-Spring: Religion and Society (Religious Studies 2030)
    • 2023-Fall: Introduction to World Religions (Religious Studies 1030)
  • Syracuse University, Instructor
    • 2023-Fall: Religion and Sports, 8-week Online (Religion 103)
    • 2022-Summer: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2022-Summer: Religions of the World, Online (Religion 101)
    • 2022-Spring: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2021-Winter: Religions of the World, Online (Religion 101)
    • 2021-Fall: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2021-Fall: Religion and Sports, 8-week Online (Religion 103)
    • 2021-Spring: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2020-Fall: Religion and Sports, 8-week Online (Religion 103)
    • 2020-Fall: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2020-Fall: Religion and Science Fiction, Online (Religion 320)
    • 2020-Summer: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2019-Summer: Religion and Sports, Online (Religion 103)
    • 2015-Fall: Introduction to the Study of Religion (Religion 120)
    • 2015-Spring: Introduction to the Study of Religion (Religion 120)
    • 2014-Fall: Religion in Science Fiction (Religion 320)
  • American Baptist Churches of New York State (ABC-NYS), Instructor
    • 2019-Spring New Testament Lay Studies Course
  • Syracuse University, Teaching Assistant
    • 2020-Spring: Religion and Sports (Religion 103)
    • 2019-Fall: Native American Religions (Native American Studies/Religion 142)
    • 2019-Spring:Religion and Sports (Religion 103)
    • 2018-Fall: Indigenous Religions (Religion 244, Antropology 273; Native American Studies 244)
    • 2016-Spring: Lincoln, Religion and the Civil War (Religion 300)
    • 2015-Fall: Native American Religion (Native American Studies/Religion 142)
    • 2015-Spring: Faith and Reason in Islamic Thought and Civilization (Religion 261)
    • 2014-Fall: Christianity (Religion 156)
    • 2014-Spring: Introduction to the Bible (Jewish Studies/Religion 114)
    • 2013-Fall: Judaism (Jewish Studies/Religion 135)
    • 2013-Spring: Buddhism (South Asian Studies/ Religion 186)
    • 2012-Fall: Native American Religions (Native American Studies/Religion 142)
    • 2012-Spring: Introduction to the Bible (Jewish Studies/Religion 114)
    • 2011-Fall: Introduction to the Study of Religion (Religion 120)
  • Invited Presentations
    • 2024 Vanderbilt University, “Introduction to Sociology of Religion,” for Introduction to Sociology taught by Dr. Laure Woods. Fall 2024.
    • 2023 APSU: Invited lecture, “Documenting the Doctrine of Discovery,” Sponsored by Phi Alpha Theta and Philosophy Club, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN. Fall 2023.
    • 2023 Vanderbilt University: Invited lecture, “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, 2 Spirits,” for the Health, Poverty and Politics course taguth by Dr. Laurie Woods. Nashville, TN. Spring 2023.
    • 2023 MTSU: Invited lecture, “Good Treaties Make Good Neighbors,” Honors College Lecture Series, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfeesboro, TN. Spring 2023.
    • 2022 MTSU: Invited presentation, “Beyond the Classroom: The Native American and Indian Association of TN Pow Wow,” MTSU, Nashville, TN. For the classes: UH 3000: Friendship, RS 2030: Religion and Society, and RS 3030: Mapping Religious Diversity. Fall 2022.
    • 2021 MTSU: Tennessee History class invited lecture on “Cherokee Ball Game, Treaties and Indigenous Resistance”, taught by Dr. James V. Holton, Spring 2021. 2x.
    • 2020 MTSU: Tennessee History class invited lecture on “Religion, Authority, and the Scopes Trial”, taught by Dr. James V. Holton, Fall 2020. 2x.
    • 2020 MTSU: Modern U.S. History class invited lecture on “Religion, Racism, and The Olympics”, taught by Dr. James V. Holton, 2 sections, Fall 2020. 2x
    • 2020 Gladden Podcast Episode 10, hosted by D. Garmondyu Whorway: “Embracing the #nocode movement and creating an online portfolio.”
    • 2018 Syracuse University: First Year Forum (CAS 101), taught by Dr. Ahmed Abdel Meguid, Fall, 2018. I did a series of three lectures on “Christianity and the Enlightenment.”
    • 2015 Syracuse University: Pop Culture Studies: Radio, Musics & Audio Cultures (Television Radio Film 530) taught by Dr. Jenny Doctor, Spring, 2015. I lectured on “Aimee Semple McPherson and the Development of Radio.”
    • 2013 Syracuse University: Pop Culture Studies: Radio, Musics & Audio Cultures (Television Radio Film 530), taught by Dr. Jenny Doctor, Spring, 2013. I lectured on “Aimee Semple McPherson and the Development of Radio.”

Other Academic and Professional Positions

Selected Academic and Professional Activities

  • 2023 “The Religious Origins of White Supremacy: Johnson v. M’Intosh and the Doctrine of Christian Discovery”
    • Conference organizing, video editing, closed captioning, Thematic Discussion Group Moderator, panel chair for “New Books in the Study of Domination.”
  • 2020
  • 2019
    • Co-Organizer, Web Developer/Social Media Coordinator. Deyhontsigwa’ehs- The Creator’s Game, Wooden Stick Lacrosse Festival and The First Annual Randy Hall Masters Wooden Stick Lacrosse Tournament #laxweekend19
  • 2018
    • Web Developer/Social Media Coordinator, Flourish and Decay: Exploring Religion in Process, Syracuse University Graduate Student Conference, April 13th, 2018
    • Co-Organizer, Web Developer/Social Media Coordinator. Taking on the Doctrine of Discovery, What are our Next Steps?, August 18-19, 2018, Skä·noñh—Great Law of Peace Center, Liverpool NY in Onondaga Nation Territory. (brett.im/next)
    • Co-Organizer, Web Developer/Social Media Coordinator. Deyhontsigwa’ehs- The Creator’s Game, Wooden Stick Lacrosse Festival and The First Annual Randy Hall Masters Wooden Stick Lacrosse Tournament #laxweekend18
  • 2017
    • Co-Organizer, Web Developer/Social Media Coordinator. Deyhontsigwa’ehs- The Creator’s Game, Lacrosse Weekend and Wooden Stick Festival featuring an International Lacrosse Scrimmage between the Iroquois Nationals, Team Israel, and University of Albany Great Danes #laxweekend17.
    • “Placing the Apocalypse (And Other Genres): Reading Religion across film genre” and “Ecce Homo: the body makes the man,” The Place of Religion in Film, March 30-April 1, 2017, Syracuse University. Program PDF
  • 2016
    • Co-Organizer, Web Developer/Social Media Coordinator, and Panel Chair. Encountering the Unexpected: Glitches, (Dis)placements, & Marginalia, Syracuse University Religion Graduate Student Conference, March 25-26, 2016.
  • 2015
    • Organizing Committee. Eastern International Region of the American Academy of Religion, McGill University, May 1-2, 2015.
  • 2014
    • Co-Organizer and Presider. Graduate Training and Scholarly Formation, American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. November 22, 2014 1:00-3:30 p.m. (Panelists: Thomas A. Tweed, University of Notre Dame; David Harrington Watt, Temple University; Kathryn Lofton, Yale University; Vasudha Narayanan, University of Florida; Deborah Creamer, Association of Theological Schools, Pittsburgh, PA; Jeff Wilson, University of Waterloo)
    • Organizer and Roundtable Chair. “Roundtable, Teaching Religion in America across Institutional Contexts,” Eastern International Region of the American Academy of Religion, Syracuse University, Saturday May 3, 2014.
    • Panel Chair. “Gender and Sexuality in the Oneida Community,” Eastern International Region of the American Academy of Religion, Syracuse University, Saturday May 3, 2014.
  • 2011
    • Co-Organzier. World Conference of Associated Theological Institutions (WOCATI) Executive Committee Meeting, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, March 17-20 2009.

Service to the Profession

  • American Academy of Religion
    • 2019-20
      • Interim Graduate Student Director, Eastern International Region
    • 2013-15
      • Graduate Student Committee, American Academy of Religion
      • Graduate Student Director, Eastern International Region
  • Syracuse University
    • 2015-16
      • Graduate Student Admissions Committee Representative.
    • 2012-13
      • University Senate, Senator at Large.
      • Graduate Student Organization, Senator at Large.
      • Religion Graduate Student Organization, Co-president.
  • Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University
    • 2008-11
      • Member, Theology Theory Group
      • Treasurer, Advanced Program Student Association
    • 2010-11
      • Vice Moderator, Brite Student Association
    • 2008-10:
      • General Secretary, Brite Student Association
  • Warner University
    • 2003-06: Resident Assistant
    • 2003-06: Member, Student Congress, Student Government Association
    • 2003-06: President Pro Tempore, Student Government Association

Publications

Public Scholarship

  • Louisiana’s Ten Commandment Truthiness, Good Faith Media.
  • Trump’s Dangerous Rhetoric of Dehumanization, Good Faith Media
  • Lacrosse Legends: LaxCon 2023 interview (youtube)
  • Quoted in Gabriel Pietrorazio’s “Why Hasn’t The Pope Denounced The Doctrine Of Discovery?” Sojourners (Oct. 4, 2022) (sojo.net).

Collaborative Digital Humanities Research Projects

  • Executive Producer, Doctrine of Christian Discovery Podcast Limited Series, (brett.im/docd)
  • Academic Collaborative Member, Web Developer, Doctrine of Discovery Project (doctrineofdiscovery.org), (2017-present)
  • Co-Producer, Mapping the Doctrine of Discovery: A Podcast (podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org), (2022-present)
  • Web Developer, Then and Now Project: three case studies of dispossession (2020-present)
  • Creator, Religious Studies Blog RSS Aggregator (rs-rss.com), (2024-Present)
  • Creator, Religious Studies Podcasts RSS Aggregator (podcasts.rs-rss.com), (2024-Present)
  • Creator, Religion Call for Papers (relcfp.com), (2011-present)
  • Data Analysis of the Syracuse University Department of Religion Undergraduate Program. Research Assistant to Dr. Gareth Fisher (2016)
  • Web Developer, World Conference of Associated Theological Institutions (WOCATI) (wocati.org), (2011-19)
  • Research Assistant to Dr. Namsoon Kang and WOCATI for the open access book: Challenges and Promises of Quality Assurance in Theological Education: Multicontextual and Ecumenical Inquires (wocati.org/challenges) (2013).

Academic Presentations

  • 2023
  • 2022
    • “The Doctrine of Discovery Podcast and Virtual Onondaga,” co-presented with Philip P. Arnold and Jordan Brady Loewen-Colón, Indigenous Religious Traditions Unit, 2022 American Academic of Religion, Denver, CO.
    • “Selling the Iron Cage: Bruce Barton and Mass Marketing of the Spirit of Capitalism,” Church History panel, 2022 NABPR Annual Meeting, Belmont University.
  • 2021
    • “The Protestantization of the Doctrine of Discovery in Colonial America,” Church History panel, 2021 NABPR Annual Meeting, Online.
  • 2019
    • “The Importance of Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery for Baptists,” Church History panel, 2019 NABPR Annual Meeting, Campbell University, Raleigh, NC.
  • 2018
    • “Reavers Ain’t Human, or They Forgot How to Be: Teaching Religion in Science Fiction.” Religion and Popular Culture Unit. Theme: Popular Pedagogy: Enhancing Student Learning through Popular Culture, American Academy of Religion, Denver Meeting. November 18, 2018.
    • “Dispensational Catastrophic-Utopianism in the Early 20th Century United States,” Transformations and Their Religious-Cultural Landscape panel, Flourish and Decay: Exploring Religion in Process, Syracuse University Graduate Student Conference, April 13, 2018.
  • 2017
    • “The Monstrosity of Messianism in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and Batman vs. Superman,” 2017 Annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Boston. Death, Dying, and Beyond Unit and Religion, Film, and Visual Culture Unit Theme: Superheroes, Where Is Thy Sting? #deathbeyond panel, November 20, 2018.
    • “Teaching the Effective History of the Enlightenment,” Engaged Pedagogy and Social Justice Education panel, 2017 Annual Meeting of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, Belmont University, May 22-24, 2017.
  • 2016
    • “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Messianism, or Superman and the Limits of Weak Messianism,” Theology IV section, National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion (NABPR), Baylor University, May 23-25, 2016.
    • “Messiahs in America: The return of Superheroes and the development of a modern American mythology,” Uninvited Guests & Atemporal Returns panel, Encountering the Unexpected: Glitches, (Dis)placements, & Marginalia, Syracuse University Religion Graduate Student Conference, March 26, 2016.
  • 2015
    • “The Failure of the Messianic in Man of Steel,” Desire and Devotion in Pop Culture panel, Eastern International Region of the American Academy of Religion, McGill University, Friday May 1, 2015.
    • A Survivor’s Guide to teaching Religion 320, a roundtable with Seren Gates Amadour, Dan Moseson, Courtney O’Dell-Chaib for the Syracuse University Department of Religion, December 4, 2015.
    • The Art of Effective (Science) Presentations.” Women in Science and Engineering, response by Shobha K. Bhatia, Future Professionals Program (WiSE-FPP) at Syracuse University, July 17, 2015.
    • “What is Queer about Queer Christian Theology?,” co-presented with Samuel Castleberry in the Queer Theology and “Deviance” panel, “ReligionInterruptus: The Affects of Sex, Politics, and Bodies,” Syracuse University Graduate Student Conference, sponsored by the Religion Graduate Organization at Syracuse University, February 27, 2015.
  • 2014
    • “The Art of Effective (Science) Presentations.” Women in Science and Engineering, response by Shobha K. Bhatia, Future Professionals Program (WiSE-FPP) at Syracuse University, November 7, 2014.
    • “Remove Not The Ancient Landmark, Which Thy Fathers Have Set:” Masculinity in The Fundamentals, in Gender in 19th Century New York Religions panel, Eastern International Region of the American Academy of Religion, Syracuse University, Saturday May 3, 2014.
    • “I Still Belong to Jesus? The Rise of Christian Agnosticism and Religious Nones,” Religious Belonging and Exclusion Panel, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?’: Journeys of Belonging and Exclusion,” Syracuse University Department of History Graduate Student Conference, March 21, 2014.
    • “Theologians Without Passports: An Ethic of Ecumenical Difference,” invited lecture at United Church in Fayetteville, Fayetteville, NY, February 9, 2014.
  • 2013
    • “Monstrous Bodies: Theologizing the Posthuman,” Annual meeting of NABPR (National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion) Baylor University, May 21, 2013.
    • “River & Reavers ain’t human—or they forgot how to be. Monstrous Bodies, Animality, and Religion in Firefly & Serenity,” “The Monstrous, the Marginalized, and Transgressive Forms of ‘Humanity,’” Syracuse University Graduate Conference, Sponsored by The Religion Graduate Organization at Syracuse University, April 5th & 6th 2013.
  • 2012
    • “Developing a Pedagogy of Transgression: Teaching Religion Today,” Annual meeting of NABPR (National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion) Belmont University, May 21, 2012.
  • 2011
    • “Playing with Negative Theology: Reading Derrida’s ‘Structure, Sign, and Play,’” Annual meeting of NABPR (National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion) Gardner–Webb University, May 22, 2011.
    • Advanced Program Student “Getting a Job Workshop,” co-presented with Loren D.J. Baxter, Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, March, 26, 2011.
    • Sticks And Stones Will Break Your Bones But iPhones Will Kill You: A Response to Dr. Kwok Pui Lan’s “Fishing The Asia Pacific: Transnationalism And Feminist Theology,” Student Colloquy with Kwok Pui Lan, Brite Divinity School Texas Christian University, March 7, 2011.
  • 2010
    • “The Little Prince as Theologian,” Annual meeting of NABPR (National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion) McAfee School of Theology (Mercer University), Atlanta, Ga, May 23-26, 2010.
    • “Making Mornings That They’ll Remember: God, Ethnicity, Race, Gender, and Sexuality in William P. Young’s The Shack,” Co-presented with Rodney A. Thomas, Jr., Annual meeting of NABPR (National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion) McAfee School of Theology (Mercer University), Atlanta, Ga., May 23-26, 2010.

Academic Honors and Awards

  • 2023 Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ), National History Honor Society. Austin Peay State University
  • 2010–2020
    • Graduate Teaching Assistantship (full tuition and stipend). Syracuse University Department of Religion
  • 2013
    • Travel Grant and Funding for the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute of the World Council of Churches, Tenth Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Busan, Korea, 2013.
    • Theta Chi Beta: Religion Honor Society (ΘΧΒ). Syracuse University Religion Honor Society and chapter of National Honor Society Theta Alpha Kappa (ΘΑΚ)
  • 2010
    • Book Award for Asian (Korean) Church Studies Program, Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University
  • 2009
    • Book Award for Theology, Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University
  • 2006
    • Alpha Chi (National College Honor Society), Warner University
    • Pi Gamma Mu (International Social Science Honor Society), Warner University
  • 2002
    • Alpha Lambda Delta (Honor Society), Warner University, 2002

Professional Development

  • 2022: Participant, THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) at AAR/SBL Unconference
  • 2022: Participant, Public Scholarship and Practical Impacts Workshop at the AAR/SBL
  • 2019: Participant, THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) at Syracuse University
  • 2018: Participant, THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) at AAR/SBL Unconference #tcSBLAAR18
  • 2017: Participant, THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) at AAR/SBL Unconference #tcAARSBL17
  • 2016: Participant, THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) at AAR/SBL Unconference #thatcampaarsbl
  • 2013: Participant, Global Ecumenical Theological Institute of the World Council of Churches, in conjunction with the Tenth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches, Seoul and Busan, Korea, October 25-November 13, 2013.
  • 2011-2022: Syracuse University, Future Professoriate Program
  • 2011: Workshop participant. Overcoming Barriers to Underrepresented Scholarship: A Strategy and Action Workshop, Sponsored by the Status of Women in the Profession Committee, Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the Profession Committee, and the Status of LGBTIQ Persons in the Profession Committee, American Academy of Religion, San Francisco, CA., November 18, 2011.
  • 2010: Workshop participant. Learning Goals for Teaching the Bible in the Liberal Arts Curriculum, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, GA., November 20, 2010.

Languages (Reading Knowledge)

  • French
  • German
  • Koine Greek

Professional Associations

  • AAR (American Academy of Religion)
  • SBL (Society of Biblical Literature)
  • NABPR (National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion)
  • NAASR (North American Association For The Study of Religion)

Technical skills

  • Responsive Web Design
  • HTML5/CSS/JS
  • JSON-LD and Schema.org
  • WordPress
  • Static Sites (Jekyll, 11ty)
  • Linux (Ubuntu)
  • Google Search Console
  • Google Analytics
  • Social Media and Web Strategy

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