Category Archives: Teaching

The F-word: Fascism 101

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Tom Simpson

In the past four years, observers of the United States have harbored intense fears that the Trump administration was essentially, or at least substantially, fascist. It’s a loaded and often misunderstood term, and now that we’re on the verge of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia, Ethics, Fascism, Gender, Human Rights, Peacebuilding, Politics, Race, Teaching, Violence | Tagged Bosnia-Herzegovina, Fascism, genocide, Holocaust | Leave a comment

The 2020 Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival: A Roundup

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Tom Simpson

One of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s great charms, and great sources of pride, is its incredible pool of talented actors and filmmakers. I’ve written here before of my love of extraordinary films like Jasmila Žbanić’s “Grbavica,” Aida Begić’s “Snijeg” (“Snow”), Srđan Vuletić’s “Hop, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia, Fascism, Feminism, Film, Gender, grief, Human Rights, Islam, Peacebuilding, Politics, Religion and Spirituality, Teaching, trauma, Uncategorized, Violence | Tagged Aida Begic, Alban Ukaj, BHFF NYC, Boba Lizdek, Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival, Dino Bajrovic, Elma Tataragic, Ena Sendijarevic, Guillaume de Fontenay, Ines Tanovic, Jasmila Zbanic, Nejra Latic Hulusic, Nermin Hamzagic, Nihad Kresevljakovic, Paul Marchand, Sabina Vajraca, Snezana Bogdanovic, Srdan Vuletic, Susan Sontag, Tarik Hodzic | Leave a comment

Long Live the King

Posted on August 29, 2020 by Tom Simpson

It’s hard to put into words what Chadwick Boseman’s massive talent and radiant light have meant to me, my family, and my students. In 42, Boseman brought Jackie Robinson to life for today’s youth in one of the best baseball … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Film, grief, Humor, Media, Popular Culture, Race, racial justice, SNL, Teaching | Tagged 42, Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, George Faithful, Jackie Robinson, Yolanda Pierce | 2 Comments

Masculinity’s Evolutions

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Tom Simpson

I was planning to write sooner. After my second round of chemotherapy ended last Sunday, I thought — based on my experience with the first round — that it would be just a few days before I’d feel like myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Bosnia, cancer, Gender, Health, Peacebuilding, Popular Culture, Sports, Teaching, Writing | Tagged Alan Berkowitz, cancer, Gender, Harold Reynolds, Jusuf Nurkic, masculinity, Mike Conley, Mike Trout, MLB, NBA, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, social norms research | 6 Comments

Conversation with Mirela Kulović about Human Rights, Teaching, and Writing

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Tom Simpson

Yesterday, as part of her wonderful new “thought-provoking conversations” series on YouTube, the brilliant Bosnian-American painter Mirela Kulović interviewed me about so much of what I love: teaching and writing about religious identity, human rights, conflict, and coexistence; mentoring and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Autobiography / Memoir, Bosnia, Ethics, Human Rights, Teaching, Writing | Tagged Aida Begic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cafe de Alma, Cuvaj Se, Emir Kapetanovic, Jasmila Zbanic, Mary Karr, Mirela Kulovic, Natalie Goldberg, Revolt Clothing Sarajevo, Samir Biscevic, Scream for Me Sarajevo, Zana Marjanovic, Zilka Spahic Siljak | 2 Comments

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Tom Simpson

Last year at this time, I was teaching at the Global Citizens Youth Summit in Tokyo about the idea of “memory as a moral compass,” with special reference to case studies from the history of Japan. Featured prominently in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Ethics, Human Rights, Peacebuilding, Politics, Religion and Spirituality, Teaching | Tagged Chad Diehl, Hiroshima, ICAN, Japan, Nagasaki, peace, survivor testimony, World War II | 2 Comments

The Toll of Greed and Neglect

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Tom Simpson

The news, images, and stories from Beirut — where an explosion of 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate has left a gorgeous city and countless lives in ruins — are absolutely gutting. My heartbreak turned to fury this morning when … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Film, grief, Politics, Teaching, trauma | Tagged Al Jazeera, BBC world news, Beirut, Beirut explosion, disaster relief, Lebanese Red Cross, Lebanon, Nadine Labaki | 2 Comments

Comic Relief

Posted on July 18, 2020 by Tom Simpson

In recent posts I’ve been writing about the grief, fear, sadness, and anger that can grip up us all when we live in a chaotic, hostile world, and I’ve been exploring what holds the power to soothe and recenter us. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography / Memoir, Film, Humor, Religion and Spirituality, SNL, Teaching, trauma | Tagged Beverly Hills Cop 2, Blacklexa, Carl Reiner, comedy, Deon Cole, Dolemite Is My Name, Dulce Sloan, Eddie Murphy, Gina Yashere, humor, Mel Brooks, Queen Latifah, Roy Wood Jr., Rudy Ray Moore, Sarah Silverman, Spaceballs, Steve Martin, Talladega Nights, This is Spinal Tap, Trevor Noah, Wanda Sykes | 6 Comments

My first book — available for pre-order at 40% off!

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Tom Simpson

My very first book, American Universities and the Birth of Modern Mormonism, 1867-1940, is now available for pre-order from the University of North Carolina Press at a discount of 40%! Just click on this link and use discount code 01DAH40 Here are reviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Higher Education, Publications on Religion and American Culture, Religion and Spirituality, Teaching | Tagged American universities, Brigham Young, BYU, higher education, Latter-day Saints, Mormon history, Mormonism, Religion, religion and science, religion in America, U.S. religious history, UNC Press, University of Utah, Utah St. University | 2 Comments

New Series: Resources for Teaching About Religion, Violence, and Human Rights

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Tom Simpson

To keep “Wayne Street Soul” alive during the academic year, I’m launching a new series of posts on my teaching. I’ve had such an exciting set of conversations with students this spring in seminars on human rights, the Holocaust, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Film, Human Rights, Peacebuilding, Race, Social Justice, Teaching | Tagged coexistence, Oak Creek, religious diversity, religious freedom, teaching human rights, teaching religion in America, teaching the Holocaust, Valarie Kaur | 2 Comments