Kenneth L. Draper, PhD
Biography
My writing and research has focused on understanding the place of religion in late 19th- and early 20th-century Canada. This is a period which has been characterized as both a period of religious doubt and decline and a period of religious revival and growth. What seems to be happening is a reorientation of the place of religion from a vector of public identity to that of individual and private self-identity. Thus, in public, religious discourse becomes muted, while lay-led movements and practices develop wide followings that move outside of historic denominational boundaries. This leads to a more individualized, privatized experience of religion. My current interests are in exploring Michel Foucault's thinking on the subject, especially in reference to governmentality and technologies of the self, as an approach to the intersection of evangelical Christianity and the development of Canada as a liberal state in the 20th century.
CURRENT RESEARCH
Christian and Missionary Alliance Oral History Project
Production of lay curriculum for the Alliance World Fellowship
SCHOLARLY & PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
Professional Affiliations
Canadian Historical Association
Conference on Faith and History
Senior Administrative Appointments
Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Winter 2012
Interim Dean of Arts and Science, 2012-2013
Director, Office of Planning and Assessment
RECENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“Becoming Christian in History Class.” Presentation at the Conference on Faith and History, George Fox University, Newberg, OR, October 7, 2010.
“Denominational History in a Post-Denominational Age.” Presentation at the Conference on Faith and History, George Fox University, Newberg, OR, October 7, 2010.