New Religious Studies: Innovations in Higher Education Learning Management for the 21st Century, Learning from Foreign Religious Studies Methods

This study aims to (1) analyze learning-management innovations in religious studies in international contexts and (2) propose approaches to developing religious-studies learning management for the Thai higher-education context. This study employed a qualitative documentary approach analyzing 85 peer-reviewed sources from 12 countries (2017-2025). Data were extracted with a structured document-analysis form and coded using content analysis and cross-case synthesis to surface trends, models, and best practices in higher-education religious studies. The findings reveal two main results- 1. Innovations in religious studies in international contexts exhibit five significant trends- (1) a shift toward analytical approaches to religion, (2) integration of digital technologies, (3) experiential and practice-based learning, (4) promotion of 21st century skills, and (5) interdisciplinary integration. These innovations are often accompanied by diverse assessment methods that reflect deep and multidimensional learning processes. 2. The proposed new approaches for developing religious studies in Thailand are organized at two levels- (1) Practical Level - learning design should be responsive to the Thai social context by connecting religion with real-life experiences, contemporary social phenomena, future scenarios, economic dynamics, technology, and active participation of local communities. Moral and ethical foundations and civic responsibility must also be maintained, and (2) Structural and Policy Level - the goal is to create a sustainable learning ecosystem through curriculum designs that allow for critical inquiry into religion based on frameworks such as Critical Religious Studies and Religious Literacy. Faculty development should be supported through ongoing practical training and the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Communities of Practice (CoPs). In addition, the promotion of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and the integration of religious studies with contemporary social and global goals are essential.