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Introductory Session

Moderator: Edward Foulks, Tulane University

Solomon Katz, University of Pennsylvania/Metanexus Institute: Introduction to Spiritual Transformation Program

Welcome by Stephen M. Shortell, Dean of the School of Public Health

William Grassie, Metanexus Institute: Introduction of Charles Townes

Opening Remarks by Charles Townes, University of California, Berkeley

Plenary Session “Science, Society and Religion–From Dialog to Research"

Moderator: William Lesher, Chairman of the Board, World Parliament of Religions

Jack Miles, Occidental College: "Contextualizing the Scientific Study of Spiritual Transformation"

Responses from a Scientist and a Theologian

Philip Hefner, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago: “Theological Perspectives on the Role and Meaning of Spiritual Transformation”

Solomon Katz, University of Pennsylvania/Metanexus Institute: “An Anthropological Perspective on the Science of Spiritual Transformation”

The First National Survey of Spiritual Transformation

Moderator: Solomon Katz, University of Pennsylvania/Metanexus Institute

Tom Smith, National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago: "Spiritual Transformations in America"

Discussion: Michael Hout, University of California, Berkeley, Lewis Rambo, Graduate Theological Union

Major Illness, Resilience, and Spiritual Transformation I

Moderator: Edward Foulks, Tulane University

Gail Ironson, University of Miami: "Spiritual Transformation in the Face of Illness: AIDS"

Discussion: John Frank, Institute of Population and Public Health; Fredrick Hecht, San Francisco General Hospital and Director, UCSF Osher Center for Intergrative Medicine.

Major Illness, Resilience, and Spiritual Transformation II

Moderator: Edward Foulks, Tulane University

Brenda Cole, University of Pittsburgh:"Into the Darkness, Into the Light: The Many Shades of Spiritual Transformation Among Cancer Patients"

Jean Kristeller / Leonard Hummel, Indiana State University / Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettsyburg: "Spiritual Engagement: A Path to Coping with Cancer" / "Cancer and Spiritual Transformation: A Practical Theology"

Discussion: John Frank, Institute of Population and Public Health

Neurobiological and Developmental Studies of Spiritual Transformation

Moderator: Dale Ironson, University of Miami

Mario Beauregard, University of Montreal: "Neural Correlates of a Mystical State in Carmelite Nuns"

Nancy Snidman, Harvard University, Co-Investigator with Jerome Kagan, Harvard University: "Contribution of Temperament to a Spiritual Outlook"

Discussion: Eleanor Rosch, University of California, Berkeley; Michael Spezio, California Institute of Technology General Discussion

Youth and Spiritual Transformation

Moderator: Philip Hefner, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Mark Regnerus, University of Texas at Austin: "Losing My Religion: Negative Religious Transformation in Adolescence and Young Adulthood"

Harold Delaney, University of New Mexico: "Antecedents of Transformation: Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Disciplines, and Community"

Doug Oman, University of California, Berkeley: "Effects of Spiritual Modeling Stress Management Interventions on College Undergraduates"

Youth and Spiritual Transformation (cont.)

Discussion: Alexander Astin, UCLA, Reverend William L. McLennan, Stanford University, Lewis Rambo, Graduate Theological Union

Spiritual Transformation Over the Life Course I

Moderator: Joan Koss–Chioino, George Washington University

Dacher Keltner, University of California, Berkeley: "Vagal Markers of Connection and Spirituality"

Robert Rubinstein, Syracuse University, Co-Investigator with Sandra Lane, Syracuse University: "Spiritual Transformation and Childbirth"

Spiritual Transformation Over the Life Course II

Moderator: Dacher Keltner, University of California, Berkeley

Brad Wilcox, University of Virginia: "Happily Ever After? Spiritual Transformation and Relationship Quality in Urban Families"

Alvin Dueck, Fuller Theological Seminary: "Spirituality, Language and Behavioral Transformation"

Michael McCullough, University of Miami: "Spiritual Transformation Over the Adult Life Course in the Terman Sample"

Discussion: Eleanor Rosch, University of California, Berkeley; Phillip Shaver, UC Davis

Frontier Questions for Spiritual Transformation Research

Moderator: Solomon Katz, University of Pennsylvania/Metanexus Institute

Panel Discussion: Alexander Astin, UCLA; Philip Hefner, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; Joan Koss–Chioino, George Washington University; Michael Gazzaniga, UC Santa Barbara; Margaret Paloma, University of Akron; Stephen Post, Case Western Reserve University; Michael Spezio, California Institute of Technology; Cassandra Vieten, Institute of Noetic Sciences.

Frontier Methodologies in Spiritual Transformation Research

Moderator: Byron Johnson

Panel Discussion: Brenda Cole, University of Pittsburgh; Harold Delaney, University of New Mexico; Peter Hill, Biola University; Gail Ironson, University of Miami; Dacher Keltner, University of California, Berkeley; Michael McCullough, University of Miami; Donald Miller, University of Southern California.

Frontier Sources for Spiritual Tranformation Research: Theological Responses to the Key Scientific Questions and Methods

Moderator: Stephen Post, Case Western Reserve University

Panel Discussion : Alejandro Garcia-Rivera, Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley; David Gortner, Church Divinity School of the Pacific; Mark Graves, Graduate Theological Union; Philip Hefner, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; Leonard Hummel, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg; Ted Peters, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; Lewis Rambo, San Francisco Theological Seminary; Eleanor Rosch, University of California, Berkeley.

Descriptive and Ethnographic Studies of Spiritual Transformation

Moderator: Edward Foulks, Tulane University

Roberta Sands, University of Pennsylvania: "Gender Differences in the Use of Spiritual and Religious Terminology by Baalei Teshuvah"

Donald Miller, University of Southern California: "The Role of Spirituality in Two NGOs in Africa"

Jeffrey Samuels, Western Kentucky University: "Spiritual Transformation among Sri Lankan Novices: Group Dynamics and Networks of Faith"

Discussant: Joan Koss–Chioino, George Washington University

Substance Abuse, Deviance and Spiritual Transformation

Moderator: Solomon Katz, University of Pennsylvania/Metanexus Institute

Robert Kraus, University of Kentucky: "Traditional Spirituality on an American Indian Alcohol Treatment Program"

Elizabeth Robinson, University of Michigan: "Life-Changing Spiritual and Religious Experiences in Treatment-Seeking Alcoholics: Quantitative and Qualitative Findings"

Sung Joon Jang, Louisiana State University: "Spiritual but Not Religious” Explanation of Crime, Deviance, and Mental Health"

Monica Longmore, Co-Investigator with Peggy Giordano, Bowling Green State University: "Spiritual Transformation and Criminal Involvement Over the Life Course: Mechanisms Underlying successful 'Desistance"

Discussion: Lee Kaskutas, University of California, Berkeley; Byron Johnson, Baylor University

Applying Self–Efficacy Theory to Spiritual Transformation

Moderator: Carl Thoresen, Stanford University

Doug Oman, University of California, Berkeley: "Applying Self-efficacy Theory to Spiritual Transformation: Conceptualization and Review"

Albert Bandura, Stanford University: "A Social Cognitive Perspective on Spirituality"

Discussion: Peter Hill, Biola University, Susan Folkman, UC San Francisco; Michael McCullough, University of Miami

SUMMING UP: Key Advances,  Accomplishments and Challenges for the Future of STP

Moderator: Barabra Bradley Hagerty, Religion Correspondent, National Public Radio

Perspectives: Methodology, Theory, & Practice Perspectives from the Investigators and Distinguished Guests