"Ten Things You Ought to Know About American Catholics" | Press Releases

Dr. James Davidson, president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion and a graduate of Fairfield University, will speak on "Ten Things You Ought to Know About American Catholics," on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business Dining Room. The lecture is free and the public is welcome.

Currently a professor of sociology at Purdue University, Dr. Davidson received his Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. His current research is on religious stratification and trends among American Catholics.

He is the co-author of the 2007 book, "American Catholics Today," and specializes in the sociology of religion. He is the author or editor of eight books, including "Catholicism in Motion" (2005) and "The Search for Common Ground" (1997), which received the 1998 Research Award from the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. His articles have appeared in journals such as "Social Forces, Social Problems," the "Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion," "Sociology of Religion," and the "Review of Religious Research."

He has served as president of the Religious Research Association and the North Central Sociological Association; editor of the "Review of Religious Research," and executive secretary of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. He was selected for his department's Excellence in Teaching Award and Indiana's Community Service Award. He was also honored with the Distinguished Visiting Professor award from the University of Dayton.