Dr Sue Yore

Teaching

Over the last thirteen years I have developed and facilitated a range of learning and teaching experiences for my students who take my modules. My approach to teaching is based on my personal belief that a student should graduate with an empathy and knowledge about diverse religious perspectives, enhanced self-awareness and a lifelong desire for learning. My role as a tutor is to provide the contexts to facilitate this.

I teach modules on both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Currently I teach on the following modules on the undergraduate programme:

• Global Islam
• Religion and Globalisation
• Religion and Myth
• Religion and the Visual Arts.

On the postgraduate programme I teach Religion, Science and the Arts and Religion and Popular Culture.

In the context of teaching Islam, I have established links with the mosque in York and several in Bradford. I take students to see what happens in a mosque and to have discussions with Muslims which helps them to understand the distinction between media representations of Muslims and the reality of their lives.

As part of the module on Religion and the Visual Arts a colleague and myself take students on a two day trip to Glasgow where we visit a range of museums and galleries. This helps students to appreciate how religious art functions in a specific context as well as seeing art in the flesh in order to experience art outside of the classroom.

I am HEA Teaching fellow and was awarded the SEDA certificate in e-learning.

Research

My current research interests

My PhD thesis explored the literary writings of Iris Murdoch, Denise Levertov and Annie Dillard in the context of contemporary mystical theology.

My current research interests include:

• Contemporary mysticism
• Women’s writing and spirituality
• Christianity and the visual arts
• The prophetic function of art and literature in relation to contemporary narratives about war.

I remain convinced that literature and art can effect positive change in the world and open up a productive dialogue with religion and politics.

PhD Supervision

I am currently supervising Jenny Baker whose PhD thesis explores painting as a theological process.

Publications

Books and Edited books:

Kollontai, P.C.H., Yore, S., and Kim, S.C.H (2017) Who is My Neighbour? Crossing Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishing.

Kim S.C.H., Kollontai, P.C.H. and Yore, S. (eds) (2015) Mediating Peace: Reconciliation Through Art, Music and Film, Newcastle,, Cambridge Scholars Press, pp. 74-98.

Yore, S. (2009)  The Mystic Way in Postmodernity, Oxford, Peter Lang.

Articles and chapters in books

Yore, S. ‘Christians and the Visual Arts’ in Chryssides, G & Gregg, S (eds) The Bloomsbury Handbook to Studying Christians (2019). 

Yore, S. (2018) 'Utopian Visions of Harmonious Existence in Ursula LeGuin’s Left Hand of Darkness' in Kollontai, P.C.H., Yore, S., and Kim, S.C.H,  Who is My Neighbour? Crossing Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishing.

Yore, S. ‘Seeing Paradise in the Dust of the Streets’: a reflection on Student Art Projects in Kim, S Kollontai, P and Yore, S (eds) Mediating Peace: Reconciliation through Visual Art, Music and Film, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 2015.

Noake, R. & Yore, S. ‘Developing Creativity in the Theology and Religious Studies Curriculum’ in Discourse, (2010), Vol 9: no 2

Yore, S. (2009) ‘In the Footsteps of Julian of Norwich’,  The Way, 48:1, pp. 37-56.

Yore, S. The Mystic Way in Postmodernity: transcending theological boundaries in the writings of Iris Murdoch, Denise Levertov and Annie Dillard , Bern: Peter Lang, 2009.

Yore, S. ‘In the Footsteps of Julian of Norwich’ in The Way (2009), Vol 48: no 1

Yore, S. (2007) ‘Theological Identity in Post-modernity through a Literary Lens’ in Kim, S. & Kollontai, P. (eds) Community Identity: Dynamics of Religion in Context, London: T&T Clark.

Conference Papers

Yore, S. ‘Gastronomical Mysticism: Pleasure or Perception’ University of Kent, July 2019

Yore, S. ‘The Fusion of Christian and Hasidic Mysticism in Denise Levertov’s Poetic Vision’ Mystical Theology Network, Glasgow University December 2016

Yore, S. ‘Seeing Paradise in the Dust of the Streets’: a reflection on students’ art projects,’ Hebrew University, Jerusalem, November 2012

Yore, S. ‘Creation in the Arts ‘ MA conference, York St John University, March 2011

Yore, S. ‘Resisting Evil in the Human Psyche through Prophetic Forms of Literary Writing, University of Iowa, USA, April 2010

Yore, S & Noake R. ‘Developing Creativity in the Theology and Religious Studies Curriculum' York St John University, June 2009

Yore, S. ‘Mystical Perceptions of Nature through the writings of Iris Murdoch, Denise Levertov and Annie Dillard’ University of Iowa, USA, April 2009

Professional Activity

Treasurer for TRS (UK) -  formerly AUDTRS

Member of British Association for the Study of Spirituality