religion and technology, machines computers and people, time, on becoming
human, sacrifice in a secular world, images of the city—made him a household
name in New Zealand. Trompf (2004: 147) describes him as ‘the only memor-
able “classic-looking” theologian born and bred in the whole South Pacific
region’. Geering’s legacy at Victoria University is carried on by Paul Morris,
James Veitch, and Marion Maddox, who have all made significant contribu-
tions to the area of religion, society and politics.
Apart from the broader issues of method and secular context, there are
numerous individual scholars who excelled and became international figures
in particular areas of expertise. Many of these were the first single staff
appointments to fledgling studies in religion departments, and it is all the more
noteworthy that they were able to excel in research while at the same time
developing programs and administering these departments single-handedly. As
an example, one only need note some of the first appointments in South
Australia for an ‘honor roll’: Norman Habel (b. 1932) at the Adelaide College
of Advanced Education in 1975, who has written on the Book of Job and
more recently has initiated the Earth Bible Project (2000–2002); Philip Almond
at Murray Park College of Advanced Education in 1975; and Robert Crotty
at the Salisbury College of Advanced Education in 1975, who has written
extensively on the early Christian movement. Further afield, one must note,
for example, Paul Rule and Chinese religion in Melbourne; Michael Lattke
(b.1942) and the Odes of Solomon and Frank Andersen and Old Testament
work in Brisbane; Garry Trompf and Tony Swain for indigenous religions in
Sydney; Iain Gardner, formerly in Perth and now in Sydney, for the Coptic
documents from Roman Kellis; Elizabeth Isichei and African religions at Otago
University; Paul Morris for Jewish studies and religious poetry at Victoria Uni-
versity; and Brian Colless for ancient near eastern religions at Massey
University, to name just a few.
In Australia, the caliber of some contemporary key scholars within
Departments of Studies in Religion has been recognized by their election to
the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of the Humanities—Philip Almond,
Majella Franzmann, Iain Gardner, Michael Lattke, and Garry Trompf.
Institutionalization
Departments of studies in religion grew from the first major development phase
in the 1970s, although the discipline group remained relatively small overall.
Departments or small discipline groups were introduced gradually in other
places. The University of Waikato introduced Religious Studies in 1988 with
Douglas Pratt, with an emphasis on world religions and interfaith dialogue.
The University of New England introduced Studies in Religion in 1992, and
from 1994 for almost a decade, Majella Franzmann developed a course in world
religions as the sole full-time member of staff.
1111
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1011
1
2
3111
4 5 6 7 8 9
20111
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
30111
1
2
3
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35
6
7
8
9
40111
42222
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AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
225
