Kenny Paul Smith

Kenny Paul Smith serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University, holding a concurrent appointment as an Ogden Honors Fellow since 2021. His role encompasses teaching diverse undergraduate courses in Religious Studies and developing specialized curricula for the Honors College, including the upcoming Spring 2026 course on Western Astrology.

His academic credentials demonstrate interdisciplinary depth:

• B.A. in English, Georgia State University (1994)
• B.A. in Philosophy, Georgia State University (1996)
• M.A. in Philosophy, Georgia State University (1999)
• M.A. in Religious Studies, Georgia State University (2010)
• Ph.D. in American Religious Cultures, Emory University (2018)

Dr. Smith's research centers on the emergence and development of new religious movements and alternative spiritualities within American and global contexts. He critically examines comparative categories like religion, magic, myth, and ritual, while analyzing the shifting boundaries between religious phenomena and broader cultural frameworks. His recent work engages with the 'Superhumanities' concept pioneered by Jeff Kripal, which demands serious scholarly attention to paranormal phenomena and exposes the metaphysical foundations underlying religious studies.

Key research domains include:

• New Religious Movements
• Religion and Magic
• Parapsychology and Religion
• Native American Religions
• Comparative Religion
• Superhumanities
• Metaphysics of Religion

His scholarly output, though limited to one peer-reviewed publication in the provided text, demonstrates rigorous ethnographic engagement with contemporary religious phenomena. The 2008 Nova Religio article on Wiccan integration in suburban communities exemplifies his methodological approach of bridging theoretical frameworks with empirical observation of alternative spiritualities navigating mainstream societal structures.

Teaching excellence and academic service have been recognized through multiple honors:

• Tiger Athletic Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, LSU (2018)
• Doctoral Fellowship, Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University (2010-2015)
• Timothy Renick Award, Georgia State University (2010)
• Graduate Studies Scholarships from Georgia State University departments (1996-2010)

As an Ogden Honors Fellow, Dr. Smith actively shapes undergraduate education through innovative course design including REL 3203: Religion and Parapsychology and HNRS 2020 seminars on New Religious Movements. His curriculum development for Spring 2026's Western Astrology course reflects ongoing scholarly evolution. While no graduate student mentorship or research grants are documented in the source material, his extensive course offerings indicate deep commitment to pedagogical innovation in religious studies.