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Two ���ϰٿ� professors will discuss the role of religion in politics as part of ���ϰٿ� Downtown: Conversations About Things that Matter. The event, “Does Religion Belong in Politics? Reflections in the Midst of the 2008 Campaign,” is free and open to the public, Thursday, Oct. 16, at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara St., at 5:30 p.m.

Jesse Covington, assistant professor of political science, and Telford Work, associate professor of religious studies, will reflect on faith’s place in American politics and politics’ place in American faith.

“The interaction of religion and politics involves intense personal commitments, high stakes, and thorny constitutional and theological questions,” Covington says. “Amidst a cacophony of competing perspectives, these issues call for careful reflection and responsible dialogue, particularly as we approach an important presidential election.”

Covington, who holds master’s degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Westminster Theological Seminary, graduated from Pepperdine University and received his doctorate from Notre Dame with a dissertation titled “Taken on Faith: The Concept of Religion in First Amendment Jurisprudence. “ He began teaching political theory and constitutional law at ���ϰٿ� in fall 2007 after teaching at Wheaton College in Illinois for two years.

Work’s latest book, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg: Living Through the Lord’s Prayer,” treats topics including American politics, sociology, and economics theologically. He received the Faculty Research Award at Commencement in May. Work graduated from Stanford University in political science, earned a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and received a doctorate in theology and ethics from Duke University.

The lecture is part of the ���ϰٿ� Downtown lecture series, sponsored by the ���ϰٿ� Foundation, reaching out and engaging the larger Santa Barbara and Montecito communities.