The Department of Religious Studies examines religious beliefs, institutions and practices using approaches from the humanities, arts, social sciences and sciences. The academic study of religion, combined with appropriate courses in other fields, provides an excellent background for any professional career—including law, engineering, medicine and health care professions, journalism, social work and others—and for graduate studies in a number of fields.

A major in religious studies provides a well-rounded liberal arts education or can be combined conveniently with a second major. Minors or sequences in religious studies complement and broaden any field chosen as a major.

Award winning show consulted on by Religious Department’s own, Deepak Sarma

Professor Deepak Sarma, in addition to their University duties, is a cultural consultant for Netflix, Mattel, and Moonbug, and has worked on projects such as “Deepa & Anoop” and “CoComelon Lane”. For the last several years, they consulted on the new YouTube series, “Ghee Happy”, which has just been awarded the 51st Annie Award’s “Best TV/ Media – Preschool” in the field of 2023 animation! The series is a playful reimagining of the Hindu deities as little kids discovering their powers in a deity daycare. Full episodes, shorts, and music videos can all be found at the Ghee Happy Studio on YouTube. From all of us here in the Religious Studies Department, we wish you a warm congratulations, Deepak!

Enroll in “Introducing Judaism” for Spring semester 2024!

Enrollment is open for RLGN 173: Introducing Judaism, an excellent way to broaden the depth of your religious studies! Join today to take advantage of the expertise of our own Professor Alanna Cooper.

Counts as Arts & Humanities Breadth Requirement

Applications now being accepted for Inaugural Mandel Fellowships

The college is looking for up to eight first-year students to become inaugural recipients of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation’s Fellowship in the new Experimental Humanities program at Case Western Reserve!

This is a bold initiative to integrate the liberal arts and STEM in order to address the rapidly evolving technological landscape and today’s most pressing societal issues.

Students in this exciting program will blend humanities-oriented critical reflection with hands-on experimenting and skills development in new technologies, enabling them to ask deep questions about the ethical, philosophical and socio-cultural implications of scientific and technological change.

We encourage first-year (2023-24) students who have a passionate interest in this area of study to apply for the Mandel Fellowship by no later than Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, for a chance to be part of the inaugural class, which begins with the 2024 spring semester.

American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, November 18-21, 2023 in San Antonio Texas

Faculty members in the Department of Religious Studies will be presenting and participating in panel discussions on a wide range of interdisciplinary topics at the 2023 American Academy of Religion annual meeting.

Click here to learn more about the topics and panels covered

Highlights

Reisacher Summer Fellowship applications

Applications for the Reisacher Summer Fellowship are due April 1st, 2024. Complete and submit this cover sheet and the additional requirements to jesse.friedman@case.edu

Winners will be notified by May 1, 2024.

Alumni Spotlight – Liz Hanna

Introducing the Religious Studies Alumni Spotlight, where we celebrate the diverse successes and outstanding talent that define our alumni community.

This edition focuses on Liz Hanna, a 2020 CWRU alumna and Religious Studies minor, who has navigated her post-graduate journey with exceptional accomplishments.