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.
Religious Studies Spring 2026 Capstone Presentations
Join us in support of your fellow classmates as they present their capstone projects. Ask questions, pick their brains, and learn something along the way!
Wednesday, April 8th, 6pm
Crawford Hall, Rm A09
Refreshments will be provided
Medha Bhimaraju – Capstone
“Narrating Suffering and Practicing Healing in Zen Buddhist and Charismatic Christian Communities in the United States”
Asha Kartha – Honors Thesis
“Developing in Turmoil: Jewish Identity in Higher Education After October 7th”
Lily Stuart – Honors Thesis
“Gospels for Nonbelievers: Concerts and American Spirituality”
“VCET: Vibe-Coded Ed-Tech Challenge” – Dr. Timothy Beal’s Experimental Humanities Grant in Action
The VCET: Vibe-Coded Ed-Tech Challenge is an experimental, hands-on event led by Dr. Timothy Beal that invites students and participants to explore new forms of digital creativity using AI-powered “vibe coding.” Vibe coding is a new way to build software by describing what you want in plain English. Instead of writing code, you focus on the vibe: what do you want learners to experience – curiosity, empathy, resilience? a deeper appreciation of complexity and ambiguity? a whole new understanding of what it means to be human in this more-than-human world? AI handles the code. There are two ways to participate, Ideas, for those without coding experience, or Coding, for those who with experience.
April 17–19, 2026 • Nord Hall 356
Click here to learn more about the event, the two tracks, and how to apply.
Application deadline: 5:00 PM, Sunday, April 12, 2026
New Course for Fall 2026: “Sharp Edges/Tender Bodies: Religion, Health and Resilience.”
Religious Studies is offering a new course this Fall 2026, RLGN 225: “Sharp Edges/Tender Bodies: Religion, Health and Resilience,” created and taught by Professor Michele Tracy Berger on Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30-12:45.
This course examines how women of color understand, negotiate, and practice health through religious belief, spirituality, and embodied knowledge. Through interdisciplinary texts, narratives, and case studies, students explore how faith traditions shape experiences of illness, healing, wellness, activism, and care in the context of race, gender, and power.
This course satisfies the Human Diversity and Commonality requirement and can count toward the Africana Studies Minor.
Dr. Deepak Sarma quoted in Huff Post
Dr. Deepak Sarma, inaugural distinguished scholar in the public humanities, quoted as expert in recent article, “Sarah Huckabee Sanders Leveled This Dig After Restaurant Drama. An Expert Says It’s A Tactic.” (HuffPost, March 23, 2026). Sarma said that ‘Sanders’ statements are a “blatant attempt to gaslight and hijack the narrative.” It’s ‘ironic’ that “MAGA has been a small and borderline group that has commandeered the U.S. government and the media, and has claimed to speak on behalf of all Americans.”’
Highlights
Reisacher Summer Fellowship
Up to $3,000 in Summer Funding for Students in Religious Studies
Applications for the annual Reisacher Summer Fellowship are due Wednesday, April 1st 2026. To apply, complete the application cover sheet and additional requirements, then send to jesse.friedman@case.edu
Winners will be announced Friday, May 1st 2026. Good Luck!