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.

Dr. Sarma quoted in NPR’s article on Diwali, the Festival of Lights

NPR sheds some light on India’s most widely celebrated holiday, Diwali, also known as Deepavali and the Hindu “Festival of Lights”. The celebration is observed around the world for 1 to 5 days, beginning this year on October 31st. Dr. Sarma shares their insight into its history and significance, as well as reminding us that you don’t have to be Hindu or Indian to celebrate Diwali. To learn more, read the article here: What is Diwali: Here’s all you should know : NPR

Nadia Bolz-Weber, “Let There Be Snacks (and Sex and Songs): Finding a Defiant Hope in What Makes Us Most Human,” the Fourth of Five Finite Futures Lectures 11/7/24

What if it’s too late to avoid some kind of ecological catastrophe? Maybe it’s not, and we should be doing everything we can so that it isn’t. Still, what if it is? Shouldn’t we also be talking about that? What kind of a future do we want to create for ourselves on such a horizon? What might it mean to collapse well?

Renowned speaker, Nadia Bolz-Weber, presents “Let There Be Snacks (and Sex and Songs): Finding a Defiant Hope in What Makes Us Most Human,” the fourth lecture in a series of free public lectures by internationally renowned scholars and public intellectuals made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation

Thursday, November 7th at 4pm

Thwing Center, Excelsior Ballroom

11111 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106

An Explore Event, Free to the Public, Register Here

Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, founder of House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver, Co, creator and host of the podcast The Confessional (produced in conjunction with The Moth), and author of three NYT bestselling memoirs. She writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and really whatever the hell else she wants to. She always sits in the corner with the other weirdoes. Nadia can be found a couple days a week inside the Denver women’s prison where she is a volunteer chaplain.

You can subscribe to The Corners to receive her writing in your inbox weekly

Find her bestselling memoirs here: Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith Of A Sinner & Saint (2013, and re-released in 2021), Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People (2015), and SHAMELESS: A Sexual Reformation (2019).

“Qurʾān Translations and US Muslim Pamplets: Lived Religion, Revivalist Aspirations, and the Culture Wars” Dr. Justine Howe Online Lecture

Dr. Justine Howe will be presenting her talk “Qurʾān Translations and US Muslim Pamplets: Lived Religion, Revivalist Aspirations, and the Culture Wars” as a part of the GloQur Conversations on Qurʾān Translations Online Talk Series.

Tuesday, October 29th 2024

9am – 10:20am EDT

Online: Zoom

Register here

Third of Five Finite Futures Lectures: Mayra Rivera, “Icons for Tempestuous Times” 10/24/24

What if it’s too late to avoid some kind of ecological catastrophe? Maybe it’s not, and we should be doing everything we can so that it isn’t. Still, what if it is? Shouldn’t we also be talking about that? What kind of a future do we want to create for ourselves on such a horizon? What might it mean to collapse well?

Mayra Rivera, professor of Religion and Latine Studies at Harvard University, presents, “Icons for Tempestuous Times,” the third lecture in a series of free public lectures by internationally renowned scholars and public intellectuals made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation

Thursday, October 24th at 4:00pm

Clapp Hall, Room 108

2080 Adelbert Rd. Cleveland, OH 44106

Free to the Public, no registration required

Mayra Rivera works at the intersections between philosophy of religion, literature, and theories of coloniality, race and gender — with particular attention to Caribbean thought. Rivera is currently working on a book that explores the relationships between coloniality and ecology through Caribbean thought

Find her most recent book here: Poetics of the Flesh (2015)

Read more about the lecture series and the Finite Futures project

Highlights

Finite Future Lecture Series

Explore Event opportunities

What if it’s too late to avoid ecological catastrophe? How might we begin to imagine alternative ways forward on such a horizon?

A series of free public lectures by internationally renowned scholars and public intellectuals made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Speakers, dates, and times below. All events are free and open to the public.

Read more about the lecture series and the Finite Futures project

9/25 @ 6pm, Thwing BallroomBayo Akomolafe – an Explore event
10/10 @ 4:30pm, Clapp Hall 108Andrea Jain
10/24 @ 4pm, Clapp Hall 108 – Mayra Rivera
11/7 @ 4pm, Thwing Ballroom Nadia Bolz-Weber an Explore event – register here
11/21 @ 4:30pm, Clapp Hall 108 Sylvester Johnson

CAS Summer Spotlight – Jue Liang

Religious Studies newest faculty member, Dr. Jue Liang, was featured in the College of Arts and Sciences summer spotlight, focusing on her recent world travels. Click here to read more and get a taste of her journey.

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.