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.

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

Associate Dean, Professor Joy Bostic, featured for her focus on community inclusive environments

Dr. Joy Bostic, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement, and an associate professor of religious studies, was featured on the College of Arts and Sciences News page for her dedication to fostering an inclusive academic environment through initiatives that promote diverse faculty recruitment and community involvement. With a background in social justice and leadership, Dr. Bostic emphasizes empathetic listening and collaboration as essential tools for building a more inclusive campus.

Read the feature here

Religious Studies Courses for the Spring 2025 Semester

With the first exams of the Fall semester behind us, it’s never too early to look toward the future! Registration for the Spring 2025 semester begins on November 11th, are you ready to beat the crowd and build your dream schedule? Now is your chance to plan ahead; spring courses are officially live on SIS!

See the complete list and descriptions for all RLGN classes offered, here.

For JWST, visit here.

For AFST, visit here.

Second of Five Finite Future Lectures: Andrea Jain, “Swallowing the Future: Cynicism, Nostalgia, and Other Capitalist Techniques for Going Nowhere” 10/10/24

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?

Andrea Jain, professor of religious studies at Indiana University, presents “Swallowing the Future: Cynicism, Nostalgia, and Other Capitalist Techniques for Going Nowhere,” the second lecture in a series of free public lectures by internationally renowned scholars and public intellectuals made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation

Thursday, October 10th at 4:30pm

Clapp Hall, Room 108

2080 Adelbert Rd. Cleveland, OH 44106

Free to the Public, no registration required

Andrea Jain is editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

Find her books here: Selling Yoga: From Counterculture to Pop Culture and Peace Love Yoga: The Politics of Global Spirituality

Read more about the lecture series and the Finite Futures project

Highlights

Nadia Bolz-Weber – Register Today!

A Finite Futures Lecture and an Explore Event

Renowned speaker, Nadia Bolz-Weber, shares her insight in this fourth lecture of the Finite Futures five-part lecture series.

Thursday, 11/7 @ 4pm in the Thwing Center Ballroom

This lecture is free to attend, register here.

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
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.