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 Courses for the Fall 2026 Semester
Registration for the Fall 2026 semester begins on April 6th, are you ready to beat the crowd and build your dream schedule? Now is your chance to plan ahead; fall courses are officially live on SIS!
See the complete list and descriptions for all RLGN classes offered, here.
For JWST (and HBRW), visit here.
For AFST, visit here.
Dr. Sarma quoted in HuffPost
Dr. Deepak Sarma, inaugural distinguished scholar in the public humanities, quoted as expert in recent article, “MAGA Attacks James Talarico Over Views on Christianity. There’s 1 Reason Why, Expert Says.” (HuffPost, March 12, 2026). Sarma said that ‘they believe the right-wing attacks against Talarico are motivated by one reason: “They hope to gaslight Christians across the United States to believe that their views that Christ defended the oppressed is not correct, and that having such beliefs is neither American nor Christian.”’
Dr. Timothy Beal presents “What’s So Generative About Generative AI?”
Dr. Timothy Beal presents his talk “What’s So Generative About Generative AI?: How and Why the Humanities Have a Future” as part of The Speaker Series 2026 hosted at Penn State on March 5th, 2026.
Timothy Beal is a scholar and writer who explores the dynamic fields of technology, religion, ecology, and AI in the humanities and higher education. A professor of religion at Case Western Reserve University, he studies the spiritual and ethical considerations of the innovations that are shaping our world.
Dr. Jue Liang Awarded Franklin Research Grant
Prof. Jue Liang has been awarded a Franklin Research Grant (https://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/franklin-research-grants) from the American Philosophical Society in support of her research project “Souls on the Road: Pilgrimages to Tibet in the Chinese Religious Revival.” This book-length project centers around expressions of religiosity found on the two major roads connecting Sichuan Province and Tibet Autonomous Region in China. It queries the act of embarking on the journey itself – on foot, on a bike, driving – as a spiritual pursuit, in the context of the contemporary religious revival in China.
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!