Department of Religious Studies

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. Justine Howe Featured on the New Books Network Podcast

Dr. Howe was featured on the New Books Network podcast to discuss her new book Suburban Islam.

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5 questions with… Associate Professor Joy Bostic, teacher of “Religion and Popular Culture” course

As soon as Joy Bostic heard Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy award-winning album DAMN., she knew she had to develop a class around it. It became the basis for her well-received “Religion and Popular Culture” course. Though the standard course registration timing had passed, she listed the course online as an option for students. By the next morning, she received a call from the department assistant asking if she wanted to put a cap on registrations; nearly 50 students had already signed up. In the fall 2017 course, Bostic and her students examined the religious aspects of Lamar’s work. The course became a new take on similar concepts she had discussed in another of her popular classes, one exploring singer-songwriter Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, which was first offered in spring 2017 and is being taught again this semester.

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Dr. Brian Clites’ Article with The Conversation Featured in The Daily

The survivors of clergy sexual abuse who finally pushed the Vatican to recognize the problem

The Conversation: Brian Clites, instructor in the Department of Religious Studies, wrote about survivor networks that have formed for those impacted by sexual abuse in the Catholic church and how the church’s leaders have responded to the crisis.

http://theconversation.com/the-survivors-of-clergy-sexual-abuse-who-finally-pushed-the-vatican-to-recognize-the-problem-110873

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