College of Arts and Sciences

USA Today reached out to Dr. Jonathan Tan, the Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor in Catholic Studies I, for comment in their recent article, “‘Nationalism on Steroids:’ Trump, Catholics battle over morality” (Jan. 21, 2026). “This is no mere minor statement but a major unanimous statement from all three actively serving U.S. cardinals challenging the trajectory of Trump’s foreign policy and its use of military force — not in self-defense, but for partisan political and economic self-interest,” said Dr. Tan.

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Dr. Deepak Sarma was quoted in the recent University World News article, “Ban on Plato readings leaves academics asking who’s next” (Jan 14, ’26). The conversation centered around distinguishing the differences between “epistemic humility” and “epistemic arrogance.”

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Dr. Deepak Sarma recently wrote an article published by Harvard Law’s Petrie-Flom Center, “Darśana: A More Inclusive Spiritual Framework”.

“The legal category of “religion,” rooted in a Euro-Christian episteme, has outlived its usefulness as a universal category. Despite this, it remains the dominant lens through which constitutional protections are granted, often inequitably and inconsistently. Emerging spiritualities, particularly those involving entheogenic (psychedelic) practices, are routinely marginalized by a system that was never designed to recognize them and that curtails their spiritual freedom.”

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Dr. Jonathan Tan, the Archbishop Palul J. Hallinan Professor in Catholic Studies, has had his latest essay, “Doing Liturgy Intersectionally: Opportunities and Implications” published in Worship volume 99 (October 2025): 338-360. This essay originated as his keynote address for the Godfrey Diekmann Center Graduate Symposium at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota on May 2, 2024.

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This event will feature a short talk by Pádraig Ó Tuama on the Baker-Nord Institue’s fall theme of “encounters,” followed by a reading of some of his poems with Michele Tracy Berger, Director of the Baker-Nord Institute for the Humanites and professor of the Religious Studies Department, and Q&A with the audience. Ó Tuama is an Irish poet with interests in language, violence, power, and religion. He is the host of On Being’s, Poetry Unbound, and has published volumes of poetry, essays, a memoir and theology, including his most recent publication, Kitchen Hymns.

This event is co-sponsored by the Departments of English and Religious Studies and the CWRU Writing Program/Writers House.

Thursday, November 6th at 4:30pm

Linsalata Alumni Ctr

A book sale and signing will immediately follow the event.

Registration for this event is now closed; all seats have been claimed.

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The episode can be found here, with Dr. Tan’s interview occurring during the second half of the show.

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The Jewish Theological Seminary’s, “Upholding Human Dignity in Turbulent Times: An Interreligious Convening” will take place on Monday and Tuesday, November 17th and 18th, 2025. This two-day convening will bring together religious leaders, scholars, and activists from diverse traditions to explore the urgent imperative of safeguarding human dignity, well-being, and fundamental rights in the face of ongoing challenges.

Dr. Timothy Beal, Distinguished University Professor and Florence Harkness Professor of Religion, will lend his expertise for Tuesday’s panel, Religious Ethics and Dehumanizing Potential of Emerging Technologies.

For more information visit Upholding Human Dignity in Turbulent Times: An Interreligious Convening – Jewish Theological Seminary

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Join Religious Studies faculty for a spooky and stimulating conversation! Have some candy and treats as we discuss ghosts, zombies, and monsters in religion and why we study them.

Wednesday, October 29th

4:30pm – 5:30pm

Mather 100

Halloween treats provided and counts towards Explore Credit!

Registration is requested.

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Case Western Reserve University, Baker-Nord Institute for the Humanities, is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a postdoctoral fellow position. This is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewing for an additional year.

The purpose of the BNC Postdoctoral Fellowship is to support research in the humanities by providing scholars in the early stages of their careers with the time and resources necessary to advance their work.  Fellows will be affiliated with one or more of the humanities departments represented by the Baker-Nord Institute for the Humanities including but not limited to: Classics, Religious Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures, and Art and Art History. We are particularly interested in Fellows whose scholarly and/or creative inquiry engage the following areas of speculation and the speculative, global Afrofuturism(s), and/or decolonial methods and approaches.

Click here for more information and to apply for this opportunity!

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