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.
Encountering Self and Other: A Conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama
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.
Dr. Jonathan Tan interview on the JustLove Show, “Marathon, Mission, and the Saints”
On All Saints Day, November 1st, 2025, Dr. Jonathan Tan, Archbishop Paul Hallinan Professor of Catholic Studies, was interviewed by Monsignor Kevin Sullivan on the JustLove Show on Sirius/XM Catholic Channel 129. They discussed the importance of Saints in the Catholic tradition, highlighting two recently canonized by Pope Leo XIV – Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Peter To Rot, the first Saint from Papua New Guinea – and their relevance for the faithful today.
The episode can be found here, with Dr. Tan’s interview occurring during the second half of the show.
Dr. Timothy Beal to be a panelist at the Jewish Theological Seminary for “Upholding Human Dignity in Turbulent Times: An Interreligious Convening”
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
Ghosts, Zombies, and Monsters: What They Can Teach Us about Religion — An Explore Event!
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!
Highlights
RLGN 249: Sacred Places and Pilgrimage in Buddhism
Mondays & Wednesdays 12:45pm – 2:00pm
Professor Jue Liang
RLGN 249 is one of our newest courses being introduced this fall. Seats are still available!
What makes a place sacred? How do people interact with these sacred places and build community around them? What does it mean to be present? And what are the different expressions of presence in pilgrimage? It engages with practices of space and movement in its rich expressions — literary, artistic, somatic, and psychological, to name a few. Together, the instructor and students will construct a toolkit for experiencing bodily agency, empathy, and community building by approaching the themes of place and movement from a multitude of perspectives.
This course counts as UGER Human Diversity & Commonality
Questions? Email Professor Liang at jue.liang@case.edu
Alumni Spotlight 2025
Welcome to the Religious Studies Alumni Spotlight, where we celebrate the diverse successes and outstanding talent that define our alumni community.
This edition focuses on Chloe Gerus, a 2021 CWRU alumna and Religious Studies major, who has navigated her post-graduate journey with exceptional accomplishments