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 Faculty highlighted in Art / Sci Magazine
Art / Sci Magazine has published their lasted issue, highlighting Religious Studies faculty members in the feature “A Thriving Culture.”
Dr. Michele Berger, director of the Baker-Nord Center for the humanities, is leading efforts to expand the reach of the annual Cleveland Humanities Festival. This year’s festival centered on the multifaceted concept of awe across cultures and time. Read more about “Awe” here.
This spring, Dr. Timothy Beal and Dr. Michael Hemenway, a research fellow, created and co-taught a new course tackling the current AI phenomenon titled, “Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship”.
The Cleveland Humanities Collaborative (CHC), co-directed by Dr. Brian Clites and Dr. Kurt Koenigsberger, associate professor of English, provides local community college students who are seeking a degree in the humanities with opportunities to join the CWRU community. Read more about CHC here.
And
Dr. Jue Liang, Religious Studies newest faculty member, was recently awarded a “flash grant” to create a course for the Fall 2024 semester, “Ghosts, Zombies, and Monsters: What We Fear and Loathe in Religions.”
(Featured Photo by Matt Shiffler)
“This Little Light of Mine” – An Interview with Dr. Joy Bostic
Following her keynote lecture at Oxford University, “It Feels So Good to Be Alive”, Dr. Joy Bostic spoke with Beshara Magazine about the importance of Africana spirituality and its expression in popular music and dance, not just for the black community, but for all of us in the contemporary world.
“Making Sense of Trauma: Israel’s Black Sabath and its Aftermath” Dr. Alanna Cooper lecture and reception
Wednesday, May 1st 2024
12pm – 1:30pm
UPDATE: Dively Room 213
This lecture by Dr. Alanna Cooper analyzes the cultural work born out of the trauma experienced by Israel’s citizens on October 7. Research explores the existential patterns Israelis seek to make sense of their wounds, as well as the ways in which they assemble a set of hopes and fears for how they might be healed.
Free to attend and open to all members of the Case Western Reserve University community.
Refreshments are to follow.
Dr. Jonathan Tan quoted in USA Today
USA Today’s latest article, “Share of US Catholics backing legal abortion rises as adherents remain at odds with church” (USA Today, April 20, 2024) on the changing demographics of the US Catholic Church, features insight from Dr. Jonathan Tan
Highlights
Fulfill your Gen Ed Requirements with Religious Studies
Registration for Fall ’24 has begun and the competition is fierce! Finding the right course for you to satisfy your UGER can be a challenge in this currently changing system. Religious Studies, along with the Jewish Studies program and Minor in Africana Studies, have a wide variety of courses suited for your needs!
Click here for the full list of courses offered as RLGN, JDST, and AFST that satisfy UGER – courses with open seats for Fall ’24 are highlighted in blue
Internship Opportunity: The New Gutenberg Annex Hebrew Fellow
Are you curious about language and enjoy working with your hands? Want to learn a new technical skill that is also a creative art, and get PAID? Come join our team in the new Gutenberg Annex, CWRU’s very own letterpress studio, located on the ground floor of Bellflower House.
We are inviting applicants to serve as the studios first Hebrew Fellow. The studio contains presses for the printing of chapbooks and broadsides; a variety of metal and wood type, in Latin and Hebrew fonts; and all the necessary supplies and “furniture” for producing unique letterpress prints. As an NGA Hebrew Fellow, you will be trained to work on press and to assist faculty and other students with course work and extra-curricular projects. You will also learn to work independently and with studio staff to create your own unique letterpress prints.
Fall Stipend: $2500
Time Commitment: at least 6 hours per week
Application Deadline: September 15, 2024
Interested? Please send you latest CV and portfolio to: Professor Kurt Koenigsberger at kmk25@case.edu and Professor Barbara Mann at bem71@case.edu
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.