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.
Pope Francis’s Passing – Dr. Jonathan Tan discusses the legacy he left behind
The world mourns following the Monday morning news of the passing of Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Jonathan Tan, the Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor of Catholic Studies, is already busy reflecting on the legacy of the inspirational late Pope and discussing what comes next. As one can imagine of such a groundbreaking individual, there is much to discuss.
Dr. Tan was interviewed live on Singapore’s Channel News Asia (CNA) 938 News’ morning report with Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (Singapore time). He again appeared live with representatives from John Carroll University on Ideastream’s Sound of Ideas Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025, to speak on Pope Francis’ passing and legacy for Cleveland and beyond. The segment, “Northeast Ohio Catholics mourn Pope Francis and discuss his legacy,” is available in both video and audio formats.
His latest op-ed in UCANews, “Conclave will reflect Church’s new-found global orientation: Pope Francis sowed the seeds for the internationalization of the papal office itself” (April 24, 2025), focuses on how Pope Francis has transformed the papal conclave which will elect his successor, and what this means for the Papacy going forward. Dr. Tan will also appear on BBC Newsday with Steve Lai (TV) this evening, Thursday, April 24, 9 PM (Friday, April 25, 9 AM Singapore time) to talk about Pope Francis’ legacy and the 2025 papal conclave.
This page will be updated as more events and information become available, so stay tuned!
Talk and Film Screenings by the esteemed filmmaker, screenwriter, and director, Pawo Choyning Dorji
Pawo Choyning Dorji, will be visiting CWRU from Wednesday, April 23rd through Friday, April 25th, to screen his films and deliver a talk titled, “Untying Knots of Light and Sculpting Time: Storytelling in Bhutan”. This talk will focus on the themes of interdependence, impermanence, and the motivation behind storytelling. Drawing from personal experiences, along with spiritual and cultural insights, filmmaker, screenwriter, and director Dorji explores how Bhutanese stories are deeply interwoven with Buddhist principles, reflecting Bhutan’s unique perspective on creativity, existence, and happiness.
This event is presented in partnership with the Departments of Religious Studies and English and the Asian Studies Program.
Pawo Choyning Dorji is a 2025 Hildegarde and Elbert Baker Visiting Scholar in the Humanities.
First two events are free and open to the public
Registration for each is requested.
Film Screening and Discussion: Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
Wednesday, April 23rd; 7pm
Strosacker Auditorium
Untying Knots of Light and Sculpting Time: Storytelling in Bhutan
Thursday, April 24th; 4pm
Eldred Hall Room 203
For “The Monk and the Gun,” get your ticket here
Film Screening and Discussion: The Monk and the Gun
Friday, April 25th; 7pm
Cinematheque at the Cleveland Institute of Art
“A Day in the Life of Al Green’s Internet, A Career of Studying It: Black Language, Culture and Technology – on Campus and in Community” a lecture by Adam Banks
Adam J. Banks will be giving a talk on Thursday, March 20th at 2pm titled, “A Day in the Life of Al Green’s Internet, A Career of Studying It: Black Language, Culture and Technology – on Campus and in Community;” register below.
From texts to techne, from technological artifacts to discourses on science and technology, from participation and innovation to critique and resistance, from FUNK to the sermon and the need for a Black digital hermeneutic, we’ll explore how Black people in this society have engaged with the mutually constitutive relationships that endure between humans and their technologies.
Why can a rhetorical approach be an interdisciplinary hub for humanistic inquiry into technology and tech issues? Exactly what is a “Black digital rhetoric”? How do Black engagements with digital technologies illuminate—and trouble—tensions between liberatory possibilities and ongoing oppressions?
In his talk, Adam Banks, Bass Fellow in Undergraduate Education, and Professor of Education and African and African American Studies (by courtesy) at Stanford University, will use these questions, explorations, and provocations to share reflections on scholarship, teaching and pedagogy and his efforts to take intellectual work off campus and into local communities.
Thursday, March 20th at 2pm
Clark Hall Room 206
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 Tuesday, April 1st 2025. To apply, complete the application cover sheet and additional requirements, then send to jesse.friedman@case.edu
Winners will be announced Thursday, May 1st 2025. Good Luck!
CAS Summer Spotlight – Jue Liang
Religious Studies newest faculty member, Dr. Jue Liang, was featured in the College of Arts and Sciences summer spotlight, focusing on her recent world travels. Click here to read more and get a taste of her journey.
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.