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Religious Studies
rels@umn.edu
612-624-5233
rels@umn.edu
612-624-5233
News Archive
New book by Professor Iraj Bashiri
Ancient Iran: Cosmology, Mythology, History presents Iran's pre-Islamic history within the context of both its complex cosmology and rich mythology. More information available at https://titles.cognella.com/ancient-iran-9781609275211.html
William O. Beeman interview on Iran--KFAI February 9, 2012
Professor William O. Beeman, Chair of the Department of Anthropology, interviewed with KFAI's Catalyst on February 9, 2012 on Iran and the current political situation. You can access the interview through their web site for two weeks at
AMSS (UK) BUILDING BRIDGES AWARD 2012 to be presented to PROFESSOR NABIL MATAR
PROFESSOR NABIL MATAR will receive the
award at the University of Cambridge during
a lecture he will present on:
Henry Stubbe and the
Prophet Muhammad:
ChallengIng
MisrepresentationPRS Graduating Senior to Intern with GreyWolf Press
Recent Religious Studies graduate Carmen Wood will begin an internship with GreyWolf Press in 2012!
The Park 51/Ground Zero Controversy and Sacred Sites as Contested Space
Jeanne Kilde's article, "The Park 51/Ground Zero Controversy and Sacred Sites as Contested Space," was recently published by the open access, peer-reviewed journal Religions.
View it onlineRecent Library Acquisition in the Study of Religion
University of Minnesota Libraries has recently acquired new titles in Religious Studies. Learn More
New Core and Affiliated Faculty
The Religious Studies Program is pleased to announce the addition of two new "core" members and eight new "affiliated" members to its ranks.
New members include:
- William O. Beeman, Anthropology
- Ruth Karras, History
- Dean Billmeyer, School of Music
- Spencer Cole, Classical and Near Eastern Studies
- Maria Damon, English
- Alan Love, Philosophy
- Tom Pepper, Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature
- Derk Renwick, Program in Religious Studies
- Ozayr Saloojee, School of Architecture
- Andrew Scheil, English
Wendy Doniger Lecture
The Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of the History of Religions in the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, and author of groundbreaking work on myth and Hinduism, will be the featured speaker at this year's Religious Studies Summer Workshop. The workshop will focus on research and teaching around issues in Text and Orality and will also feature U of M faculty speakers. The workshop is planned for Monday, May 24 (9:00 - 4:00) and Tuesday, May 25 (9:00 - 12:00). Registration for the workshop (seating is limited) will begin in late March but pre-registration for U of M faculty and graduate students is available immediately by contacting Jeanne Kilde at jkilde@umn.edu.
Professor Calvin Roetzel: Final Classroom Lecture
On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, Professor Calvin Roetzel, Sundet Chair in New Testament and Christian Studies, gave his final classroom lecture as a university professor culminating a long career as an internationally recognized New Testament and Pauline scholar.
Sundet Lecture
Friday, February 19
4:00pm in 275 Nicholson
Sundet Lecture sponsored by Classical and Near Eastern Studies. Speaker, title, and flier forthcoming.Harold C. Andersen Scholarship
Applications for the Harold C. Anderson Scholarship in Religious Studies are due April 1, 2010. The competition is open to current sophomores and juniors majoring in Religious Studies. The Harold C. Anderson scholarship is funded by friends who wish to commemorate Dr. Anderson's generosity and support of students of the University of Minnesota as well as his interest in Religious Studies. This year we plan to make one or more awards of $4,000 each.
Students who wish to apply should submit:
1. A one-page statement of personal and academic goals in Religious Studies
2. A one-page statement of education-related financial need
3. A transcript (which may be unofficial)
4. A letter (e-mail) of recommendation from a faculty instructor (e-mails should be sent directly to Jeanne Kilde at jkilde@umn.edu).Religious Studies is now on Facebook
New Director of Graduate Studies
The Religious Studies Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann Waltner (History, Asian Languages & Literatures, and Institute for Advanced Study) as Director of Graduate Studies.
The Program heartily thanks Phil Sellew (Classical and Near Eastern Studies) for his many years of dedicated service in the position.
New Core and Affiliated Faculty
The Religious Studies Program is pleased to announce the addition of four new faculty "core" members and two new faculty "affiliated" members to its ranks.
New members include:
* Bernard Bachrach, History
* Bali Sahota, Asian Languages & Literatures
* JB Shank, History
* Theofanis Stavrou, History
* Hernan Vidal, Emeritus, Spanish and Portuguese
* John Watkins, EnglishHistory of religion tops historians' research interests
According to the American Historical Association, the most frequently selected field of interest among their members in 2009 was "history of religion," which was selected by 7.7% of the 15,055 members. Religion nudged out Cultural History for the top spot by a mere .2% More information can be found here.
The Immortal Woman: A New Article From CLA Discoveries
History professor and Religious Studies Steering Committee member, Ann Waltner uncovers the story of Ming-era Tanyangzi: visionary, mystic, immortal.
Spring 2009 Newsletter
Read the premier issue of the Religious Studies Program newsletter (PDF).
Online Encyclopedia of Jewish Women
The Jewish Women's Archive is proud to announce the launch of the online version of Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia, originally produced by Alice and Moshe Shalvi of Shalvi Publishing Ltd. This new resource will be available for free at jwa.org/encyclopedia beginning March 1, 2009.
A New Book
Sacred Power, Sacred Space: An Introduction to Christian Architecture and Worship, by Religious Studies Program director, Jeanne Halgren Kilde, has just been published by Oxford University Press.
