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  • Flyer for the Bruce's event
  • Jainism Pic
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  • Doug Hoffman '75
  • Flyer for the Bruce's event
    Transfinite Life: A Symposium in Honor of Bruce Rosenstock

    Event program will be posted shortly. 

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  • Jainism Pic
    New Jain Studies Course: A Special Collaboration with the Rietberg Museum, Zurich

    THE JAIN WAY: PAST AND PRESENT OF AN INDIAN RELIGION (Fall 2023 T/TH 12:30-1:50)

    For more on the Rietberg Museum see here. 

     

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    Nearing Our 50th Anniversary

    Teaching Sensitive Aspects of Culture to a Growing Variety of Students

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  • Doug Hoffman '75
    Religious Studies alumnus, Douglas H. Hoffman ('75), receives LAS Distinguished Service Award
    Learn More
  • Left image of Dr. Stephanie Mota Thurston and right image of Dr. Mukhtar Ali, both on a light beige background with "new junior faculty" heading

    Two New Assistant Professors

    The Department of Religion is thrilled to announce the addition of two new assistant professors. These new members of our community continue the department’s long-standing commitment to excellence in research and teaching and bring exciting new areas of expertise to our campus. Dr. Stephanie Mota Thurston Dr. Thurston’s research and teaching interests include...
    Read full story Two New Assistant Professors
  • Pic of Bruce

    Remembering Bruce Rosenstock

    It is with a heavy heart that the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics announces the passing of Bruce Rosenstock, professor of religion and director of graduate studies in the Department of Religion. Bruce joined the Department of Religion in 2002 and was an expert in biblical theology, political theology, and modern Jewish...
    Read full story Remembering Bruce Rosenstock
  • Depiction of Hell with red skies silhouetting trees and bushes

    College of LAS names Department's Dov Weiss as a Conrad Humanities Scholar

    Four professors from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences have been named 2021 Conrad Humanities Scholars, including Dov Weiss from the Religion Department. The Conrad Humanities Scholars Award is a five year designation that recognizes promising mid-career scholars and provides financial...
    Read full story College of LAS names Department's Dov Weiss as a Conrad Humanities Scholar

More Department News

Calendar

More Events

Recent Award Winners

Jowita Warias

Thulin Prize for Excellence in the Study of Religion (Undergraduate)
pic of Jowita

Avery Elsner

The Hoffman Family Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Study of Religion
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Avery Elsner

Emma Folkenroth

Thulin Prize for Excellence in the Study of Religion (Graduate)
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Dylan Gunn

Thulin Prize for Excellence in the Study of Religion (Undergraduate)
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David Justice

Thulin Prize for Excellence in the Study of Religion (Graduate)
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Career Paths in Religion

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    Business Areas
  • culture icon with handprint
    Education areas
  • global studies icon with globe
    International Areas
  • religion icon with cross, star, and moon symbols
    Religious Professions
  • pic of midrash
    REL 416

    World of the Rabbis (Fall 2023 W 3:00-5:30)

    This seminar course, taught by Dov Weiss, will familiarize students with the foundational texts of Judaism – the Midrash and Talmud (3rd c. -8th c. C.E.). Our themes for the semester will be God, Torah, Jesus/Christianity, Heresy, Heaven and Hell, and Mysticism and more. Texts will be studied in in...
    Course Description for REL 416
  • pic of bridge
    REL 494

    THE JAIN WAY: PAST AND PRESENT OF AN INDIAN RELIGION (Fall 2023 T/TH 12:30-1:50)

    The course, put together in collaboration with the Rietberg Museum, Zurich (Switzerland), is a tribute to the recent exhibition Being Jain: Art and Culture of an Indian Religion held at the Museum Rietberg in Zurich (Switzerland) from November 2022 to April 2023 (...
    Course Description for REL 494
  • Martin and Malcolm
    REL 199

    Becoming Martin and Malcolm (Spring 2023, T/TH 3:30-4:50 PM)

    Few Black leaders are held in as high esteem as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Yet public media habitually represents these ministers as rivals, even adversaries—one the nonviolent hero of the Civil Rights Era, the other a violent revolutionary. While their rhetoric and protest strategies...
    Course Description for REL 199
  • pic of demonstrators
    REL 231

    Religion and Philosophy (Spring 2023, T/TH 9:30 - 10:50)

    What does it mean to live well, to live a good or meaningful life? Are the answers to this question timeless, or are they determined by our social location? What resources do the Western philosophical and Christian religious traditions offer in response to this question? And what considerations do...
    Course Description for REL 231
  • Image on left of Apocalypse tapestry and right Let the Church Roar Prayer Rally
    REL 511

    Apocalypse (Fall 2021, T/TH 2:00-3:20 pm)

    The term “apocalypse” refers to a “removal of the veil”—the veil, that is, that hides the secrets of the cosmos from most people and that is pulled back for only a chosen few.  “Apocalyptic” more commonly refers to visions of the end time and to the movements that shape themselves in response to...
    Course Description for REL 511
  • Stack of books on wooden table
    REL 510

    Graduate Intro to Religion (Fall 2021, M 3:00-5:50 pm)

    Introduction for first semester graduate students to selected methods and techniques for conducting research in the area of Religion. Students will receive general guidance on strategies for conducting bibliographic research and designing research projects. Includes study of some currently salient...
    Course Description for REL 510
  • Tree of Life
    REL 332

    Interfaith Service and Theory

      This course is designed for students seeking the Certificate in Interaith Studies though other students may enroll if there is space.  The syllabus is available...
    Course Description for REL 332

Department of Religion
School of Literatures, Cultures &  Linguistics
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

2090 Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics Building
707 S. Mathews Ave. | MC-166
Urbana, Illinois 61801
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Phone: (217) 333-0473
Fax: (217) 244-4019

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