Why Study Religion?
International and Interdisciplinary Scholarship
Religion shapes, and is shaped by, every other dimension of human society. It is impossible to fully understand politics, law, history, or science without understanding religion. We invite you to learn more about the most interdisciplinary field in the university: Religious Studies.
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Graduate Program
Featured Story
Professor Elizabeth Shakman Hurd's Book Panel on 'Heaven Has a Wall'!
Professor Elizabeth Shakman Hurd’s new book “Heaven Has a Wall: Religion, Borders, and the Global United States” examines borders as sacred objects in American culture. Her book panel, hosted by the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs on May 21, explored the book’s themes ahead of its June release.
Find Your Direction
Alumna Adina Goldman had a path that led her from pre-med to English literature and biological anthropology and then to religious studies and music.
News and Events
Faculty in the News
Professor Kevin Buckelew's new book Discerning Buddhas was recently published! Congratulations!
Click below to read more about Professor Buckelew's book Discerning Buddhas, which explores themes of authority, agency and masculinity in Chan Buddhism.
Upcoming Events
Sep
30
2025
Fall 2025 Religious Studies Department Welcome Reception
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Off-Campus
Join us at the Yasotorn Thai Cuisine in Evanston to celebrate the start of the year and meet our new faculty and students!
Oct
3
2025
(NARW) North American Religions October Workshop
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Evanston
NARW is an interdisciplinary workshop for Chicago-area students and faculty working in and alongside the field of North American Religi...
Oct
7
2025
Color-blind Secularisms in Contemporary France and Québec
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Evanston
Guest Lecture with Prof. Jennifer Selby, Memorial University of Newfoundland Description: Drawing on thinking from Secular Sensibilitie...