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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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
Jun
5
2025
Religious Studies End-Of-Year Celebration
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Evanston
Religious Studies End-Of-Year Celebration, details tbd
Jun
6
2025
KFBSLS Year 5, Lecture 8: Nataly Shahaf, “Ghost Photography: Scie...
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Online
The practice of ghost photography emerged in early 20th-century China at the intersection of growing spiritualist movements and anti-su...
Jun
6
2025
(NARW) North American Religions June 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...