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
Religious Studies Major Stella Zhu's Study Abroad in Vienna!
We're excited to share the reflections and photos from Religious Studies Major Stella's Zhu Fall quarter abroad in Vienna, Austria!
"I studied abroad in Vienna in Fall 2025 and took five courses. Two courses that stood out most to me were “Jewish Life in Vienna: Past and Present” and “Religion and Multiculturalism.” Both were far more transformative and immersive than I initially expected.
I visited synagogues in Hungary and Slovenia, as well as Jewish museums, concentration camps, and former ghettos across Germany, Austria, Poland, and beyond."
Click the link below to read more of her story!
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
Apr
21
2026
Religious Studies Grad-Faculty Reading Group Series
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Evanston
The series brings together faculty and graduate students to read and explore a work of theory together in relation to religious studies...
Apr
28
2026
Graduate Colloquium with Somtsobum
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Evanston
Graduate Colloquium with Somtsobum, Ph.D. Candidate in Religious Studies.
Apr
30
2026
KFBSLS at Northwestern's Third Annual In-Person Workshop
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Evanston
This is the third in a series of In-Person Workshops hosted by the Khyentse Foundation Buddhist Studies Lecture Series at Northwestern ...