University of Minnesota
Religious Studies
rels@umn.edu
612-624-5233


Religious Studies

Welcome to Religious Studies!

Religion is a fundamental part of human experience and meaning. It informs all aspects of human society, from individual and collective identity to personal relationships to political sympathies to scientific investigation to artistic creativity. The study of religion, as a result, ranges widely across human experience and the various academic disciplines.

The religious studies major brings together perspectives, approaches, questions, and expertise from many disciplines. It provides you with a range of analytical tools as well as in-depth knowledge of particular traditions and time periods.

You'll study the range of religious phenomena by

  • interpreting religious texts
  • tracing the development of institutions and practices
  • examining the experiences and histories of specific communities
  • exploring the intersections between religious belief and practice and their social and cultural contexts

Bridging Cultures: Islam and the West

Bridging Cultures: Islam and the West, a 30-minute television program associated with the Shared Cultural Spaces conference held at the University of Minnesota in 2011, is now available for viewing on the Shared Cultural Spaces Website.

The cultural and scientific exchanges that have occurred over the centuries between Western and Islamic nations have led to countless advances in literature, philosophy, architecture, mathematics, physics and the visual arts. Those exchanges are discussed by scholars gathered from around the world in Bridging Cultures: Islam and the West.

Program in Religious Studies Faculty Lecture featuring Iraj Bashiri

The Program in Religious Studies presented the first annual Faculty Lecture in spring 2012. New this spring, the lecture brings our community of interdepartmental faculty and students together to discuss our faculty's current research. Please enjoy Professor Iraj Bashiri's lecture on Mahdism in Iranian Religio-Political Life:

Madhism in Iranian Religio-Political Life

Bridging Cultures: Islam and the West

The Program in Religious Studies worked closely with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) to produce a 30-minute television program associated with the Shared Cultural Spaces conference held at the University of Minnesota in 2011. Bridging Cultures: Islam and the West will air on local TPT stations this spring:

Sunday, April 8, 2012 at 6:30 PM
Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 12:30 AM
Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 6:30 AM
Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 12:30 PM

 For information on upcoming broadcasts and quick access to viewing online, visit http://www.tpt.org/?a=programs#21526. Please email rels@umn.edu to request a free copy of the program.

Islam Conference Vidoes

Videos of each session of the conference on Shared Cultural Spaces: Islam and the West in the Arts and Sciences, are now available. See the Shared Cultural Spaces website at https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/sharedspaces/

Events

There are no events currently scheduled.

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Accolades

View Past Accolades