Religious Studies

The Religious Studies Program of the Department of World Languages and Cultures is pleased to announce the annual call for faculty and graduate student research awards. The competition supports activities that enhance research productivity connected to the study of religion, broadly defined.

Awards range from $500-$3,000, and can be used toward applicable costs. To be eligible, the activities must be completed by August 14, 2020.

Reimbursable expenses include laboratory, archival, or fieldwork fees, student assistantships, book purchases, airfare, ground transportation and parking, meals (per diem or receipts), and lodging. Normally, conference travel or course buy-outs will not be funded.

Proposals will be considered once a year. The deadline for this cycle will be January 6, 2020. Awardees will be notified within three weeks of the proposal deadline.

Please submit the following materials by e-mail to john.wynne@utah.edu by 5:00 pm on the application due date:

1. A 2-page proposal (including references, where applicable) that describes the project and how the award will support the individual’s research profile
2. Proposed budget
3. Current CV

Please direct any questions to John Wynne at john.wynne@utah.edu.  

The Jewish Studies Initiative at the University of Utah, currently a curricular stream within the Religious Studies program, allows students to explore the multiple facets of Jewish tradition, history, and ritual, from ancient times to the present day. Course offerings may focus on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Talmud, or other canonical sources; the Holocaust and anti-Semitism; ethnic and cultural diversity within the Jewish Diaspora; Zionism and the state of Israel; secular Jewish literatures; Jews in the Islamic world; and Judeo-Christian dialogue. Jewish Studies course offerings at the University of Utah emphasize exploring "Jewish identity," in a comparative mode, to investigate all kinds of assumptions about other ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos, as well as religions, such as Islam and Mormonism. Since traditional Jewish sources have much to say about encountering the "other," the study of Jewishness, as we see it, should function as a catalyst for powerful, transformative cross-cultural dialogues where we can meet each other and break down biases, stereotypes, and misconceptions.

Courses

The Religious Studies program at the University of Utah, in conjunction with the Classics Section of the Department of Languages, offers a two-year sequence in the Coptic language. During the first year, students not only learn the grammar and syntax of Sahidic Coptic, but also read selections from Coptic Christian text (primarily from the New Testament and the Nag Hammadi library). The second year is devoted to intensive reading of Coptic texts, including some of the works of Shenouda, Abbot of the White Monastery and prolific author of original (i. e., non-translated) Coptic works. At the end of this sequence, the student is well equipped to read and understand any Coptic text independent of the classroom.

Although this two-year sequence focuses on the language of Egypt in the Christian era, students also learn much about the history of Egypt—its language, religion, and culture—as well as about early Christianity and Gnosticism, a theology that pervades the Nag Hammadi library.

The development of a curriculum in Coptic studies at the University of Utah was initiated many years ago thanks to the generosity of the Atiya family and their commitment to Middle East studies at the UU. The UU is now one of the rare American universities offering course in Coptic. Students who are interested in studying Coptic should contact the undergraduate director in the department of Languages and Literature.

Resources

• Claremont Graduate University/Coptic Studies Council
• Minor in Coptic Studies at the American University in Cairo

MARRIOTT LIBRARY MIDDLE EAST COLLECTION

History of the Atiya family at the University of Utah

• Middle East Center
• Marriott Library

The Religious Studies program offers Western Christianity as an area of emphasis for students who wish to explore and compare the traditions of Catholicism, Anglicanism and mainline Protestantism.  Courses in Western Christianity analyze the history as well as the theology operative within these traditions in order to better understand the scriptural, ritual, ethical, philosophical, and doctrinal commitments of Western Christians, as well as the praxis at the heart of these contemporary communities within particular cultural settings. 

In addition to examining these traditions themselves, from biblical times to the present, students will have opportunities to study Western Christian interreligious dialogue with other religions (e.g. the fruitful collaboration with Jews since the time of the Second Vatican Council).

In conjunction with Middle East studies, the Religious studies program at the UU encourages interested students to build a focused curriculum in Islamic studies. This emphasis does not yet grant an actual degree, but it allows students to organize their coursework around a specific tradition and an area of research; such a focus proves very helpful for graduate school applications. Along with classes on Islam, the Middle East, and the broader Muslim world, students can enhance their profile in taking Arabic. A wide variety of courses are offered on campus in history, political science, anthropology, cultural studies, etc. An emphasis in Islamic studies can valuably be paired with an emphasis in Jewish studies. The Religious studies program is exploring the possibility of adding in the future a minor in Islamic studies.

Examples of Classes Following Under Islamic Studies

For existing models of Islamic studies minor or major, see:

• Swarthmore College
• Vanderbilt University
• University of Washington

With its two new programs in Religious studies and Peace and Conflict studies, the UU seems to be in an excellent position to explore the intersection between Religion and Conflict. Students at the UU who are interested in this topic are encouraged to build a curriculum, either through Religious studies or Peace and Conflict studies (Minor or Major), focusing on related themes. Such an expertise represents an ideal complement for students in International studies or Political Science for instance.

In response to 9/11, the relationship between religion, conflict, and violence has been at the heart of many publications among journalists, scholars of religions, and politicians. At the same time, a growing number of studies have researched the role of religion in peacebuilding initiatives. In this context, a solid training in both Religious studies and Peace and Conflict studies uniquely equipped students for an international political and/or military career. Senior U.S. officials have identified the need for future policy makers, religious leaders, and operational personnel to be able to exercise P&C skill sets (conflict resolution, conflict management, peacemaking, and peacebuilding skills) with a greater sensibility to religious topics.

UU students interested in designing such a curriculum for themselves should contact the director of either Peace and Conflict studies or Religious studies to discuss available options. Both programs are exploring the possibility to formalize this area of study by creating in the near future a track or concentration in Religion and Conflict.

Examples of Classes Following Under Religion and Conflict

Useful Resources:

• Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Utah
• Tanenbaum Institute in New York City
• Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University