Religious Studies

Director: Beata Grant Administrative Assistant: Sarah Massey

Home Page: http://artsci.wustl.edu/~relst/ Email: relst@artsci.wustl.edu Telephone: (314) 935-7752

Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary program that brings together courses from various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to study the major religious traditions of the world.

The program is particularly strong in its coverage of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and the religious traditions of East and South Asia. Faculty experts can discuss current events, issues and the history of each of these religions.

News Stories & Tip Sheets:

Showing Stories 1 through 3 of 20.  - Show More

Civil rights & science at Assembly Series Programs to feature Charles Ogletree and Philip Clayton Feb. 22, 2008 -- The Assembly Series hosts two speakers back to back: Legendary civil rights pioneer Charles Ogletree will present his views on the Roberts court at noon on Tuesday, March 4, in the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom, Anheuser-Busch Hall. Philip Clayton will give a talk on bridging the gap between science and religion at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 in Whitaker Hall Auditorium.

"Celebrating Our Books, Recognizing Our Authors" Famed novelist Joyce Carol Oates to present keynote address Dec. 3 Nov. 20, 2007 -- Courtesy photo Joyce Carol Oates Download Joyce Carol Oates, one of America's most important and distinguished authors, three times nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature, will deliver the keynote address, titled "The Writer's (Secret) Life: Woundedness, Rejection, and Inspiration," for "Celebrating Our Books, Recognizing Our Authors," Washington University's sixth annual faculty book colloquium.

$660 million goes to church abuse victims The settlement is a last ditch concession, says expert July 16, 2007 -- A judge on July 16 approved a $660 million settlement between the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and more than 500 alleged victims Frank K. Flinn Download of clergy abuse, the largest payout yet in a nationwide sex abuse scandal. Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of religious studies in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and author of the recently published "Encyclopedia of Catholicism," comments.

Showing Stories 1 through 3 of 20.  - Show More

Faculty Experts:

Showing Experts 1 through 5 of 6.  - Show More

Hillel J. Kieval Chair of history and the Gloria M. Goldstein Professor of Jewish History and Thought in Arts & Sciences Professor Kieval's work focuses on transformations in Jewish culture and society in East Central Europe (Austria-Hungary, Germany and Poland) from the Enlightenment to the Second World War; more specifically, on the effects of modernization projects, ethnic and national struggles, social conflict, ... Expertise: Jewish culture in East Central Europe, antisemitism on Jewish life, Jewish-Gentile relations, linguistic, cultural and communal affiliations among Jews, Jewish society in Bohemia, Jewish experience in Czech lands, … Direct contact: 314-935-5426 / hkieval@wustl.edu

David A. Lawton Professor and Chair of English in Arts & Sciences David Lawton Download David Lawton has published five books and many articles in English literary and cultural studies and in medieval studies. He is currently preparing editions of Chaucer's poetry and prose, and completing a book on voice and space in medieval literature. He is founding co-editor of a major journal, ... Expertise: Medieval literatures, Medieval culture, Chaucer, literary history, literary theory, poetics, The Bible, … Direct contact: (314) 935-5114 / dalawton@wustl.edu

Beata Grant Professor of Chinese and Religious Studies Beata Grant Download Grant teaches a broad range of courses in literature and religious studies, including Introduction to Buddhism and Introduction to Asian Religions. Her writings include a long study of the Woman Huang story-cycle, Mount Lu Revisited: Buddhism in the Life and Writings of Su Shih, and several articles ... Expertise: Chinese religion and literature, Pre-modern Chinese women's literature and culture, Buddhism Direct contact: (314) 935-5156 / bgrant@wustl.edu

Frank Flinn Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies Flinn Download Flinn, a consultant in forensic theology, is an expert on religion and the law, including issues related to the separation of church and state, government funding of faith-based social program and the display of religious symbols in schools, courtrooms and other public places. He also is an expert ... Expertise: separation of church and state, legal rights of religious groups, public display of religious symbols, federal funding of faith-based organizations, religious splinter groups, cults, paramilitary organizations, … Direct contact: (314) 935-8677 / fkflinn@wustl.edu

Ahmet Karamustafa Associate Professor of Religious Studies Program Ahmet Karamustafa Download Karamustafa is a medievalist/premodernist and works on the intellectual and social history of Islamic societies from the 13th to the 16th centuries. He is an expert on Islam and the theory and methods of all religions. Karamustafa specializes in premodern Islamic thought. His most recent book, God's ... Expertise: Understanding Islam, premodern Islamic thought, world religions, religious studies Direct contact: (314) 935-4446 / akaramus@artsci.wustl.edu

Showing Experts 1 through 5 of 6.  - Show More

Related News Clips:

Showing 3 Clips.

The Vatican on Muslims and Jews U.S. News & World Report online April 30, 2008 -- Article looks at how Pope Benedict XVI is trying to mend fences within the church, with other churches, and with Muslims and Jews. WUSTL religious studies professor Frank Flinn comments.

"The Secret" Draws on Long Tradition Associated Press Online and 57 others June 25, 2007 -- Writer looks at the popularity of the best seller "The Secret" and the history of the New Thought movement. WUSTL religious studies professor Frank Flinn comments.

Commentary on the Papal Election CNN - Lou Dobbs Tonight April 20, 2005 -- Frank Flinn, professor of religious studies at WUSTL, offers commentary and analysis of the election of Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pope Benedict XVI.

More News:

9/11 memory and love
Sept. 2002 - Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis and a noted authority on religious thought and expression, comments on his experience of 9/11 and his hope that love will flourish in wake of terror and destruction.

Severe priest shortage cause of 'sweeping wrongdoing under the rectory rug'
April 2002 - The ongoing crisis in the Roman Catholic Church involving alleged and substantiated cases of sexual abuse and pedophilia by priests is creating a feeling of unease among parishioners. New cases from throughout the country and abroad are coming to light on nearly a daily basis. An expert on Christianity in the modern world says that the real cause of the problem, and one that has been somewhat overlooked in the popular press, is the severe shortage of priests throughout the world. "There are not enough young men entering the priesthood," says Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D., adjunct professor of religious studies in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. "So when a priest commits one of these terrible acts, the church feels it must keep him employed, and thus moves him to another parish, effectively sweeping his wrongdoing under the rectory rug.