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:

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Windows on Iran Iranian-American scholar posts daily updates on election-related turmoil in Iran June 22, 2009 -- Windows on Iran An Iranian-American scholar at Washington University in St. Louis has been posting daily updates on election-related turmoil in Iran as part of her long-running electronic newsletter on cultural, political and social issues in Iran. Fatemeh Keshavarz, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures in Arts & Sciences, posts news, filled with cell phone videos and firsthand anecdotes from friends and academic contacts within Iran, at Windows on Iran Web site. She is available for media interviews on the day-to-day news reports she's receiving from contacts within Iran and for broader discussions of the cultural context of these events, including the role of women and the unique ways that this protest is being shaped by the use of cell phones, instant messaging and other online social media.

It's OK, Notre Dame Catholic leadership divided over Obama's Notre Dame speech, expert suggests May 16, 2009 -- Frank Flinn Notre Dame University's decision to invite President Obama to deliver the university's commencement address on Sunday has sparked strong protests from groups who disagree with Obama's stand on abortion and stem cell research. Despite condemnation of Obama's speech by a number of prominent American bishops, the Vatican may be more interested in moderation and conciliation in its dealings with Obama, suggests Frank K. Flinn, a close observer of religious politics and author of the Encyclopedia of Catholicism (2007).

The birth of Christianity Schäfer to give annual Cherrick Lecture in Jewish Studies Feb. 24, 2009 -- Peter Schäfer, Ph.D., the Ronald O. Perelman Professor of Jewish Studies and director of the Program in Judaic Studies at Princeton University, will present the 2009 Adam Cherrick Lecture in Jewish Studies, "Why Did Baby Messiah Disappear? The Birth of Christianity From the Spirit of Judaism," at 7 p.m. March 19 in Wilson Hall, room 214.

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Faculty Experts:

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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

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Related News Clips:

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(Un)wired For God Newsweek Aug. 13, 2009 -- Sharon Begley reports on new data in the debate on neurobiology and whether we are wired to believe in God. In a paper last month in the online journal Evolutionary Psychology, Gregory Paul posits that, rather than being wired into the brain, religion is a way to cope with stress in a dysfunctional society -- the opium-of-the-people argument. She mentions research by WUSTL anthropology professor Pascal Boyer.

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.