The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Texas is an interdisciplinary program dedicated to the exploration of the historical, intellectual, social, and cultural aspects of religion. The academic discipline of Religious Studies seeks neither to make students religious nor to discourage religious beliefs and practice; rather, Religious Studies encourages the analysis of the ways religion functions within human society. By focusing on religion as a dimension of human identity and culture, Religious Studies encourages the study of the continuities and changes within religious traditions, the operation of religions in particular social contexts, and the influence of religious ideas on human behavior and creativity.
As the events of recent years have forcefully shown, we cannot comprehend either the diversity of American society or the complexity of our international relations without considering the influence of religion. At a time when many of the world's conflicts and the hopes for their resolutions have strong religious components, our academic program fosters a greater knowledge of the crucial role of religion in our world. The Department of Religious Studies offers an undergraduate major leading to a B.A. degree. It also offers Master's and Doctoral Portfolio Programs in the Study of Religion that enhance graduate degree programs in other departments and schools.
Current News
Education Notes: Islamic History and Culture Experts
Experts are available to discuss the Islamic faith from a variety of perspectives
Conference to explore sexuality in South Asia
The conference "New Research on Sexuality in South Asia", to be held May 2-3 at UT-Austin, is co-sponsored by the South Asia Institute, Deparmtent of Asian Studies, Department of English, Department of Religious Studies, the Center for Women's and Gender Studies' LGBTQ/Sexualities Research Cluster, and the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice.
Friar Society Selects Religious Studies Professor for Teaching Excellence Award
Professor Howard Miller is known for his popular religious studies courses, including "Religion in U.S. Popular Culture" and "Jesus in American Culture." He teaches in the Religious Studies and History departments. The $15,000 award is the university's largest for undergraduate teaching excellence.
2008-2009 Hilgers Endowed Scholarship in Religious Studies
The Department of Religious Studies is pleased to announce the 2008-2009 William B. and Sara G. Hilgers Endowed Scholarship in Religious Studies. One award in the amount of $1,000 will be given to a deserving undergraduate student in our department at the beginning of the Fall 2008 semester. We are currently accepting applications.
Historian and anthropologist discusses ritual in China
The Department of Religious Studies and the Center for East Asian Studies present the lecture “Contesting Sacred Space: Rituals of Tibetans, Han Chinese and Tourists at a Pilgrimage/World Heritage Site” by Donald Sutton, Professor of History and Anthropology at Carnegie Mellon University. This lecture will take place on April 17.
Female Stigmatics in Late Medieval and Renaissance Italy
On Thursday, March 27, the Department of Religious Studies presents the lecture "Performing Stigamata: Women Stigmatics in Italy 1300-1600" by art historian Cordelia Warr from the University of Manchester (UK). This lecture is co-sponsored by the Departments of History, Art and Art History, and French and Italian.
Education Notes: Religion and Culture Experts
Christianity scholars offer range of perspectives, from Jesus in popular culture to the origins of the Bible.
Lecture on faith and politics in the US
On March 3, 2008, Religious Studies will present the talk "The God Strategy: Faith as a Political Weapon" by David Domke, professor of communication at the University of Washington. Prof. Domke will discuss why political debate today is often dominated by faith-based perspectives and what it means for democracy. This event is co-sponsored with The Senior Fellows Honors Program of the College of Communication and the Department of Government.
Medieval Bibles: Studies in Word and Image Symposium
On Tuesday evening, 4 March 2008, you're invited to take a break from Texas politics and join three first-class scholars as they explore an earlier but no less polemically-charged world. The symposium "Medieval Bibles: Studies in Word and Image" will be held from 4-7 p.m. at the Prothro Theater in the Harry Ransom Center.
The Religious Studies Department Has Moved
Our main office is now in Burdine Hall, Room 406.