CofC Department of Religious Studies

Take a break from final exams to support and learn from two of our own RELS graduating seniors as they defend their Bachelor Essays.
 
Kelsey, Sarah, and the RELS department would love for you to join us on 12/7/21 at 2:00 pm in Arnold Hall.

Take a break from final exams to support and learn from two of our own RELS graduating seniors as they defend their Bachelor Essays.
 
Kelsey, Sarah, and the RELS department would love for you to join us on 12/7/21 at 2:00 pm in Arnold Hall.

The next installment of RELS REELS will be on 11/11/21 at 6:00 pm in Jewish Studies 233 –– Dr. Bjerken will be on hand to view and discuss the movie “The Cup,” a film inspired by a true story about Buddhist monks and their obsession with World Cup Soccer.

The next installment of RELS REELS will be on 11/11/21 at 6:00 pm in Jewish Studies 233 –– Dr. Bjerken will be on hand to view and discuss the movie “The Cup,” a film inspired by a true story about Buddhist monks and their obsession with World Cup Soccer.

The next installment of RELS REELS will be on 11/11/21 at 6:00 pm in Jewish Studies 233 –– Dr. Bjerken will be on hand to view and discuss the movie “The Cup,” a film inspired by a true story about Buddhist monks and their obsession with World Cup Soccer.

The next installment of RELS REELS will be on 11/11/21 at 6:00 pm in Jewish Studies 233 –– Dr. Bjerken will be on hand to view and discuss the movie “The Cup,” a film inspired by a true story about Buddhist monks and their obsession with World Cup Soccer.

Come and join us right now in Wells Fargo Auditorium for a fascinating lecture and Q&A aboutvtge intersection of Contemporary Art and Faith.

Come and join us right now in Wells Fargo Auditorium for a fascinating lecture and Q&A aboutvtge intersection of Contemporary Art and Faith.

Dr. Keegan will lead an informal discussion group about planning and preparing to study RELS in graduate school. Meet her in the RELS Lounge at 3:15 pm on 10/28/21.

Dr. Keegan will lead an informal discussion group about planning and preparing to study RELS in graduate school. Meet her in the RELS Lounge at 3:15 pm on 10/28/21.

Join us for the first installment of RELS Reels as we watch Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow - s sensationalized horror film inspired by actual research on Haitian Vodou. A discussion of representations of Haitian religion to follow with Dr. Lowe. October, 27, 2021 at 6 pm in Jewish Studies 233. #relsreels #movie #cocf

Join us for the first installment of RELS Reels as we watch Wes Craven's The Serpent and the Rainbow - s sensationalized horror film inspired by actual research on Haitian Vodou. A discussion of representations of Haitian religion to follow with Dr. Lowe. October, 27, 2021 at 6 pm in Jewish Studies 233. #relsreels #movie #cocf

Religious Studies is so excited to have the Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts at the College to present a dynamic, interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Siegler is moderating the panel discussion. November 1, 2021 at 6 pm in Wells Fargo Auditorium.

Religious Studies is so excited to have the Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts at the College to present a dynamic, interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Siegler is moderating the panel discussion. November 1, 2021 at 6 pm in Wells Fargo Auditorium.

Meet the faculty. Meet current and prospective majors and minors. Preview the RELS courses for Spring 2022. All students are welcome. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. Tuesday, 10/5/19 at 3:30 pm in Alumni Hall.

Meet the faculty. Meet current and prospective majors and minors. Preview the RELS courses for Spring 2022. All students are welcome. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. Tuesday, 10/5/19 at 3:30 pm in Alumni Hall.

Our final graduate spotlight goes to Kayla Sitton. Kayla double majored in Religious Studies and International Studies. She studied abroad in Asia. Kayla is an HSS Scholar, RELS Departmental Honors, Student, and RELS Outstanding Student. Her Bachelor's Essay was on the intersection of Religion and Black Lives Matter movement. After graduation, she will take a gap, year, then pursue a PhD in Religious Studies.

All the best Kay!!!

Our final graduate spotlight goes to Kayla Sitton. Kayla double majored in Religious Studies and International Studies. She studied abroad in Asia. Kayla is an HSS Scholar, RELS Departmental Honors, Student, and RELS Outstanding Student. Her Bachelor's Essay was on the intersection of Religion and Black Lives Matter movement. After graduation, she will take a gap, year, then pursue a PhD in Religious Studies.

All the best Kay!!!

I have been an admin asst in higher ed for 20+ years. Commencement Day is my most favorite day on job. It's awesome to meet the families that have raised and supported such intelligent and wonderful humans. I love hearing my professors share their special student stories and give me a tiny glimpse into the special relationships they form their students. And I love to see the graduates full of pride and confidence over their accomplishments. Congratulations RELS Graduates of 2021. You made through Covid. You can conquer Anything!

Today RELS shines a light on graduating senior and HSS Scholar, Morgan Herr. Morgan double majored in Religious Studies and Anthropology and minored in Spanish. Morgan says she will go to graduate school to continue her studies. But right now, she is focused on enjoying this accomplishment, graduating from CofC.

Proud of you Morgan!!!

Today RELS shines a light on graduating senior and HSS Scholar, Morgan Herr. Morgan double majored in Religious Studies and Anthropology and minored in Spanish. Morgan says she will go to graduate school to continue her studies. But right now, she is focused on enjoying this accomplishment, graduating from CofC.

Proud of you Morgan!!!

Today RELS celebrates graduating senior, Bailey Huttig. Bailey double majored in Religious Studies and Psychology. Bailey was very involved with the RELS program, especially in restarting the Religious Studies Club. After graduation, she plans on obtaining her insurance license and working as an agent. She is considering at tenting graduate school at some point in the future.

Best of luck with all your plans Bailey!!!

Today RELS celebrates graduating senior, Bailey Huttig. Bailey double majored in Religious Studies and Psychology. Bailey was very involved with the RELS program, especially in restarting the Religious Studies Club. After graduation, she plans on obtaining her insurance license and working as an agent. She is considering at tenting graduate school at some point in the future.

Best of luck with all your plans Bailey!!!

We are spotlighting our RELS graduates this week leading up to commencement on May 7th. Our first senior is Jasmine Tindall.

Jasmine will graduate with a double major in Religious Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. The freedom to engage with multiple disciplinary approaches has provided her with an enriching experience that’s shaped her sense of social responsibility. She knows her background in both majors will enhance all potential work experiences which she plans to translate to life beyond college by finding employment in the areas of policy-making and lobbying on behalf of human rights, gender and sexual equity. After graduation, Jasmine hopes to gain networking opportunities with local NGOs who focus their missions around making a difference on issues related to pregnancy, childbirth and reproductive justice.

Congratulations Jasmine!!!

We are spotlighting our RELS graduates this week leading up to commencement on May 7th. Our first senior is Jasmine Tindall.

Jasmine will graduate with a double major in Religious Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. The freedom to engage with multiple disciplinary approaches has provided her with an enriching experience that’s shaped her sense of social responsibility. She knows her background in both majors will enhance all potential work experiences which she plans to translate to life beyond college by finding employment in the areas of policy-making and lobbying on behalf of human rights, gender and sexual equity. After graduation, Jasmine hopes to gain networking opportunities with local NGOs who focus their missions around making a difference on issues related to pregnancy, childbirth and reproductive justice.

Congratulations Jasmine!!!

Look who is featured this week by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the College of Charleston . It's our very own, newly tenured, Dr. Matthew Cressler!!! Congrats Dr. C!!!
🧑🏻‍🎓🧑🏻‍🎓🧑🏻‍🎓
This #hssfeaturefriday we profile amazing teacher-scholar Matthew Cressler! You may have heard about a recent research project he spearheaded, working with students Allen Duggar and A.J. Williamson, which revealed the influence of religion in the College’s history. “My hope was that it would awaken for students the inseparability of religion and race in the making of the College,” said Dr. Cressler in The College Today.

He came both to teaching and to Religious Studies. naturally. “My dad is a professor of electrical engineering and my mom is a Catholic spiritual director, so in some senses you could say I've managed to follow in both my parents' footsteps,” he says. What he loves most about his calling, however, is the opportunity to invite students to think more deeply about the things they take for granted. He challenges them to imagine diverse ways of understanding what it means to be human.

He also challenges people to think more deeply through his writings, including his book, Authentically Black and Truly Catholic: The Rise of Black Catholicism in the Great Migration (https://nyupress.org/9781479880966/) and a recent article, “Real, Good and Sincere Catholics”. As someone who teaches religion and race in the U.S., Dr. Cressler says he is always proud when former students reach out to share how classes have helped them understand ongoing struggles for racial justice.

A study-away course called "Interfaith Atlanta: Across the Color Line" created lasting memories. “We didn't just discuss the relationship between interfaith and racial justice activism,” he says, “We piled into a van and drove to Atlanta to learn firsthand. We stayed at Koinonia Farm, visited various religious communities, made pilgrimage to Martin Luther King's church, and bonded over inside jokes, great food, and good tunes on the road.”

As the father of three daughters, Dr. Cressler spends most of his spare time living that #girldad life. He’s a big fan of comic books and speculative fiction, and he’ll take soccer in any form he can get

Look who is featured this week by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the College of Charleston . It's our very own, newly tenured, Dr. Matthew Cressler!!! Congrats Dr. C!!!
🧑🏻‍🎓🧑🏻‍🎓🧑🏻‍🎓
This #hssfeaturefriday we profile amazing teacher-scholar Matthew Cressler! You may have heard about a recent research project he spearheaded, working with students Allen Duggar and A.J. Williamson, which revealed the influence of religion in the College’s history. “My hope was that it would awaken for students the inseparability of religion and race in the making of the College,” said Dr. Cressler in The College Today.

He came both to teaching and to Religious Studies. naturally. “My dad is a professor of electrical engineering and my mom is a Catholic spiritual director, so in some senses you could say I've managed to follow in both my parents' footsteps,” he says. What he loves most about his calling, however, is the opportunity to invite students to think more deeply about the things they take for granted. He challenges them to imagine diverse ways of understanding what it means to be human.

He also challenges people to think more deeply through his writings, including his book, Authentically Black and Truly Catholic: The Rise of Black Catholicism in the Great Migration (https://nyupress.org/9781479880966/) and a recent article, “Real, Good and Sincere Catholics”. As someone who teaches religion and race in the U.S., Dr. Cressler says he is always proud when former students reach out to share how classes have helped them understand ongoing struggles for racial justice.

A study-away course called "Interfaith Atlanta: Across the Color Line" created lasting memories. “We didn't just discuss the relationship between interfaith and racial justice activism,” he says, “We piled into a van and drove to Atlanta to learn firsthand. We stayed at Koinonia Farm, visited various religious communities, made pilgrimage to Martin Luther King's church, and bonded over inside jokes, great food, and good tunes on the road.”

As the father of three daughters, Dr. Cressler spends most of his spare time living that #girldad life. He’s a big fan of comic books and speculative fiction, and he’ll take soccer in any form he can get

We have a fantastic lineup of courses for the Fall 2021 semester. There are online and Express II options. All RELS courses satisfy the Humanities Gen Ed requirement. All RELS majors must meet their advisor before registering for classes. Please reach out to us with any questions. #studiesreligiously

Next Thursday, 3/25/21.

Join the Center for the Study of Slavery in Charleston on March 25 for “Untangling Campus Histories of Slavery,” the Inaugural Spring Scholarly Lecture. Dr. Hilary N. Green is an Associate Professor of History in the Department of Gender and Race Studies at the University of Alabama. Her research and teaching interests include the intersections of race, class, and gender in 19th century African American history, the American Civil War era, Reconstruction studies, Civil War memory, and the Black Atlantic. Green developed the “Hallowed Grounds Project,” which explores slavery, memory, and its legacy at the University of Alabama through an alternate campus tour, a Digital Humanities presence, and publications. Register here: https://cofc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsdOGqrDwoGtxE4cAe3F8s4hNBX0BYfK5L

There is something for everybody this summer in Religious Studies. Two offerings in Maymester, Summer I and Summer II. All online. No prerequisites needed. And all count as for Humanities Gen Ed credit.

Registration for Fall 2021 begins tomorrow, 3/23/21! RELS majors must meet with their advisors before they can enroll.

Registration for Fall 2021 begins tomorrow, 3/23/21! RELS majors must meet with their advisors before they can enroll.

Right now. Join us on Zoom for the amazing talk. Link in post.

I think we all could use some sincerity, human flourishing and the good life right about now. Dr. Puett's talk is open to the public on 3/18/2021 at 5 pm on Zoom. The link to join is https://cofc.zoom.us/j/92217937196.

I think we all could use some sincerity, human flourishing and the good life right about now. Dr. Puett's talk is open to the public on 3/18/2021 at 5 pm on Zoom. The link to join is https://cofc.zoom.us/j/92217937196.

I think we all could use some sincerity, human flourishing and the good life right about now. Dr. Puett's talk is open to the public on 3/18/2021 at 5 pm on Zoom. The link to join is https://cofc.zoom.us/j/92217937196.

Applications are due March 15th!

HSS LEAP is accepting applications for 2021-2022! Learn more and apply at go.cofc.edu/hss-leap

Awesome chance to meet more people and do more on campus.

Can’t wait to “see” you there!

African American Millennials and Faith
Tuesday, February 16 at 7pm via Zoom
Click to Register: https://www.cicouncil.org/events/2021/2/16/african-american-millennials-and-faith

D. Danyelle Thomas will provide an overview of the current state of Black Millennials & Religious institutions, the cause of the rising unchurched population, and how Unfit Christian, a digital platform for progressive faith, bridges the gap between faith, justice, and identity.

African American Millennials and Faith
Tuesday, February 16 at 7pm via Zoom
Click to Register: https://www.cicouncil.org/events/2021/2/16/african-american-millennials-and-faith

D. Danyelle Thomas will provide an overview of the current state of Black Millennials & Religious institutions, the cause of the rising unchurched population, and how Unfit Christian, a digital platform for progressive faith, bridges the gap between faith, justice, and identity.

Dispatches From the Rhodian Shore: A (Tough) Love Letter to Religious Studies

Great article from one of our affiliate professors, Dr. LaVasseur.

Dispatches From the Rhodian Shore: A (Tough) Love Letter to Religious Studies When writing as critical scholars of religion about the impacts and role of religion in society we need to broaden our remit, and must do so quickly. Let me explain why. It’s probably best to start with environmental history, thus the name for this dispatch. It’s a riff on the geographer Clarenc...