CofC Department of Religious Studies

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...

New Course for Spring 2021!!! Dr. Bjerken is offering RELS 120: Religion, Art and Culture in the EXPRESS II TERM!!! This class is on Tuesday and Thursday from 530-830 pm starting March 8th.

New Course for Spring 2021!!! Dr. Bjerken is offering RELS 120: Religion, Art and Culture in the EXPRESS II TERM!!! This class is on Tuesday and Thursday from 530-830 pm starting March 8th.

Religious Studies Students Uncover CofC's Complex Religious History

RELS is excited to share The College Today article (that dropped last Thursday), featuring our stellar students AJ Williamson and Allen Duggar, who have been researching, writing, and constructing a religious history of the College for the past 8 months now. Their digital exhibit went live on Friday! The link for it is in the comments.

https://today.cofc.edu/2020/12/08/religious-studies-students-uncover-cofcs-complex-religious-history/

today.cofc.edu As a university in a town referred to as the Holy City, it’s not surprising that six of the first seven presidents of the College of Charleston were ordained clergy. Although the College claimed to be a secular institution from the time of the second charter in 1791, giving the impression that rel...

This spring, Dr. Cressler is offering his very popular version of RELS 115: Religion and Society - Black Religion and Black Nationalism; From Slave Rebellions to Black Lives Matter on Tuesdays/Thursdays 1215-130 pm. Seats are available.

Tonight! 11/12/2020! Two great virtual lectures.

The author of "Queering Black Atlantic Religious", Roberto Strongman, Associate Professor of Comparative Caribbean Cultural Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will talk about his book. After the talk our own Dr. Lowe will moderate a discussion.

The Charleston Interreligious Council will kick of their 4th annual James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series. The keynote speaker is Dr. Anthony Pinn, Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University. Dr. Pinn will offer a lecture, followed by a engaging discussion about African American Religious Life.

Awesome lecture sponsored by the Department of African-American Studies tonight, Nov. 10th at 6 pm.

Charleston faith group to focus on African American religious diversity in speaker series

Article in the P&C about this the lecture series starting this week about African American religious diversity.

postandcourier.com The Charleston Interreligious Council will discuss that variety of Black spiritual expressions in its upcoming speaker series. The topic for the 4th annual James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series is

Religion interscets with politics, race and culture all over the world. But it can be argued that they don't intersect more any place else than the USA. Join Dr. Siegler this spring for RELS 250: Religion in America learn more.

One course. Four sections. Two learning styles. Two awesome professors. Dr. Lowe is teaching two face-to-face sections and Dr. Fisher is teaching two online sections of RELS 105: Intro to World Religions for Spring 2021.

Happy Election Day!!!

Fancinating series sponsored by the Charleston Interreligious Council on the topic of African-American Religious Diversity. Series begins Nov. 12, 2020.

Announcing the 4th Annual James Sawers Jr. Interfaith Speaker Series ~ AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY AND DIALOGUE ~ Join us for a series of live virtual discussions starting with our keynote address on November 12 at 7pm. REGISTER TODAY!
https://www.cicouncil.org/events