phd in history of religion

History & Ecumenics PhD Program

The History and Ecumenics Department features world-class scholars who specialize in the historical development and contemporary trajectories of Christianity, often in the context of other religious traditions.

The faculty’s expertise reaches across time and around the world. The graduates of our PhD program have gone on to be professors and administrators in major research universities and in theological institutions, as well as significant leaders in church and society beyond.

PhD Course of Study

The History and Ecumenics Department features five tracks for doctoral study. Prospective students should identify one in which their doctoral work will be centered, though the faculty also encourage and support work that develops across and in collaboration between tracks.

Early Christianity and Its World

Beginning as a sectarian movement within Palestinian Judaism, Christianity emerged through a process of religious, social and cultural encounter both within the Roman Empire and beyond its borders to the east. Within a few centuries Christian communities had developed in Europe, Africa and Asia, and their members had produced a broad array of literature (theological, exegetical, historical, hagiographic and liturgical) in a plethora of languages (Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, Greek, Latin and Syriac). They also created a rich trove of material culture from jewelry to liturgical implements to massive structures for community worship. Study of this period of Christian history rests on a foundation of linguistic, cultural and religious knowledge about the ancient world, and it embraces the theological, exegetical, liturgical and archeological study of Christian communities from the New Testament period through the rise of Islam. Our program offers many points of entry into this complex field of study.

Medieval Christianity and Its World

By “medieval” Christian history we mean an entire millennium, from 500 to 1500. In this era, the history of theology (and philosophy) is inseparable from the institutional history of Christianity, its worship and art, especially in the encounter with Islam. Although the idea of “middle” ages stems from Western Europe (in the middle between antiquity and the Renaissance) we here include the Eastern Orthodox churches not only in Byzantium and Russia but also in Asia, North Africa, and Ethiopia.

Reformation and Its World

The major religious changes of the Reformation were one of the most significant factors in the early modern era (1450-1650), and they were not confined to western Europe, or to theology or church structures alone. The Reformation and Its World covers church, social and theological history, Christian life, worship, and mission in a global frame. Titles of courses and doctoral seminars indicate some of the wide-ranging themes addressed and specific topics treated in depth in this area of specialization, as well as how this era forms an integral part of the wider history of Christianity in the world.

Religion in the Americas

The religion in the Americas track brings into focus the interconnectedness of religious worlds across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Coursework will introduce students to historical, anthropological, sociological, and other theoretical methods and approaches to the study of religion in the Americas. In their own research students can focus on a variety of topics, including the relationship of religion to politics, economics, culture, migration, identity, urbanization, and other deep structures shaping everyday life in the Americas. This track trains students to think not only across space and region but also across time from the 15th century to the present. In addition, the track challenges students to think about the connections between past and present, including how deep histories of coloniality, race, interculturality, and more relate to pressing social ethical questions for today.

World Christianity and the History of Religions

This track dedicates itself to fostering an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of Christianity and the history of Christianity as a pluricultural, global phenomenon. Though primarily focused on Christianity’s burgeoning presence in the global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific), the contemporary worldwide diffusion of global South Christianity in its various diasporas also falls within the program’s purview. Given that the world’s religions condition the dominant context out of which Christianity emerges in the global South, the faculty responsible for the track consider a grounding in the History of Religions to be indispensable for a proper understanding of World Christianity in its diverse global contexts. While nurturing a broad perspective on Christianity’s variegated, cross- cultural and transnational, diasporic manifestations, the track also endeavors to provide a space in the doctoral curriculum of the Seminary for the study and practice of Intercultural Theologies, using as its primary resources a wide range of theologies that find expression in the global South. The track thus hopes to enhance the ecumenical interrelations of the global Christian communion, including its interactions with believers from other faith communities. As a whole, the track provides a rigorous scholarly foundation for a multifaceted study of World Christianity’s many worlds.

Residence Requirements

All tracks in the History & Ecumenics doctoral program require that a student successfully complete a minimum of eight doctoral seminars. The purpose of coursework is to develop expertise, hone research skills, and to prepare for comprehensive exams. Ordinarily, these eight courses will include:

A departmental seminar or individual tutorial on methodology.
One seminar chosen from doctoral offerings at Princeton University.

Additional course requirements vary by track, as follows:

Early Christianity and its World

one seminar in early Christianity
one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: medieval Christianity, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Medieval Christianity and its World

one seminar in medieval Christianity
one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: early Christianity, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Reformation and its World

one seminar in Reformation
one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: early Christianity, medieval Christianity, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity
one seminar on North American religious history
one seminar on Latin American religions
one seminar on World Christianity
one seminar on early Christianity, medieval Christianity, or the Reformation
one seminar on the history of religions
one seminar on intercultural theologies
one seminar on early Christianity, medieval Christianity, the Reformation, or Religion in the Americas

Students will choose their courses in consultation with their advisers in order to ensure a coherent and maximally useful course of study. PhD students are free to audit other courses in the Seminary catalogue, such as those offered in the Master’s program. If such courses are taken for PhD credit, additional work will usually be required.

In addition to their coursework, students in residence are required to attend the departmental colloquium.

Language requirements vary by track, as follows:

Early Christian Studies

Students must demonstrate proficiency in four languages–two ancient and two modern–by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least two of these languages prior to matriculation. Ancient languages: Greek and one of the following: Latin, Coptic, or Arabic Modern languages: French and German

Medieval Christianity

Students must demonstrate proficiency in Latin, French, and German by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program (when appropriate, an alternative modern language, e.g. Spanish, may be approved). Students must demonstrate proficiency in two of the languages (including Latin and either French, German, or an alternative modern research language) prior to matriculation.

Reformation and the World

Students must demonstrate proficiency in Latin, French, and German by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in two of these three languages prior to matriculation.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in one modern research language by the end of their 2nd year in the program. Ordinarily this language will be Spanish or Portuguese, though, when there is a clear and compelling rationale, students may petition their residency committee to count a different language toward this requirement. This petition must be approved by the end of the 1st year.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in one modern research language by the end of their 2nd year in the program. This language, which will ordinarily be relevant to the dissertation, will be determined in consultation with the residence committee.

PhD students are also encouraged to develop further language skills through auditing Seminary courses or enrolling in appropriate University courses. These opportunities, however, do not count toward the eight seminars.

Comprehensive Examinations

Across tracks, doctoral students in History & Ecumenics will take four comprehensive exams. The format and content of three of the exams may vary and will be determined in consultation between the student and their residency committee. Possible formats include:

a course research and design proposal
a 36-hour, open book/notes, take-home exam, with questions on topics, figures, and texts agreed upon in advance. This exam will give the student a chance to exhibit control and clear understanding of a field of knowledge—its key texts, figures, controversies, and problematics. Such an exam will typically be 15-25 double-spaced pages.
a 6-hour (8 total, with a 2-hour break), seated, closed book/closed notes examination. Such an exam will typically be 10-15 double-spaced pages, though sometimes longer.
a 2 or 3 question exam completed over 5 weeks. The start date will be agreed upon by the student and their examiners. Books and notes allowed. Each question will require roughly 10-15 pages (double-spaced) of text.

In every case, the fourth will be a dissertation-related paper of 20-25 pages, which should, whenever possible, represent a significant step toward the crafting of a dissertation proposal. Finally, note that at least three different formats must be used across the four exams. Only one exam may be a course research and design proposal.

All examiners are selected through consultation between the student and their residency committee. A first and second reader will be assigned to each examination. Bibliographies for the examinations are compiled by the student in consultation with the first reader. Each of the four bibliographies will include between 40 and 100 sources/books/articles. After the written exams are completed, there will be a comprehensive oral examination based on all four of them. Students will receive feedback on the written examinations at least three days prior to the oral examination. At the conclusion of a successful oral defense the student will work with their residence committee chair to select a dissertation committee, which will be approved by the department and will help to guide them through the rest of the program.

Track-specific requirements regarding the content of examinations are as follows:

one exam on early Christianity
two exams focused on two of the other four tracks: medieval, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity
one exam on medieval Christianity
two additional exams, each focused on one of the other four tracks: early, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity
one exam on Reformation
two additional exams, each focused on one of the other four tracks: early medieval, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity
one exam on North American religious history
one exam on Latin American religions
one exam developed in accordance with the students’ research interest (options include but are not limited to: theories of religion, a religion other than Christianity, world Christianity methodologies, early Christianity, medieval Christianity, the Reformation)
one exam on the historiography of World Christianity (in relation to one or more of the global South areas covered by the faculty)
one exam on theory and methodology for the History of Religions; and social science theory and methodology for the study of World Christianity (in relation to one or more religious traditions found within the global South or diaspora areas covered by the faculty)
one exam on intercultural theory, methodology, and theology applied to the study of World Christianity (in relation to one or more of the global South areas covered by the faculty)

Dissertation Proposal

Following successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a PhD candidate is expected to submit a dissertation proposal for approval, first by the newly-constituted dissertation committee, which will guide the process, and then by the department. The proposal will typically be 20-25 pages and will include an overview of the research question and approach; an overview of the existing literature; and an initial attempt to describe the way that the argument will develop and the chapters will unfold. The proposal must be approved by the department prior to the end of the student’s 3rd year.

Harvard University
Provost's Office
Vice Provost for International Affairs
One Harvard, One World
Worldwide Week at Harvard
Administrative Support
The World at Harvard
Harvard in the World
Join Us at Harvard

Harvard Worldwide

Ph.d. in the study of religion.

The doctor of philosophy (PhD) program in religion at Harvard dates from 1934, when the Faculty of Arts and Sciences established a degree of PhD in "The History and Philosophy of Religion." Its purpose, as stated by the Faculty, was "to make possible a course of studies which shall enable the candidate both to lay a broad and sufficient foundation for teaching and study within the field of religion, and to do individual research at some point in that field." In accordance with that expressed intention, the Faculty voted in 1963 to name the program the Study of Religion.

Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs

Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts 01238 USA

Accessibility

Secondary Menu

Ph.D. Program in Religion

For students seeking their Ph.D. in Religion, the Graduate Program in Religion —part of the Duke Graduate School—offers a Ph.D. program. Although this program is not housed with the Department of Religious Studies, it is a collaboration between the Department and Duke Divinity School. The program includes the following 9 fields of study, also called tracks, in which students can concentrate their studies:

American Religion
Asian Religions
Christian Theological Studies
Early Christianity
Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Islamic Studies
New Testament
Religion, Aesthetics, and Society
World Christianity

Learn More about the Ph.D. Program

Affiliated Programs
Books By Our Faculty
Statement of Solidarity
B.A. in Religious Studies Requirements
Interdepartmental Major Requirements
Minor Requirements
Message from DUS
Career Paths
Certificate Program in Jewish Studies
Three Religious Traditions
Foreign Language Study
Independent Study
Graduation with Distinction
Trinity Ambassadors
Islamic Studies Certificate
Graduation Forms & Deadlines
Graduate Mentorship Program
How to Apply
All Courses
Buddhism Tradition
Christianity Tradition
Confucian and Daoist Traditions
Hinduism Tradition
Islam Tradition
Judaism Tradition
Research Professors
Associate Professors
Lecturing Fellows
Secondary Appointments
Graduate Students
Alumni Profiles
For Current Students
Assisting Duke Students

Department of Theology

Home ›
Graduate Programs ›
Ph.D. ›
Areas of Concentration ›

History of Christianity

The Department of Theology provides a congenial setting for the study of the history of Christianity in all its rich complexity. Reflecting the diversity of methods and interests of the faculty, a sampling of doctoral seminars from recent years would include:

the medieval Jewish-Christian encounter
religious pilgrimage
theologies of Aquinas, Augustine, Luther, and Origen, among others

Special strengths of the program in the history of Christianity include the interpretation of scripture prior to the modern period, spirituality, and doctrine and theological method from the early period through the Reformation.

“I tend to gravitate towards doctrines that seem inexplicable, and I try to understand what motivated the early Christians to formulate these doctrines in just these ways." — Khaled Anatolios, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

Students who major in the history of Christianity normally concentrate in their course work and candidacy examinations on two of the following periods of Christian history, in any combination: early, medieval, Reformation & modern. In the first two years of residence, the student takes courses in the major, evenly divided between the two periods.

While the majority of these courses are taken with the faculty in the Department of Theology, students are encouraged to take appropriate courses offered by historians of Christianity affiliated with other departments in the University. Students are also required to take some courses outside their field.

Admission to the history of Christianity program has in recent years been increasingly competitive. Entering students should already have made significant progress in the study of languages needed for serious historical research; introductory language work while in residence will be in addition to the normal course load.

Library holdings are especially strong in the early and medieval periods. Most of the reference and research tools crucial for the investigation of early and medieval Christianity are housed in the Medieval Institute , located on the seventh floor of the Hesburgh Library.

Khaled Anatolios

Department Chair John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity |Early Christian Doctrine, Theological Method, and Biblical Exegesis |Khaled Anatolios is interested in all aspects of the theology of the early Church, with special emphases on the Trinitarian, Christological, and soteriological doctrines of the Greek fathers and Augustine; early Christian biblical exegesis; and the development of theological methodology in Patristic and medieval theology. He has published on a variety of early Christian theologians including Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, and Gregory of Nyssa. A particular focus of his work is the engagement between early Christian theological reflection and contemporary theological concerns.

Ann W. Astell

History of Christianity | Hagiography as Biblical Commentary; the Song of Songs and the Liturgy | Ann W. Astell is Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of six books, most recently Eating Beauty: The Eucharist and the Spiritual Arts of the Middle Ages (2006), and is now completing a monograph on hagiography and the Bible. She has been the recipient of an N.E.H. fellowship and a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship. She has edited eight collections of essays, most recently Saving Fear in Christian Spirituality (2020). Past President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and also of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion, she has published recently in Cistercian Studies Quarterly, Spiritus, Theological Studies, Marian Studies, and Religion and Literature.

Yury P. Avvakumov

Associate Professor

History of Christianity |Papacy and Eastern Churches; scholastic theology; Latin and Byzantine ecclesiology and sacramental theology; Russian and Ukrainian religious thought of the 19th and 20th century. | Avvakumov is a historian of Christianity who specializes in the Later Medieval and Early Modern periods, with a focus on scholasticism, ecclesiology, and relations between the papacy and Byzantium, and in Russian and Ukrainian religious history and thought of the 19th and 20th centuries. He is also broadly engaged with the history, ecclesiology, and liturgy of Byzantine-rite Christianity in communion with Rome (“Uniate”, or “Greco-Catholic” Christianity) from its medieval beginnings to the present day. His special research interest is the fateful history of Catholic and Orthodox Christians under Soviet totalitarianism and their role in contemporary post-communist societies. Avvakumov obtained doctorates in Orthodox theology in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in Catholic theology in Munich, Germany. Prior to coming to Notre Dame in 2010, he held academic positions in Germany, Ukraine, and Russia, including at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lemberg where he served as Dean of Humanities and as the founding chair of the Department of Classical, Byzantine, and Medieval Studies in 2006-2009. Courses he teaches include “Latin West and Byzantine East 1054-1596: Clash and Communion”; “Popes, Patriarchs, and Councils: Medieval Church and Ecclesiology”; “Introduction to Scholastic Theology”; “Theology of the Byzantine Liturgy”; “Russian Religious Thought”; “Eastern Churches: History and Theology”. A trained singer, he also teaches a college seminar “Heaven and Hell: Musical Theater” based on operas and oratorios by Bach, Lully, Meyerbeer, Wagner, and Mussorgsky.

Jeremy Phillip Brown

Assistant Professor

History of Christianity |Medieval Judaism, Iberian Kabbalah, Jewish-Christian Polemic |Jeremy Phillip Brown is Assistant Professor of Theology specializing in medieval Judaism. He completed his BA in Religion at Reed College, and earned his doctorate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University. Brown has taught at the University of San Francisco, and served as Simon and Ethel Flegg Postdoctoral Fellow in Jewish Studies at McGill University in Montreal. Research interests include the Zohar, the penitential discourses of Kabbalah and Jewish pietism, Jewish-Christian polemic in medieval Iberia, and the dissemination of Kabbalah in Latin America.

John C. Cavadini

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | He teaches, studies, and publishes in the area of patristic theology and in its early medieval reception. | John C. Cavadini is a Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, having served as Chair from 1997-2010. Since 2000 he has served as the Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. He received a B.A. in 1975 from Wesleyan University; an M.A. in 1979 from Marquette University; M.A., 1981, M.Phil., 1983 and his Ph.D. in 1988 from Yale University. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 1990, Cavadini teaches, studies and publishes in patristic and early medieval theology, the theology of Augustine, and the history of biblical and patristic exegesis. He has served a five-year term on the International Theological Commission (appointed by Pope Benedict XVI) and in 2018 received the Monika K. Hellwig Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Intellectual Life. As Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, he inaugurated the Echo program in catechetical leadership, the Notre Dame Vision program for high school students and is responsible for the continued growth and outreach of the McGrath Institute, which partners with Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools to address pastoral challenges with theological depth and rigor.

Catherine Cavadini

Director of Master of Arts Associate Teaching Professor

History of Christianity |The history of biblical interpretation, especially medieval interpretation of the Song of Songs. |Katie teaches courses within the undergraduate and MA curriculum as well as directing the MA Program.

Brian Daley, SJ

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology, Emeritus

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | Patristic Christology, Eschatology, Theology of Mary, Ecumenical Theology | Born in Orange, NJ, in 1940, Fr. Daley did his undergraduate work at Fordham University and a subsequent M.A, (classics and philosophy) at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He then entered the Society of Jesus, taught for a year at Fordham, and studied theology for ordination in Frankfurt, Germany. He returned to Oxford in 1972 for doctoral studies, focused on the Patristic Christological tradition, and completed a critical edition of the works of the sixth-century theologian Leontius of Byzantium in 1978. He then was a faculty member of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, in Cambridge, MA, until 1996, when he moved to Notre Dame's Department of Theology as the Catherine Huisking Professor. He considers himself a historical theologian, studying the thought and practices of the first seven or eight centuries of Christianity as expressions of the developing common faith of the Church, especially as it is focused on our understanding of the person of Christ, the Trinity, and the hope for eternal life. His most recent book is: God Visible: Patristic Christology Reconsidered (Oxford University Press, 2018).

Margot Fassler

Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, Emeritus

Liturgical Studies, History of Christianity | Theology, Liturgy, and the Arts; Congregational Studies; Sacred Music |Margot Fassler, Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, University of Notre Dame, is Director of the Program in Sacred Music and Tangeman Professor of Music History, Emerita, Yale University. Recent books include Music in the Medieval West and its accompanying Anthology (New York, 2014); (with Jeffery Hamburger, Eva Schlotheuber, and Susan Marti) Life and Latin Learning at Paradies bei Soest, 1300-1425: Inscription and Illumination in the Choir Books of a North German Dominican Convent, 2 vols. (Munster, 2016), and Medieval Cantors and Their Craft (ed. with Katie Bugyis and AB Kraebel) York Medieval Press, 2017. Fassler is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy, a former President of the Medieval Academy of America, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the American Musicological Society. Her digital work includes documentary studies of contemporary congregations. Her book: Cosmos, Liturgy and the Arts in the Twelfth Century: Hildegard’s Illuminated Scivias is forthcoming with the University of Pennsylvania Press. A digital model of creation and cosmos based on the illuminations of Scivias (with Christian Jara) will appear in 2021. These works have been supported by grants from the Luce Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the ACLS. In 2019-20, Fassler was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University.

Paul Kollman, CSC

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity |I am currently preparing a manuscript on the Catholic missionary evangelization of eastern Africa. |Paul Kollman, CSC, is associate professor of theology and has been on the faculty at Notre Dame in the Department of Theology since 2001. Before that he taught at the Queen of Apostles Philosophy Seminary in Jinja, Uganda, and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Since being at Notre Dame he has also taught at Tangaza College, Nairobi, Kenya. His scholarship focuses on African Christianity, mission history, and world Christianity, and he has taught and carried out research in Africa and in archives around the world. Kollman earned his PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School (2001), and a BA and MDiv from Notre Dame (1984, 1990). He is the author of The Evangelization of Slaves and Catholic Origins in Eastern Africa, co-author of Understanding World Christianity: Eastern Africa, and numerous other publications in professional journals. He has served as executive director of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, as president of the American Society of Missiology, and is currently president of the International Association of Mission Studies. Kollman is also a fellow of the Kellogg, Kroc, and Nanovic Institutes at Notre Dame. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kollman currently lives in O’Neill Hall at Notre Dame.

Ulrich L. Lehner

William K. Warren Professor

History of Christianity |History of Christianity after 1500, Global Catholic Studies, Early Modern History, Gender and Race in the History of Catholicism, 19th and 20th c. European History and Culture |Ulrich L. Lehner specializes in religious history and theology of the Early Modern period and the Enlightenment. Among his publications are over ten authored books and more than fifteen edited volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Early Modern Theology, 1600-1800 (Oxford UP: 2016), Women, Enlightenment, and Catholicism: A Transnational Biographical History (Routledge: 2018), and most recently Innovation in Early Modern Catholicism (Routledge: 2021). He was selected as a Member and Herodotus Fellow in the School of Historical Studies at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, a fellow at the Institute for Comparative History of Religious Orders at the University of Eichstätt, Distinguished Fellow at the NDIAS (twice), fellow of the Earhart foundation (twice), and fellow of the Humboldt and Friedrich von Siemens Foundation. In 2014 he was inducted into the European Academy for Sciences and Arts, in 2018 into the Accademia Ambrosiana, and in 2022 into the Academia Europea.

Timothy Matovina

History of Christianity | Latino/a theologies and Latino/a Catholicism | Timothy Matovina works in the area of Faith and Culture, with specialization in U.S. Catholic and U.S. Latino theology and religion. Professor Matovina has authored over 150 essays and reviews in scholarly and opinion journals. He has also written or edited 20 books, most recently Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, which won five book awards, including selection as a CHOICE “Outstanding Academic Title,” as well as Theologies of Guadalupe: From the Era of Conquest to Pope Francis. Among his various scholarly awards, in 2010 Matovina received the Virgilio Elizondo Award “for distinguished achievement in theology, in keeping with the mission of the Academy” from the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). At Notre Dame he has won two teaching awards, including the Julian Samora Award that members of Notre Dame’s La Alianza student organization confer on a faculty member whose research, teaching, and service advance knowledge and empowerment of Latino/a students and communities. In addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on U.S. Catholicism and Latino ministry and theology throughout the United States.

Cyril O'Regan

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology

Systematic Theology, History of Christianity | I am currently finishing up my volumes on the relationship between Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. | Born in Ireland where I received my BA and MA in Philosophy. My Ph. D is from Yale where I taught in the Department of Religious Studies before I came to the Department of Theology at Notre Dame in 1999. My work spans a number of areas, systematic theology, historical theology, and continental philosophy, and I am especially active at the intersection of theology and continental philosophy. I have done considerable work in 19th-century theology and philosophy, postmodern thought, mysticism, apocalyptic, Gnosticism, religion and literature, major Catholic figures such as Newman, de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Benedict XVI, and on the doctrines of the Trinity and "last things." I will shortly complete two volumes dealing with the relationship between the Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. I will then turn to complete my Gnosticism in Modernity project. I intend to write in order a volume on Gnosticism and German Idealism and subsequently a volume on Gnosticism and German and English Romanticism. I teach a wide array of courses on all levels and am very active in directing doctoral students.

Gabriel Reynolds

Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Theology

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity |Qur'anic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations |Gabriel Said Reynolds did his doctoral work at Yale University in Islamic Studies. Currently he researches the Qur'ān and Muslim/Christian relations and is Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at Notre Dame. He is the author of The Qur'ān and Its Biblical Subtext (Routledge 2010) and The Emergence of Islam (Fortress, 2012), the translator of ʿAbd al-Jabbar’s Critique of Christian Origins (BYU 2008), and editor of The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context (Routledge 2008) and New Perspectives on the Qur'ān: The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context 2 (Routledge 2011). In 2012-13 Prof. Reynolds directed, along with Mehdi Azaiez, “The Qurʾān Seminar,” a year-long collaborative project dedicated to encouraging dialogue among scholars of the Qurʾān, the acts of which appeared as The Qurʾān Seminar Commentary (De Gruyter, 2016). In 2018 he published The Qurʾan and the Bible with Yale University Press and in 2020 Allah: God in the Qur'an, also with YUP. At Notre Dame he teaches courses on theology, Muslim/Christian Relations, and Islamic Origins. He runs a youtube channel, “Exploring the Qur’an and the Bible” that features conversations on scripture with leading scholars.

Alexis Torrance

Archbishop Demetrios Associate Professor of Byzantine Theology

History of Christianity | Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, in particular Christology, ascetic thought, and theological anthropology. | Alexis Torrance received his undergraduate and graduate training in Theology at the University of Oxford. He has held research fellowships at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study, the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Dumbarton Oaks in Washington DC. He has been a member of the faculty at Notre Dame since 2014. His research interests gravitate around the fields of Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, with a special focus on the areas of Christology, theological anthropology, ascetic thought, and East-West relations. He is currently developing a project on the nature and practice of theology in the middle and late Byzantine periods, with a view to bringing the findings into conversation with modern Orthodox thought. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2020, and is a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne.

Joseph Wawrykow

History of Christianity |Medieval Christology; the late medieval and early modern reception of Aquinas's theology |Born and raised in Canada, Joseph Wawrykow did his doctoral work at Yale University and has taught at Notre Dame since graduation. He specializes in 13th-century Western theology, and has published on a wide range of central theological topics (Trinity; Christ; grace and predestination; sacraments; biblical interpretation) in high medieval theology. While he is best known for his work on the theology of Thomas Aquinas, his scholarly interests extend to other scholastic theologians, as well as to the varieties of medieval spiritual theology. In his research, he is attentive to issues of reception and transformation, showing the medieval scholastic theological achievement in its complex relations with the theologies of the early Fathers. Wawrykow has directed numerous doctoral dissertations, on such figures as William of Auxerre, Angela of Foligno, Duns Scotus, and, Aquinas. He has received University recognition for his teaching, both undergraduate and graduate, and has been entrusted with several leadership responsibilities by his Department, including lengthy stints as Director of Undergraduate Studies and as Director of Graduate Studies (Ph.D.) He is married to an art historian (Yale Ph.D.); their son did his undergraduate work at Yale and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Mathematics at the University of Michigan.

Jeff Wickes

History of Christianity, Liturgical Studies |Late Antique Christianity; Syriac literature; ritual studies; religion and literature |Jeff Wickes focuses on the interplay between Syriac literature, theology, and liturgy in the context of late antique Christianity. Building projects that work from close readings of Syriac texts, he gravitates in his work towards larger questions of genre (especially poetry), religion, and theology as they play out within the historical horizons of late antique Christianity, and as those horizons meet our own in the contemporary world. His first two books focused on Syriac Christianity’s formative voice, Ephrem the Syrian, and sought to find the place where performative context and exegesis met in the space of Ephrem’s poetry. His current book turns to a range of Syriac hagiographical poems sung between the fourth and sixth centuries to ask questions around form, agency, time, and gender in late antique poetry and the cult of the saints. He comes to Notre Dame after nine years at Saint Louis University. Prior to that, he completed a PhD at the University of Notre Dame, an MA at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, and a BA at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. His work has been supported by grants from, among others, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, the Mellon Foundation, and the Dolores Zorhab Liebmann Fund.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Prospective Students

Search Search
Committees and Areas of Study
History of Religions
Anthropology and Sociology of Religions
Buddhist Studies at UChicago
History of Christianity
History of Judaism
Islamic Studies
Philosophy of Religions
Religion, Literature, and Visual Culture
Religions in the Americas
Religious Ethics

The History of Religions area approaches religion as an exclusively human phenomenon, via the methods of the social sciences and the humanities. It is concerned to theorize at a high level of generalization, informed by broadly comparative and empirical research, and to carry out high level empirical research informed by theoretical reflection.

Faculty: Stephan Licha , Carolina López-Ruiz , James T. Robinson , Anand Venkatkrishnan , Christian K. Wedemeyer Associated Faculty: Christopher Faraone

History of Religions pays self-conscious and explicit attention to problems of epistemology, terminology, category formation, method and motive. Irreverent by temperament and sometimes on principle, it insists that [a] the Western monotheisms should not be the only paradigms and/or objects of legitimate study, [b] religion cannot be reduced to belief, but also includes issues of practices, institutions, communities, habitus and other factors that often operate below the level of consciousness, and [c] interpretation involves critical probing and systematic interrogation of the idealized self-representations of any religious phenomenon.

Those who work within the History of Religions are expected to become thoroughly acquainted with the development of the History of Religions as an academic discipline, and to have a sophisticated understanding of the theories and methods that are relevant to contemporary research in the field. Each student must deal creatively with the tension that results from an emphasis on the importance of historically contextualized studies on the one hand, and of wide-ranging theoretical and comparative research on the other.

Students in the History of Religions develop a special expertise in the study of at least one particular religious tradition. This involves learning to read and/or speak the relevant language (or languages) and becoming familiar with the relevant historical and cultural background. In addition, each student is expected to become informed about a variety of other religious traditions, both historical and contemporary. Students utilize the extensive resources provided by the University as a whole, enhancing their study of particular religious traditions by work in Area Studies departments (such as SALC, NELC, EALC, and Classics) and refining their critical method by work in disciplinary departments (such as History and Anthropology).

Progress Conference format

The progress (or pre-exam) conference is normally held in the spring quarter of the second year, or the fall of the third year. In History of Religions, the progress conference is held with a panel of the area's faculty, and will normally include assessment of coursework to date, cogency of the course of study petition, readiness for qualifying examinations, and development of the dissertation project. A report from the advisor and a timeline for the qualifying examinations is submitted to the Dean of Students following the conference.

Written Examinations

1. Special Area 2a. Contemporary Theory 2b. Classical Theory 3. Another special area or thematic exam

Sample Courses

Classical Theories of Religion
Contemporary Theories of Religion
The Veda and Its Interpreters
Settler Religion: Searching for Indians
Buddhism in Early Theravada Literature
Mahayana Sutra Literature
Pure Land Buddhism
Religions of Tang China and the Eastern Silk Road
Histories of Japanese Religion
Contemporary Topics in the Study of South Asian Religion
Contemporary Topics in the Study of South Asian Religion: Imagining South Asian Islam
Religious Law, Secular Law, and Sexual Deviation in Ancient India
Buddhist Poetry in India
Problems in the History of Religions
Indian Philosophy I: Origins and Orientations
Indian Philosophy II: The Classical Traditions

Religious Studies

You are here, american religious history.

Ph.D. Program in American Religious History

Assistant Director of Graduate Studies: Tisa Wenger Teaching Group in American Religious History: Zareena Grewal (AMST), Kathryn Lofton, Sally Promey (AMST), Tisa Wenger (Divinity)

These guidelines are intended to provide information concerning the program in American Religious History within the Department of Religious Studies. The aim is to provide a series of norms to serve as points of reference from which a program of study can be developed. All students must work with the faculty, the Assistant Director of Graduate Studies for American Religious History (ADGS) and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of the department define their own particular program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the American Religious History faculty early in their academic program to define their needs and to design a course of study which will best prepare them for their qualifying examination and subsequent work. One of the hallmarks of this doctoral program is the very small student-teacher ratio which is purposefully maintained to encourage collaborative mentoring and careful oversight of student development. Adjustments in students’ programs can be made to accommodate newly developing interests and changing course offerings.

Contact Information

The Department of Religious Studies P.O. Box 208287 New Haven, CT 06520-8287 tisa.wenger@yale.edu

Academic Programs

Ph.d. – religions, cultures, & civilizations, applications for 2024 are now open. click here to apply..

Program: Ph.D. in International Studies – 3-4 year option with a focus in Religions, Cultures, and Civilizations

The Jackson School Ph.D. Program seeks to integrate the renowned area-based capabilities of its existing graduate programs with leading-edge scholarship and practice in the field of international studies. This new and innovative program is aimed at those scholars and practitioners who want to develop deep knowledge of areas in the context of specific contemporary global themes, policy challenges, and real-world problems. It combines an intensive research tutorial system with specific coursework to allow doctoral candidates to finish in 3-4 years.

10 Things You Should Know about the Jackson School Ph.D. Program

Applying to the Program

The applications deadline for admission starting fall 2024 is December 31, 2023 . More information about the application procedure, requirements, and deadlines are available here.

Comparative Religion Program, The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, 2023 Skagit Lane, Thomson Hall , Box 353650 Seattle, WA 98195-3650

Room 420 Thomson Hall | Email: [email protected]

The Jackson School is a proud member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs .

PhD in Religion

The Religion Department at Claremont Graduate University contributes to the disciplined study of religion, including—but also transcending—considerations of particular communities of belief and practice.

The PhD in Religion trains graduate students in the theories, methods, and knowledge they need in order to participate in and shape the study of religion in the 21st century as well as to apply those tools to productive careers outside the academy. Students enrolled in this PhD program must choose from one of the following areas of specialization: Critical Comparative Scriptures, History of Christianity & Religions of North America, Philosophy of Religion & Theology, and Women’s & Gender Studies in Religion. In special circumstances, students may work with faculty to create an area of specialization outside these areas.

Program Highlights

Interdisciplinary concentrations are available, including American Studies, Early Modern Studies, Hemispheric & Transnational Studies, Media Studies, and Museum Studies.
You can take courses and interact with faculty and students in other CGU departments and at The Claremont Colleges in such areas as Asian religions, African-American religions, New Testament, women’s and gender studies, and U.S. history.
Thanks to CGU’s proximity to Los Angeles, you will study in one of the most religiously diverse areas in the world.
You will have access to the libraries of CGU and Claremont University Consortium which offer more than two million volumes – more than 250,000 in the field of religion alone.

Program At-a-glance

required units

degree awarded

Spring, Fall

program start

4-7 years | full time*

estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

Critical comparative scriptures.

The concentration in Critical Comparative Scriptures undertakes in-depth examination of world religious texts to better understand how humans use scripture to shape the politics of religious discourse. You’ll analyze scripture from a range of disciplinary perspectives, from anthropology and psychology to social history and political theory, applying cross-cultural, interdisciplinary analysis to the study of religious texts to better understand their roles and interpretations across human history.

History of Christianity & Religions of North America

The History of Christianity and Religions of North America concentration lets students examine the long sweep of religions in the West through the prism of Christianity. Our classic historical approach to the study of religion enables students to put many religions in perspective, focusing on Christian origins, Medieval and Reformation Christianity, and religion in North America.

Philosophy of Religion & Theology

The concentration in Philosophy of Religion & Theology focuses on classical issues in the field as well as recent theories and movements raised by profound philosophical and theological questions. You’ll receive a broad and pluralistic context for your study of religion to understand major issues, movements, and thinkers in philosophy of religion and theology.

Women’s & Gender Studies in Religion

The Women’s & Gender Studies in Religion concentration introduces students to women’s issues across religious traditions and a wide variety of feminist scholarship in this richly expanding field. Our program addresses a vital need for more scholars whose training addresses gender and identity and explores how different religious traditions approach sexuality and spirituality.

American Studies

The American Studies concentration takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of United States culture, society, civilization, and identity through the curricular lenses of history, literature, critical theory, and more.

Early Modern Studies

The Early Modern Studies concentration undertakes interdisciplinary examination of history, culture, politics, and society within the transitional and transformative period that stretched between Medieval and modern societies, marked especially by the advent of print, Christian confessional war, and the rise of the modern state.

Hemispheric & Transnational Studies

A comparative analysis of culture in the Americas, the concentration in Hemispheric & Transnational Studies explores how scholarship on the Atlantic, borderlands, and diaspora have reshaped U.S. American Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Latin American Studies, emphasizing the topics of empire, race, religion, and revolution.

Media Studies

Situated at the bustling intersection of cultural studies, new media, critical theory, and popular culture, the burgeoning field of Media Studies examines the creative and critical practices of media consumers, producers, artists, and scholars, focusing on questions of representation, power, technology, politics, and economy.

Museum Studies

The Museum Studies concentration investigates the history and political role of museums in society, the interpretation and display of a wide variety of cultural productions, and topics of special concern to museums as cultural organizations, using a multidisciplinary, practice-based approach to understand the historical development of this evolving field.

Gigi Audoma

Director of Recruitment for the School of Arts & Humanities

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Professor of Philosophy

Ursuline College

Baker University

Assistant Professor of Religious Studies

Bayan Claremont

Assistant Professor of Muslim Studies

Nicola Denzey Lewis

Professor of Religion Margo L. Goldsmith Chair in Women’s Studies in Religion

Research Interests

Social and Intellectual History of the Roman Empire, Gnosticism, Women’s Studies, Religion in the Roman Empire and Late Roman Empire, Late Antiquity

Ruqayya Y. Khan

Professor of Religion Malas Chair of Islamic Studies

The Qur'an, Arabic literatures, progressive Islamic theologies, women in Islam, Islam and environmental ethics, Islam and the digital age, late antiquity and Islam, origins of Islam, cultures of Umayyad Damascus and Abbasid Baghdad

Daniel Ramírez

Associate Professor of Religion

American religious history; Latin American religious history; Religion, migration, and transnationalism; Religion in borderlands; Contemporary theories of religion

Tammi J. Schneider

Danforth Professor of Religion Chair, Religion Department

Ancient Near Eastern history, literature, archaeology, and religion; Women in the Hebrew Bible

Sallama Shaker

Senior Fellow of Middle East & International Studies

Power Politics, Religion, and Culture in the Middle East; Feminization of Poverty and Global Challenges; Globalization

Extended Faculty

Ahmed alwishah.

Pitzer College

Islamic philosophy, Medieval philosophy, Philosophy of religion, Islamic theology

Myriam Chancy

Scripps College

African diaspora with specialization in its literature

Stephen T. Davis

Claremont McKenna College

Analytic theology, Christian thought, Metaphysics, Philosophy of religion

Politics of knowledge production, Gender and sexuality, Islam, Transnational feminism, The Middle East, especially Lebanon

Erika Dyson

Harvey Mudd College

Activism and religion, American religious history, Church and state, Occult religions, Religion and science

Oona Eisenstadt

Pomona College

Judaism and political theory

Gastón Espinosa

American religion & politics; Latino religions; Latino religions & politics; Pentecostal, charismatic, & liberation movements; Religion and the American presidency; Religion in the United States

Gary Gilbert

Bible, Christian-Jewish relations, Israel, Jesus, Jewish/Christian relations, Judaism, New Testament

Philip Zuckerman

Secularity, Atheism, Apostasy, and Scandinavian culture

Application Guidelines


Item	Description
Application Fee	$80
Official Transcripts	Yes
Letters of Recommendation	3
Statement of Purpose	Yes
Resume	Yes
Academic Prerequisites	Master's Degree Required
Other Requirements	Writing sample, English proficiency exam

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Spring 2024 Priority Deadline – November 1, 2023 Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2023 Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2023 Classes begin – January 16, 2024

Fall 2024 Priority Deadline – February 1, 2024 Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2024 Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2024 Classes begin – August 26, 2024

Application Checklist

The Claremont Graduate University online application is hosted online by Slate Technolutions via a secure web server. You will create a username and password so that you can return to continue your application over several sessions and check your status after submission. After you submit your application, it is made available for review by our faculty and staff.

Begin your application

The application fee is non-refundable.

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to [email protected] are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE scores is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053 .

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at [email protected] .

Download the Recommendation Form

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.

All applicants are required to submit a writing sample of previous work in addition to the statement of purpose. You may submit samples of any length you feel indicate your writing ability, but please note that we will be unable to return any items submitted as part of your application (please, no books). Most applicants submit one or two scholarly papers or excerpts of around 10-15 pages. Writing samples should not exceed 30 pages.

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)

Program	72 units
Tuition per unit*	$2,020

*Based on 2023-2024 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)

$245 Student Fee

$150 Technology Fee

International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2022-2023 .

Review General Costs

View Concentration

Hemispheric & Transnational Studies

These concentrations are available for students pursuing the following degree programs:

Master’s Degrees

Applied Gender Studies
Cultural Studies
Islamic Studies

Doctoral Degrees

Are you ready to apply?

Request More Info

Contact us for more information, while waiting for our answer, take a look at our faq, maybe you'll find some answers to your questions.

Home > Degree Programs > Doctor Of Philosophy (PhD) in Religion

Doctor of Philosophy in Religion

Your role in the evolution of religious tradition begins here. And the way in which communities change, and are changed by, religious tradition is frequently mediated, moderated and inspired by students like yourself – students who are ready to research, write and formulate their unique, original interpretations. In turn, that knowledge and interpretation forms the basis for inspired leadership and teaching.

One could go so far as to say that you will learn from your religious study, and your religion will learn from you. It’s the way of spiritual and theological growth. It’s the way of community growth.

Personal growth. This is why Claremont offers concentrations in contextual or comparative theology and philosophy, Jewish studies, Christian origins, religious ethics, and Whiteheadian process studies. The PhD is an advanced degree because it requires discipline, dedication and vision. Knowledge and imagination. It requires you.

PhD in Religion

Fall 2024

Priority Deadline

Select your Concentration below

Customize your program

Comparative Theology and Philosophy

Contextual theologies (global phd), philosophy of religion and theology, process studies, hebrew bible and jewish studies, new testament and christian origins, ready to experience claremont.

History, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

Location: Tempe campus
Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD History

The PhD program in history offers outstanding opportunities for graduate study in North American, European, public and global-comparative history.

The School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies' world-class faculty members deliver courses and individualized mentoring in a wide range of historical topics, such as urban history, environment and sustainability studies, politics and policy, immigration, gender, race and ethnicity, and comparative history. In addition, doctoral history students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the numerous collaborative opportunities that exist throughout the university in ASU's many innovative schools and centers.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum plan options.

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (16 credit hours) HST 502 Public History Methodology (3) HST 640 Historical Methods (3) HST 641 North American History (3) HST 643 Global History (3) HST 644 Area Studies in History (3) HST 682 Advanced Research Skill (1)

Electives and Research (44 credit hours)

Other Requirement (12 credit hours) HST 591 Seminar (6) HST 792 Research (6)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) HST 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information In general, all credit hours must be at the 500 level or above. Graduate credit may be awarded for 400-level courses; it must be approved in advance and documented in the student's file.

The doctoral program requires a minimum of 84 credit hours and may be completed in four to five years. Students with a master's degree may apply 30 credit hours toward the 84 required credit hours with approval of the academic unit and the Graduate College. If the student does not already have a master's degree in a related field, then the remaining 30 credit hours are made up of electives and research to reach the 84 credit hours required for the doctoral program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. The most competitive applicants have a GPA of 3.30 or higher.

All applicants must submit:

graduate admission application and application fee
official transcripts
statement of purpose
resume or curriculum vitae
writing sample
three letters of recommendation
proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The history program requires a TOEFL iBT score of at least 90. A student whose native language is not English also must submit a copy of an article or research paper in the student's native or principal research language in addition to the English writing sample required of all students.

Students are required to submit a minimum of three email addresses of faculty or others qualified to speak to the student's suitability for graduate study in history. Letters of reference should be submitted by the recommenders in addition to the electronic reference form they are asked to complete.

The statement of purpose is to be addressed to the history admission committee and should explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, the primary field the applicant wishes to pursue, the proposed research specialization, and why the applicant wants to pursue graduate study at ASU; it should be about 500 words in length.

The writing sample, either published or unpublished, may be an article, a research paper, or any other extended sample of expository skill, and it must be no longer than 35 pages in length. Longer writing samples should not be submitted without first consulting the graduate director. Documents and files should not be password protected. Acceptable file types are .rtf, .pdf and .doc.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

Identify and complete applications for funding opportunities that can support their research
Demonstrate mastery of three domains of historical knowledge as well as display expertise in their proposed topic of study
Accomplish meaningful contributions to the profession through accepted publications and presentations

Career Opportunities

Graduates possess the foundational skills in research, writing, and communication and fundamental training needed for careers in research, archival work, higher education, teaching, public history, government service, and a host of other areas in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

They serve as first-rate historians, highly qualified instructors at two-year schools and universities, researchers and consultants for business and government, archivists, foreign service officers, management professionals, community organizers and public servants. Other career examples include:

editorial and publishing professional
K-12 school teacher
museum director and staff
nonprofit director
university professor

Global Experience

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

[email protected]
480/965-5778

Login to myGETS
Directories

Doctor of Philosophy in History of Christianity and Historical Theology

Experience historical christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History of Christianity and Historical Theology focuses upon historical themes, issues, and methodologies. Students in the program will study a major historical emphasis, such as Christian origins and the Early church; the Reformations in Europe; the rise of the Reformation and the Wesleyan movement in England; the period of US Christian history; Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. Within these, more delimited time periods and subjects/themes would be selected for study and research, to include social context, theological developments, and key ecclesiastical and social issues.

Meet a Current Student

Peter J. Smith is a doctoral student in historical theology and a native of Athens, Ohio. His research focuses on the development of theological anthropology and soteriology in the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as the early articulation of Wesleyan theology. His master’s thesis discussed the anthropological implications of Athanasius’ doctrine of deification.

Degree Requirements

The PhD in History of Christianity and Historical Theology is a 40-credit hour degree program.

3 Foundational Courses (7-credit hours)

Hermeneutics
Teaching Seminar
Research Seminar

6 to 8 Courses in Major (18- to 24-credit hours)

6 hours are required in designated courses in applied historiography

3 to 4 Courses in Minor (9- to 12- credit hours)

2 Elective Courses as needed (6 credit hours)

Research Languages and/or Research Tools (2)

One in a language for academic research and a second research language or pertinent research methodology, plus all tools necessary to complete the dissertation.

Qualifying Exams

4 written exams
1 oral exam

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation and Defense

Optional focus in African American/Black Religious Studies

To add a focus in African American/Black Religious Studies, a student would take a minimum of fifteen hours of courses with specific African American/Black content, as selected by the student in consultation with their advisor. Persons opting for this focus would have an African American/Black advisor or consulting co-advisor, or as a committee member. At least one of the student’s Qualifying Examination questions would be on a dimension of African American/Black religion. The student’s dissertation would incorporate some element relating to African American/Black religious life and thought.

Our History Faculty

In my courses, I want students to appreciate the past as something that is both distant from us and always with us. I want them to experience historical Christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

Dr. Anna Johnson Associate Professor of Reformation Church History

My goal is to make the historical authors, their worlds, worldviews, and their thought accessible to the twenty-first century student as much as possible.

Dr. James Papandrea Professor of Church History and Historical Theology

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of broad areas of their respective disciplines—primary sources, secondary sources, methods, and intellectual foundations
Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct research and make contributions to their field
Develop research skills to carry into their future work as scholars
Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication to present and publish work in their field
Demonstrate competence in teaching their discipline in a designated course on pedagogy and through practical experience as teaching assistants
Demonstrate, through service in academy, church, and seminaries, the value of their discipline to the academy and community at large

Garrett accepts applications from students with a masters degree in religious or theological studies from an accredited college or university and proficiency in the English language.

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, PhD applications WILL NOT require GRE scores. Applications are due by January 20th.

Affording Your Education

Phd overview, housing opportunities.

Florida State University

FSU | Department of Religion

Department of Religion

Ph.d. requirements.

American Religious History History and Ethnography of Religions Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy Religions of Western Antiquity

American Religious History

Coursework .

Hour Requirements: at least 33 hours beyond the MA level (27 with MA thesis in Religion) and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.

Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree are required to take 30 hours (10 courses) of graded course work beyond the Master's level and 24 dissertation hours for a total of 54 credit hours. As students focus their interests, they might be required to engage in further study beyond the 30 hours if their specialties require it. The completion of a Master's Thesis in Religion qualifies a student for a 3-hour reduction in the Ph.D. coursework requirement. The 30 hours of graded coursework should be distributed as follows:

Required Courses: RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion); RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom)
Seminars: At least 15 hours of graduate seminar courses in American religious history; including a 6000-level course in the historiography of North American religions
Secondary Area: 6 hours of additional courses in religion
Exam preparation: 6 hours of reading preparation for comprehensive exams

Prior to sitting for the doctoral exams, a student must demonstrate reading competency in two research languages beyond English, ordinarily French and German. A student may substitute Spanish for one of those languages in cases where projected research requires it. Likewise, depending on the focus of the dissertation, a student may be required to acquire competency in additional languages, such as Creole and Native American languages, Latin and Greek, or Asian languages.

An intensive period of examination takes place at the completion of coursework for the Ph.D. and prior to writing a dissertation prospectus. Students write essays in response to questions in four areas and take an oral exam based on their essays. At least six months prior to sitting for exams, students must establish their comprehensive exam committee. The committee normally will consist of an ARH faculty advisor; two other ARH faculty members; and a fourth member from the department of religion or another FSU department to advise (as necessary) the secondary area. Students construct reading lists for each of their exams in consultation with their advisor and their three-member exam committee. Exams periods are at the end of fall semester and at the end of spring semester. The four exam areas are:

American Religious History: This exam focuses primarily on the historiography of American religion. The exam covers the history of comprehensive scholarly narratives about American religious history as well as historical analyses of major topics and trends.

Methods in American Religious History: This exam involves explanation and analysis of several different methods useful in historical studies of American religion. Methods discussed in this exam might include, for example, ethnography, gender theory, spatial analysis, and one more or more types of textual, sociological, or psychological analysis. This exam will also test critical use of historical sources.
Secondary Area: Ph.D. candidates are expected to show mastery of an area of study in religion outside American religious history . This exam tests that mastery and is designed to help qualify students to teach at least one course in an area outside their specialization in American religious history.
Dissertation Area: This exam focuses on the subfield within American religious history in which the student will write a dissertation.

Prospectus

Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus must be delivered to the Graduate Studies Committee in the semester immediately following the doctoral examinations. The prospectus should include a thesis statement, an explanation of how the thesis will be developed and argued from one chapter to the next, and a discussion of the originality of the dissertation thesis with respect to existing scholarly literature. The prospectus should also include a working bibliography. The Committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus. Acceptance of the prospectus signifies the advancement of the student to "Ph.D. candidate" status.

Dissertation and Defense

The dissertation is to be written under the guidance of the student's doctoral advisor. A committee of at least four faculty members, including three from the Religion Department and one from another department, will read the dissertation and set a time for the oral defense. The student will formally defend the dissertation before the committee and peers.

Continuation of Funding

Departmental funding for a doctoral student will expire 24 months after the completion of the doctoral exams.

>>Back to Top

History and Ethnography of Religions

Hour Requirements: at least 24 hours beyond the M.A. in Religion or relevant discipline and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.

In consultation with HER faculty, doctoral students will develop a program of course work and advanced research allowing both breadth and depth in the historical and anthropological study of religion, specializing in one of three individual areas of specialization:

Religions of Africa & the Caribbean (African Indigenous Religions; African Initiated Churches; Afro-Caribbean religions; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; New religious movements)
Religions of Asia ( Buddhism ; Hinduism; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam)
Religions of Western Europe & the Mediterranean (medieval or early modern Christianity and Judaism; Islam)

Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree in one of these areas of specialization are required to take 24 credit hours (8 courses) of graded course work beyond the M.A. level (M.A. level is the equivalent of 33 credit hours of graduate course work) and 24 dissertation hours for a total of at least 48 credit hours. The 24 credit hours of graded course work should be distributed as follows:

Primary area of specialization: Four courses (12 credit hours)
Secondary area of specialization: Two courses (6 credit hours), which may be inside or outside the HER concentration
Theory and method: Two courses (6 credit hours), which may be taken in another department, with prior approval. One must be RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion)
Dissertation research (24 credit hours)

*For students beginning their Ph.D. program as of Fall 2022, RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom) is also required.

Doctoral candidates must meet the following minimum language requirements. Languages chosen must be relevant to the field of specialization and approved by the student's faculty committee.

First research language, up through 4th year level or equivalent
Second research language, if required for the area of specialization
Reading knowledge of French, German, Italian, or Spanish, demonstrated by passing the reading knowledge exam (Another language may be substituted with approval).

The languages necessary for advanced research in each field of specialization include the following:

African & Caribbean Religions: To be determined in consultation with advisor*
Buddhism : Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese
Chinese Religions: Chinese, Japanese
Christianity (medieval or early modern): Latin
Hinduism: Sanskrit, Hindi
Islam: Arabic
Tibetan Religions: Tibetan, Chinese and/or Sanskrit

*Students specializing in Religions of Africa and the Caribbean will determine relevant languages for their research in close consultation with faculty. Language requirements for Africa will likely include a historically non-indigenous African language (like Afrikaans, Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish) and an indigenous African language, and, for the Caribbean, a creole or Amerindian language and a European colonial or South Asian language. Students will want to learn where such languages are taught in the United States and Africa and whether or not FLAS grants would fund such study.

By the end of the semester preceding the completion of course work, a proposal for the content and schedule of the comprehensive exams is worked out between the student and the faculty committee. Comprehensive exams usually begin after all course requirements (including languages) are completed. Exams may be administered in a number of ways; determination of scheduling and format is a matter for student proposals, which then may be modified or approved by the faculty. It is required that all comprehensive exams be completed within one semester. Successful completion of comprehensive exams signifies the advancement of the student to "Ph.D. candidate" status.

Exams will be completed in the following four areas:

Primary religious tradition (African and/or Afro-Caribbean religions; Buddhism; Hinduism; Islam; medieval or early modern Christianity; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam)
Secondary religious tradition (African and/or Afro-Caribbean religions; Buddhism; Hinduism; Islam; medieval or early modern Christianity; Shinto; Religious traditions of India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam)
Theory and methodology in the study of religion , including theory and method specific to student's dissertation research
Comparative theme, phenomenon, or issue in religious studies (e.g., asceticism, pilgrimage, sacrifice, nationalism, gender, iconography, a philosophical concept, etc. to be chosen in consultation with the committee)

Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a detailed dissertation prospectus. The prospectus must be delivered to the Graduate Studies Committee in the semester immediately following the completion of doctoral examinations. In the case of students applying for dissertation fellowships with early deadlines, it may be submitted earlier. The prospectus should include a thesis statement, an explanation of how the thesis will be developed and argued from one chapter to the next, and a discussion of the originality of the dissertation thesis with respect to existing scholarly literature. The prospectus should also include a working bibliography. The Committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus.

Dissertation and Defense

Dissertation in area of primary tradition. Extended ethnographic and archival study abroad in a country relevant to the candidate's dissertation research is required as a part of the dissertation preparation.

Continuation of Funding

Religion, ethics, and philosophy.

Hour Requirements: at least 24 hours beyond the MA in Religion and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.

Students who obtain the Ph.D. in Religion with concentration in religion, ethics, and philosophy will normally complete 24 hours (8 courses) beyond the M.A. The goal of competence is primary, however, and individual students may be advised to take additional hours to ensure adequate preparation. The precise program of courses will be determined in consultation with area faculty. Doctoral students must take, either at the MA or PhD level, RLG 5035 (Introduction to the Study of Religion) and, for students beginning their programs as of Fall 2022, RLG 5030 (Religion in the Classroom).

Students will also satisfy language requirements, as follows: reading competence in two languages of research (usually French and German), as shown either by successful completion on a test administered by the FSU Department of Modern Languages, or by prior work (with cases to be determined by area faculty); competence as necessary for the student's area of research (for example, students engaged in comparative analyses of Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu materials will be expected to show an acceptable level of competence in primary source languages.) Please note: It is expected that students entering the Ph.D. program will show competence in at least one language of research prior to beginning coursework.

Following completion of coursework and language requirements, students may be approved for a set of comprehensive exams. These examinations are for the purpose of demonstrating competence for teaching and research in areas related to the goals of the religion, ethics, and philosophy program. In consultation with area faculty, individual students design a proposal for these exams, which typically will include an exam focused on theory and method in the study of religion; an exam focused on modern and historic expressions of religious thought in Christianity or Judaism; and two special areas of particular relevance to a student's interests. We strongly urge students to take up a second religious tradition as one of the special areas. Exams may be administered in a number of ways; determination of scheduling and format is a matter for student proposals, which then may be modified or approved by the faculty.

Following successful completion of examinations, students work with faculty on a dissertation, understood to be an original contribution to scholarship.

Religions of Western Antiquity

Hour Requirements: at least 24 hours beyond the MA level and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.

Prerequisites

Reading knowledge of two of the following languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French, or German. One of these must be Greek or Hebrew at the intermediate level.

M.A. with a significant concentration in Western Antiquity.

Concentrations

Upon entering the program, students must choose one of three concentrations: (I) Ancient Judaism (Exile through Late Antiquity); (2) Ancient Christianity (First through Fifth Centuries); (3) Ancient Judaism and Christianity. Changing the student's concentration will require the approval of the RWA faculty.

Requirements that must be met during the PhD program

At least eight graduate courses must be taken during the doctoral program (not including beginning language work, professional development, supervised teaching, etc.). Four of these must be seminars in Ancient Judaism or Christianity, with at least one seminar in each tradition. In addition to these seminars, students will take two additional courses in the area of their concentration. Area 3 concentrators will take at least two seminars in each tradition.

Requirements that may be met during an MA Program.

RLG 5035: Introduction to the Study of Religion
RLG 5030: Religion in the Classroom
Hebrew Bible Proseminar
New Testament Proseminar
Christianity in Antiquity I and II (or equivalent at another institution)
Two advanced surveys dealing with Judaism in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Graeco-Roman World: Two graduate-level courses dealing with the Graeco-Roman World that do not focus on Judaism or Christianity.
Outside Field: Two graduate level courses in religion (or a field related to religion) that do not deal primarily with the ancient world.
French and German (third-semester course or university exams)
Classical Greek and Hebrew (third-semester course level of one and fourth-semester course level of the other).
Aramaic/Syriac (one semester)
Concentrators in Ancient Judaism must have an additional semester of Aramaic/Syriac. Concentrators in Ancient Christianity must have two-semesters of Latin. Concentrators in area 3 (Judaism and Christianity) must have either an additional semester of Aramaic/Syriac or two semesters of Latin.
Ancient language and at least one of the modern language requirements must be met before students can begin exams. All requirements must be met before student is admitted to candidacy (ABD).

Normally exams will be taken during the 3rd year of the PhD program within six months of the completion of course work.

Students will sit for the following four exams, which may be taken in any order:

Greek or Hebrew Language : The exam will be based on a text the student has prepared in advance and must be approved by the RWA faculty. It should not be a text that has been read as part of a Greek or Hebrew course. The Hebrew Exam will be based on approximately 30 BHS pages of a prose text or 20 BHS pages of a poetic text. The Greek Exam will be based on a text of approximately 25 pages (c. 5000 words) from Philo, Josephus, Lucian, Plutarch, Justin, or Eusebius.
Graeco-Roman World : Based on a reading list of primary and secondary texts dealing with the history, philosophy, literature and religion of the Graeco-Roman world.
Christianity in Late Antiquity (through the mid fifth century): Based on a Reading List of primary and secondary texts. More extensive knowledge of the ancient evidence and modern scholarship will be expected for three special areas.
Judaism from the Babylonian Exile through Late Antiquity : Based on a Reading List of primary and secondary texts.

The language exam will consist of a written translation exam. The Graeco-Roman World, Christianity, and Judaism Exams will each consist of a written and oral component, the latter to be scheduled within two weeks of the corresponding written exam. For each of these three exams, in addition to gaining familiarity with the general content and key issues of all the primary and secondary literature on the reading lists, students will choose: (1) two themes or issues that will require analysis of a broad range of material from the reading list and (2) a special area that will require more extensive knowledge of the ancient evidence and modern scholarship for the subject.

Soon after a Ph.D. student passes their comprehensive exams, they will, with input from their advisor, form their dissertation committee. The committee will have at least four members and will include at least three RWA faculty members as well as the required University Representative. This person must be a faculty member with tenure at FSU in a department other than Religion. As far as possible, the outside committee member should be familiar with the area and/or methods relating to the dissertation.

Upon satisfactory performance in the doctoral exams, a student will prepare, in consultation with an advisor, a dissertation prospectus. The prospectus should include the following items:

A description of the subject of the dissertation.
Research questions driving the project
The proposed project's original contribution to scholarship.
A breakdown and description of each chapter of the dissertation
A bibliography

The prospectus should be 15-20 pages, plus bibliography. Once the student, in consultation with their advisor, has worked out an acceptable prospectus, they will send it to their entire committee for review. The committee may require that a candidate revise and resubmit the prospectus. Once the committee accepts the prospectus, the student advances to "Ph.D. candidate" status. It is not required but the student and/or their advisor may want to have the prospectus workshopped in a RWA Colloquium meeting.

Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor from the RWA faculty. At the beginning of each semester, students will discuss possible courses with their advisor and will then submit a list of proposed courses to the RWA faculty for approval. Although students will have one advisor for administrative purposes, they are encouraged to discuss their interests and plans with all members of the RWA faculty.

Progress Review

There will be a meeting of the RWA faculty and each student toward the end of the Spring Semester, during which the student's progress toward his/her degree will be reviewed.

Departmental funding for a doctoral student will expire 24 months after the completion of the doctoral exams.

641 University Way / P.O. Box 3061520 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306-1520 TEL: (850) 644-1020 l FAX: (850) 644-7225

Faculty and Staff Resources

Connect with the department.

Utility Menu

Committee on the Study of Religion

PhD Handbook
Loeb Fellowship

Doctoral Program

Please click here for a text version of the program history, resources, and courses.

Doctoral Calendar

Graduate Student Resources

Doctoral Student Profiles

PhD Program Timeline

PhD Program Advising

Doctoral Dissertations

Doctoral Professional Placement

Teaching & Professionalization

Study of Religion as a Secondary Field

Director of Administration, Elise Ciregna [email protected]

Student Coordinator, Sarah Passinhas-Bergman [email protected]

Graduate Coordinator, Nancy Barricklo [email protected]

Graduate Program Email [email protected]

Text version of Related Fields.

Research Partners
Graduate Students
Recent Graduates
Why Religious Studies
Concentrations
Distinguished Majors Program (DMP)
Masters Promotion Program
How to Declare
Peer Advisors
Career Mentoring Network
About our Program
Areas of Study
How to Apply

American Religions

Description.

The American Religions area focuses on the religious cultures of the United States, domestically and transnationally, in both historical and contemporary contexts. As such, the program is interdisciplinary, encompassing historical, theoretical, cultural studies, and anthropological approaches to the study of religion. Nineteenth and twentieth-century US religious history forms the foundation of our training. Students and faculty in American Religions examine religion as a product of particular communities, institutions, and histories, always understood alongside larger cultural, social, economic, and political contexts. Analyses of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, law, economics, and politics are therefore integral to training in American Religions.

Faculty bring expertise in American Protestantism, Mormonism and minority religious traditions, African American religious cultures, Buddhist modernism, American Catholicism, secularism, law, politics, spirituality, and social reform, among other topics—as well as historical and cultural studies methods. Students typically take courses and often comprehensive exams with faculty in other areas of the department, taking advantage of the wide range of faculty expertise across traditions and methods in Religious Studies at UVA.

Graduate students in American Religions have a long tradition of studying closely with faculty and graduate students in the US History track of the Department of History. Students are also encouraged to work with faculty in Anthropology, Art History, the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies, English, Jewish Studies, Media Studies, Music, Politics, Sociology, the School of Law, and any other relevant department or program at UVA.

The University of Virginia offers a number of graduate certificate programs that may be of interest to students in American Religions: Africana Studies , American Studies , Digital Humanities , Environmental Humanities , and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies .

Requirements and Examination Structure for the PhD

In addition to the requirements as outlined in the Graduate Record, students in the American Religions PhD program are required to take RELG 8400: Historiography of American Religions. All students must prove competency in one language other than English.

The comprehensive examinations in American Religions are normally taken in the 5th semester of enrollment for students with advanced standing, and in the 6th semester for those without advanced standing, as is typical across the department.

American Religions students take three written examinations over the course of approximately 10 days—each supervised by a separate professor in Religious Studies or, occasionally, another department—followed by an oral examination with the entire examination committee that covers the same content as the written exams.

The general topics of the exams are worked out between the student and their advisor, while the precise reading list for each exam is worked out between the supervising professor and the student. Normally, students take at least one, and often two, examinations in American religious history on periods defined chronology. Common exams in this mode are 19th-century US religious history, 20th-century US religious history, American religion before 1865, and so on. The remaining one or two exams are generally defined thematically or topically. Past examples include secularism and spirituality; religion and race; religion, gender, and sexuality; religion, nation, and empire; religion and environment; religion and law; US political, social, or cultural history—among others.

Exams serve to credential students in particular subfields, to prepare students to teach, and to prepare students to conduct dissertation research. They must therefore be chosen and shaped in careful consultation with advisors.

Undergraduate Admission
Student Affairs
Events Calendar
George W. Bush Presidential Center
Prospective Students
Current Students
Information for Faculty & Staff

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Graduate programs.

Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
New Testament
History of the Christian Tradition
Religion and Culture
Religious Ethics
Systematic Theology

Requirements :

Satisfactory completion of 48 credit hours of approved coursework, including the four courses of the core seminar in Religious Studies: RELI 6301 The Philosophical Study of Religion; RELI 6302 Approaches to Asian Religion; RELI 6303 History, Theory and Method in Religious Studies; and RELI 6304 Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion.

Demonstrating, by examination, a reading competence in two approved languages, other than English, relevant to the field of study. For students in the two fields of biblical studies, four languages are required. Examinations must be passed in both Hebrew and Greek as well as in two additional languages.

Passing four comprehensive field examinations on the subjects designated for examination in the student's field, each consisting of a six-hour written examination based on the bibliography agreed upon with the examiner and the second reader.

Securing the steering committee's approval of a dissertation proposal endorsed by the student's adviser, two other members of the Graduate Program in Religious Studies faculty and one reader from outside the Graduate Program in Religious Studies faculty.

Satisfactorily meeting the practice teaching requirement.
Satisfactorily completing the doctoral dissertation.
Passing an oral examination covering the student's entire course of study as well as the dissertation.

Degree Timeline - GPRS - Ph.D.

Among the key features that separate the GPRS from other graduate programs in the country are its diverse student cohorts, close-knit community, and collaborative and celebratory culture.

Primary navigation menu

Search the smu website, popular searches.

Undergraduate Majors
Departments

Did you know

Dedman College has an active alumni network with over 10,000 alumni in Dallas County and over 36,000 worldwide.

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
Research degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD is an internationally-recognised research qualification. You can study for your PhD on-campus or by online learning.

Studying for your PhD in the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science means that you will undertake an extended, original research project allowing you to become an expert in your specialist area and gain high-quality research skills.

You’ll have regular meetings with your supervisors who will read your work and provide detailed feedback and advice. You’ll also develop an initial training plan to make sure you are acquiring the appropriate skills for your research and that your progress is monitored.

You will conduct original research work under the guidance of your supervisors. Your initial priority is to refine a research plan and establish a feasible timescale for your project. You may be required to shadow an MA Research Methods module as part of your training programme.

For the first 12 months (or 18 months if part-time) you’ll be enrolled as a provisional PhD student and you'll develop a detailed research proposal and write a literature review. This work will be submitted to a panel of examiners who will assess it and provide you with feedback and advice on the progress of your research.

This is called 'transfer' and is an important means of monitoring the progress of your work and assessing whether your proposal has enough weight to be accurately explored through a PhD research path.

After successful transfer, you will enrol as a full PhD student, complete your research and write a thesis of approximately 100,000 words.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of this thesis, and your viva voce, where you present and discuss the rationale, methods and findings of your original study with an examining panel.

A PhD can be taken full-time (3 years standard) or part-time (five years standard).

Areas of supervision

Research opportunities are available across the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science. Each specialism in the School has its own research areas , each of which has a successful and thriving research community.

Entry requirements

You should hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline, and hold, or expect to obtain, a Masters degree a related subject.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an English language qualification, for example IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components.

You can improve your academic English level to the standard needed to study a postgraduate research degree by taking a pre-sessional course.

The online-learning PhD requires IELTS score of 7.0 overall, no less than 6.5 in every component.

Scholarships and fees

A range of scholarships are available for PhD students.

Fees for PhD programmes are set independently and reviewed on annual basis.

PhD by online learning

The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science also offers a PhD by online learning which is available to UK, EU and International applicants. PhD by online learning allows you to study at a time and place that suits you and with a part time option available, you'll have the flexibility to gain an advanced degree alongside work and other commitments.

The programme is aimed at suitably qualified Postgraduate Researcher candidates who need to study for most of their registration period at another site. There are a number of reasons why you may wish to base yourself away from the University of Leeds whilst undertaking your PhD which include the following:

Your research project requires substantial access to resources and facilities located at a different site

You have employment commitments relevant to your project that prevents you from being based in Leeds

Your PhD has been arranged as part of a specific partnership/sponsorship arrangement

For further information, please contact Dr Pammi Sinha , Head of the Graduate School.

Jim Baxter PhD Philosophy

I enjoyed being able to dedicate such a large amount of time to thinking deeply about a single question. Doing a PhD is pretty much the only way you can do that and it’s a real privilege. I also think there’s a lot to be said for doing a PhD part-time. It takes a long time, but it’s great to have something separate from work that you can dedicate time and attention to like that.

Academics /

Religion Master’s Degree Program

Explore the history, texts, and functions of religion within different societies and cultures.

Online Courses

11 out of 12 total courses

On-Campus Experience

2 weekends or a 3-week summer course

$3,340 per course

Next Start Term

Program Overview

Through the master’s degree in the field of religion you:

Develop an understanding of the historical origins, central teachings, and devotional practices of the major religious traditions.
Build knowledge of religion’s role in political, economic, and cultural life through historical, social, and cultural contexts.

Program Benefits

Expert instructors, including faculty from Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Personalized academic & career advising

Harvard library & museum access

A faculty-supported thesis

Paid research opportunities

Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

The religion master’s degree program allows you to experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person. With a wide array of courses to choose from, you can tailor your experience to meet your unique learning goals. You will further customize your experience by choosing either a thesis or capstone.

11 Online Courses

Primarily synchronous
Fall, spring, January, and summer options

You’ll complete 1 on-campus course, Engaging in Scholarly Conversation, at an accelerated or standard pace:

2 weekends (1 in fall and 1 in spring)
A 3-week summer session

Capstone or Thesis Track

Thesis: features a 9-month independent research project with a faculty advisor
Capstone: includes exploring a topic and completing a project in a classroom community

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

First, you’ll register for and complete 3 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.

Next Start Term: Fall 2024

Course registration is open July 22–August 29.

To get started , explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

Earning a Stackable Certificate

As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate certificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn a second professional credential.

For each certificate, you can choose courses that best fit your goals.

Stackable graduate certificates include:

Religions of the World
Religion and Society

Our Community at a Glance

Going back to school doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold. We’ve designed our courses, certificates, and degrees to give you the flexibility to pace your studies to fit your schedule.

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn your Harvard University degree: the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Religion.

Download: Religion Master's Degree Fact Sheet

Average Age

Average Courses Taken Each Semester

Work Full Time

Would Recommend the Program

Professional Experience in the Field

Pursued for Personal Enrichment

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

Our Course Tuition (2024–25 rate)	$3,340 per course
Average Course Tuition of Peer Institutions	$4,330 per course
Average Total Program Cost	$40,080

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

Learn more about the cost of attendance .

Coffee Chat: All About Liberal Arts Programs at HES

Are you interested in learning more about liberal arts graduate degree programs at Harvard Extension School? Attendees joined us for an informational webinar where they had the opportunity to connect with program directors, academic advisors, and alumni.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Departments and Units
Majors and Minors
LSA Gateway

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

News & Events
History at Work
History Showcase
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Alumni & Friends

History Honors
Careers & Internships
Transfer to U-M History
Innovative Instruction
Undergraduate Research
Awards & Scholarships
Admissions Procedures
Research Spotlight
Awards and Honors
Graduate Student Instructors
Degree Requirements
Student Life
Recent Dissertations
Financial Support
Affiliated Programs
Giving Opportunities
Stay in Touch
History Matters Magazine
Topical Clusters: In Depth
Emeritus / Emerita
Affiliated Faculty
People by Areas of Interest

Religious history can be approached from many different directions. Some of our faculty in this field study religious institutions, others look at religion as a form of collective identity, others explore the history of religious thought, and still others focus on devotional practices and the cultural history of religion. The study of religion also encompasses the closely related concept of "the secular." Everyone in the religious history cluster is committed to an interdisciplinary perspective that reaches out towards anthropology, sociology, philology, literature, and politics.

Department of History: Religion

United States
Intellectual & Cultural History
Gender Studies & Sexuality
Race & Ethnicity
Science, Technology & Medicine
Global & World
Politics & Power

Africa ; African Diaspora, Atlantic Studies ; Politics & Power ; Religion ; History

Middle East ; Asia ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Religion ; History

Africa ; Environmental History ; Religion ; History

United States ; Religion ; History

Asia ; Global & World ; Religion ; Science, Technology & Medicine ; History

History ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Politics & Power ; Race & Ethnicity ; United States ; Religion

Europe ; Nations & Nationalism ; Race & Ethnicity ; Religion ; History

Europe ; Religion ; Ancient Studies ; History

History ; Asia ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Global & World ; Religion

African Diaspora, Atlantic Studies ; Latin America & Caribbean ; Religion ; History

United States ; Early America ; Gender Studies & Sexuality ; Medieval & Early Modern Studies ; Religion ; History

Europe ; Global & World ; Religion ; Medieval & Early Modern Studies ; Gender Studies & Sexuality ; Historical Materials ; History

Africa ; Economic History, Social History, Quantitative Methods ; Religion ; History

Europe ; United States ; Religion ; Race & Ethnicity ; History

Europe ; Medieval & Early Modern Studies ; Latin America & Caribbean ; Religion ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; African Diaspora, Atlantic Studies ; History

Asia ; Global & World ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Religion ; History

Europe ; Global & World ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Race & Ethnicity ; Religion ; Ancient Studies ; History

Middle East ; Global & World ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Religion ; Ancient Studies ; History

Europe ; Middle East ; Global & World ; Religion ; Law & Society ; Historical Materials ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Gender Studies & Sexuality ; Science, Technology & Medicine ; Ancient Studies ; History

Asia ; Historical Materials ; Religion ; History

Middle East ; Global & World ; Environmental History ; Gender Studies & Sexuality ; Religion ; Science, Technology & Medicine ; History

Africa ; Global & World ; Religion ; Historical Materials ; History

Europe ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Nations & Nationalism ; Religion ; Economic History, Social History, Quantitative Methods ; History

Latin America & Caribbean ; African Diaspora, Atlantic Studies ; Religion ; Nations & Nationalism ; History

Middle East ; Religion ; Environmental History ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; History

Europe ; Religion ; History ; Ancient Studies

Europe ; Gender Studies & Sexuality ; Politics & Power ; Religion ; History ; Ancient Studies

Medieval & Early Modern Studies ; Global & World ; Asia ; Religion ; History ; Gender Studies & Sexuality

Europe ; Global & World ; Historical Materials ; Intellectual & Cultural History ; Nations & Nationalism ; Race & Ethnicity ; Religion ; History

Europe ; Medieval & Early Modern Studies ; Religion ; Gender Studies & Sexuality ; History

Report Feedback

Graduate School Faculty of Religion and Theology

The Graduate School provides you with first-class personal supervision by leading experts in an exciting and stimulating research environment. We offer a challenging PhD training and supervision programme and organize expert meetings and seminars in which you can present your work in progress, interact with fellow students and scholars from all over the world, and build your own network for an academic career and profession.

Our supervisors represent a wide range of academic disciplines, from research in Christian theology and study of religion in its wide variety (Biblical studies, history of Christianity, systematic theology, ecumenics, practical theology), to Islamic studies, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish studies, ethics, philosophy of religion, comparative religion, interreligious dialogue, social-scientific study of religion, religion and trauma, religion in the public domain, religious heritage, and so on. Our research projects aim to serve the academic community, society and faith communities all over the world. We invite you to follow your passion and explore the next steps in your academic career.

This website will help you find information on admission procedures, education programmes, fees, and much more. If you need more information, please make sure to also check the VU PhD website. You can contact us by sending an email to our office ( [email protected] ). We are happy to answer your questions.

Warm regards,

Prof. dr. August den Hollander

Director of the Graduate School, Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The upcoming application deadline is February 1st, 2024

Contact the office of the Graduate School FRT VU

Meet our graduates: dr. An-Ting Yi

What was the biggest challenge during your PhD research? What is it like to be in the final stage of the PhD trajectory and what is your plan for your future? We asked one of our graduates these questions. Click on the link below to learn about the experiences of An-Ting Yi.

In October 2023, An-Ting defended his PhD dissertation on “From Erasmus to Maius: The History of Codex Vaticanus in New Testament Textual Scholarship''.

Go directly to:

Meet our new PhD candidates!
Annual PhD Conference FRT
Doing your PhD step by step
How to Apply
Education Programme
Research and Partners
Fee, VUnet ID, Visa and Funding
Graduate School Community
Office of the Graduate School FRT VU
Downloads and Links

This website uses cookies

You can accept all cookies or set your preferences per cookie category. You can always alter your choice by removing the cookies from your browser. VU Amsterdam and others use cookies to: 1) analyse website use; 2) personalise the website; 3) connect to social media networks; 4) show relevant advertisements. More information about the cookies we use

Cookie preferences

You can accept all cookies or you can set your preferences per cookie category. You can always alter your choice by removing the cookies from your browser. See more information in the cookie statement.

Personal settings:

These cookies are used to ensure that our website operates properly.

These cookies help to analyse the use of the website. These measurement data are subsequently used to improve the website.

Personalisation

These cookies are used to analyse how you use our website. This enables us to adapt our website content with information that suits your interests.

Social media

These cookies are placed by social media networks. For example, if you watch a YouTube video embedded in the website, or use the social media buttons on our website to share or like a post. This allows social media networks to track your internet behaviour and use that for their own purposes.

Advertising

These cookies are placed by advertising partners. They are used to show you relevant advertisements for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam on other websites that you visit. They enable advertising networks to track your internet behaviour.

Interesting for you
My settings

Theology and Religious Studies in United Kingdom

Why Study Theology and Religious Studies in United Kingdom

Studying Theology and Religious Studies in United Kingdom is a great choice, as there are 41 universities that offer PhD degrees on our portal.
Over 551,000 international students choose United Kingdom for their studies, which suggests you’ll enjoy a vibrant and culturally diverse learning experience and make friends from all over the world.
We counted 17 affordable PhD degrees in United Kingdom , allowing you to access quality higher education without breaking the bank. Moreover, there are 350 available scholarships you can apply to.

50 Theology and Religious Studies PhDs in United Kingdom

Study in United Kingdom

Universities in the UK are some of the most highly regarded in the world, and for good reasons. Some of the world's most highly regarded research takes place in British universities, which are regularly featured in international rankings. While studying in the UK, you will be able to develop in a highly multicultural environment with high chances of pursuing lucrative careers after graduation. The teaching in the UK is designed to encourage new idea generation, encouraging individual research and group cooperation, through class discussions and creative assignments.

Is United Kingdom the right place for you?

Take the test and find out which country is your best fit.

Explore your Theology and Religious Studies degree

Theology and Religious Studies is an academic discipline that explores beliefs, practices, texts, and histories of religions worldwide. Specialisations include Christian Theology, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Comparative Religion, and Philosophy of Religion. In this program, you'll gain knowledge of world religions, engage in philosophical and ethical discussions, analyse religious texts, and understand religion's societal impact. The skills developed, such as critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding, are applicable in education, social work, law, and public policy. Career options include clergy, religious educator, non-profit worker, chaplain, and policy analyst. A Theology and Religious Studies degree offers meaningful opportunities for those interested in exploring faith and its influence.

Is Theology and Religious Studies the best for you?

Take the test and find out if Theology and Religious Studies is the right path for you.

Go to your profile page to get personalised recommendations!

Finding the Roots of Religion in Human Prehistory

Viktor Vasnetsov’s impression of a Paleolithic gathering – Public Domain

A glance at recorded history shows us that humans have “always” felt a need to explain phenomena perceived to exist beyond our comprehension. Today, we turn to science to seek answers to our questions about the universe. But in the past, preliterate people developed spirituality to deal with their deepest metaphysical queries.

But when exactly did this conceptual revelation evolve and why did it take root so strongly ?

In all regions of the world where writing has evolved, we find documents that corroborate humanity’s long history of creating stories to fill in the gaps, defining the limits of our understanding. In many cases, such stories provide deeply symbolic narratives intended to unite people and help them deal with themes that are difficult to explain, like the emergence of life and the paradoxes surrounding the inevitability and permanence of death.

In many parts of the world, uncannily similar cosmological stories appeared soon after the founding of the first urbanized civilizations (i.e., creation myths ) These stories serve to address metaphysical issues, and often (anthropocentrically) provide anecdotal accounts to explain how humans fit into the overall scheme of things. Some stories evolved into myths and were steeped in moral reckonings that served to model and control individual conduct in response to the growing population density, which followed the establishment of production-consumption economies.

Cultural convergence is, however, not just commonly observed in creation myths. The Acheulian techno-behavioral revolution; Upper Paleolithic blade technologies; Holocene farming and megalithic structures; and the invention of writing are all examples of landmark techno-social developments that occurred in similar timeframes in vastly different areas of the globe where cultural transmission through direct contact was unlikely to have occurred.

Before science, our ancestors dealt with the unknown by inventing stories that they incorporated into their lives as reasonable replacements for truth. Even though they shared a lack of scientific grounding, some of these stories were passed on over the centuries and eventually became enduring religious beliefs that continue to be embraced by many people.

The ancient mythical stories inscribed on Bronze Age monuments or incised into clay tablets recount exhaustive stories that imply an older origin or perhaps a long history of oral transmission. The question arises: without written accounts, how can we discern when prehistoric humans began to replace real-life situations with abstract ideas as a way to rationalize what they could not understand ?

Myths are stories that provide alternative interpretations of real-life events and are socialized through specific ritual behaviors. They are as distinct and diverse as the cultural entities that created them. Cyclicity is a common feature of these stories that are often ritualized in specific calendrical phases, with strong ties to celestial events associated with seasonal changes. The ritualized narration involves role-playing and specific attire and takes place within family units or in large communal gatherings. Such periodic get-togethers strengthen social ties, while their predictability provides reassuring stability that people can count on, especially during uncertain times.

History is replete with more recent examples of religion being used as a means of controlling large masses of people by manipulating their fears of cosmic reprisal or other non-verifiable retribution. In modern society, this strategy remains an incredibly powerful tool that has been effectively exercised by just a handful of individuals highly placed within a social hierarchy. But religious practices and spiritualism are essential social mechanisms in the many thousands of hunter-gatherer lifestyles we have emerged from.

Early forms of spiritualism can be defined as expressions of a belief in unseen cosmic forces thought to be guiding the universe . In archeological records, evidence of spiritual behavior is very difficult to identify before the invention of writing. In fact, we know very little about how early Homo sapiens and other forms of the genus Homo they encountered (like Neandertals and Denisovans ), dealt with the disturbing emotional void caused, for example, by untimely death, or other kinds of trauma originating from uncontrollable or unknown sources.

The human brain is programmed to use reason to process what is seen and experienced to be able to comprehend situations and react to them in ways that are optimal for self-preservation. While we turn to science today to understand the world that surrounds us, our ancestors were left to wonder and question their universe. Prehistoric people would have experienced natural disasters (flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and periods of intense weather deregulation) the true causes for which would have been beyond their grasp. Creating stories to explain such events would have permitted them to remember and learn from them, as well as to deal with them emotionally.

Assigning reasoning to catastrophic or cosmological events by transforming them into myth is an effective survival strategy that allows humans to share and process significant occurrences. This approach fatalistically transfers these events to an imaginary force beyond human control. Unlike science, spiritual or religious claims cannot be proven or tested, nor do they provide empirical knowledge allowing us to intervene or change the situation.

Among the existential predicaments troubling human consciousness, death stands out as a singularly problematic theme that has long been a source of human angst; we simply cannot conceptually grasp the idea of termination of self; of infinite nothingness following our demise. Archeologists concede that intentional burials could represent the first concrete evidence of a spiritual act performed by our ancestors, one that could imply that they were experiencing a new awareness or discomfort in dealing with the concept of death.

During the Lower Paleolithic (a cultural period dating globally to between around 2.6 million and 350,000 years ago), hominins left abundant evidence of their passing in open-air contexts, rock shelters, and caves in Africa and Eurasia. So far, none of these discoveries suggest that the H. erectus (or other related species) carried out special handling of the remains of their dead, whose bones have been found discarded alongside those of the animals they consumed and the tools they used to butcher them .

Identifying sepulchers in ancient prehistoric contexts is difficult for archeologists because natural erosive forces tend to erase the evidence over time. Intentional burial may, however, be identified by the presence of human remains (one or more individuals) found in anatomic connection (indicating rapid or careful inhumation); corpses arranged in particular postures (fetal position); or intentionally modified (disarticulation and displacement of body parts); or in specific orientations (facing in a particular cardinal direction); or intentional modification of the substratum (digging of a pit); or by the presence of grave goods (red ocher, shells, beads, antlers, ivory, etc.).

Intentional displacement of the dead is evidenced at the 430,000-year-old site of the Sima de los Huesos , where the skeletal remains of some 29 pre-Neandertal individuals were found at the bottom of a deep pit within a karst cave system at the Sierra de Atapuerca , in Spain. A single, carefully crafted handaxe discovered among the human fossils makes this exceptional accumulation of pre-Neandertals even more intriguing because the tool has been interpreted as some kind of “ offering .”

The oldest burials presently documented are from the Levant and date to around 100,000 years ago.They were found in cave sites attributed to the Neandertals and anatomically modern humans that coexisted in the area during the Middle Paleolithic (the period dated roughly between 350,000 and 40,000 years ago). Meanwhile, the discovery of an intentional burial of a modern human infant in Panga ya Saidi, Kenya, dating back 78,000 years, is the earliest burial found in Africa .

Cases of intentional burial have long been recognized at Neandertal sites across Eurasia , underpinning the growing body of evidence suggesting that these hominins had developed complex symbolic behaviors previously thought to be reserved only for our species . These burials, alongside evidence of aesthetic concerns in the fabrication of their tools and even body ornaments , and art demonstrate that the Neandertals possessed some form of spiritual awareness and perhaps even primitive forms of coded symbolic behavior. Sometimes exogenous materials like rare or unusual rocks, carnivore teeth, or even flowers (in the case of Shanidar cave , in Iran) were deposited in these burials, further strengthening this hypothesis.

Intentional human inhumations associated with grave goods are also known from the Eurasian Upper Paleolithic ( especially the Gravettian cultural period ; 32,000 to 26,000 years ago). During this phase of human evolution, spectacular cave paintings conveyed stylized animals, abstract signs and symbols, and even shamanistic figures , indicating perhaps that these ancient people possessed animist spiritual visions.

During the Neolithic Period (roughly 10,000–8,000 years ago, depending on the region), people developed more sedentary lifestyles, strengthening their ties with the lands they adopted and within which they buried their dead. Depending on the region, this practice eventually developed into various forms of ancestor veneration, fortifying societal links and regional identities. Strong social ties gave individuals a sense of “belonging” that was consolidated on the spiritual level by creating rituals that were woven into the stories they told.

New compartmentalized arrangements were established, and societies that produced, accumulated, and traded goods needed to find ways to protect them. The reinforcement of religious belief codified behavioral norms that sharpened differences and reinforced the frontiers separating people based on culture. Civilizations were thus established within imaginary frontiers that were endlessly redrawn through successive battles based on imagined interpopulation differences.

In the modern world, religion continues to be a powerful influential force shaping the lives of millions of people. It is easy to understand why so many people still cling to the security provided by ritualized participative behaviors. The hope afforded by spiritual belief helps fight the feeling of alienation in a globalized and digitalized world dominated by technologies beyond our understanding.

This article was produced by Human Bridges .

CounterPunch+

Genocide Then and Now
Migration is Not a Crime
Moving Human Targets
Misogyny and the Attacks on Bodily Autonomy
Prabowo Subianto, Cuddly Mass Murderer

IMAGES

Luke The Physician And Other Studies In The History Of Religion (LARGE
PPT
Dynamics in the History of Religions
History of Religion: 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds !
PhD Church History
History Of Religions

VIDEO

PhD Entrance Exam Question Paper History
The Origins of Religion
Historian in Training
History and origins of the big five religions
Channeling Humans from the Future 2033- PhD History Professor Predicts US 2024 Elections & More!
Prof Elaine Howard Ecklund

COMMENTS

History & Ecumenics PhD Program
The History and Ecumenics Department features world-class scholars who specialize in the historical development and contemporary trajectories of Christianity, often in the context of other religious traditions. The faculty's expertise reaches across time and around the world. The graduates of our PhD program have gone on to be professors and ...
Ph.D. in the Study of Religion
The doctor of philosophy (PhD) program in religion at Harvard dates from 1934, when the Faculty of Arts and Sciences established a degree of PhD in "The History and Philosophy of Religion." Its purpose, as stated by the Faculty, was "to make possible a course of studies which shall enable the candidate both to lay a broad and sufficient foundation for teaching and study within the field of ...
Ph.D. Program in Religion
For students seeking their Ph.D. in Religion, the Graduate Program in Religion—part of the Duke Graduate School—offers a Ph.D. program. Although this program is not housed with the Department of Religious Studies, it is a collaboration between the Department and Duke Divinity School. The program includes the following 9 fields of study, also called tracks, in which students can concentrate ...
History of Christianity
Notre Dame's Department of Theology offers undergraduate programs as well as graduate degrees including a Ph.D., master of divinity, master of theological studies, master of sacred music, and master of arts. The faculty specialize in moral theology, spirituality, history of Christianity, liturgy, and biblical studies.
History of Religions
History of Religions. The History of Religions area approaches religion as an exclusively human phenomenon, via the methods of the social sciences and the humanities. It is concerned to theorize at a high level of generalization, informed by broadly comparative and empirical research, and to carry out high level empirical research informed by ...
American Religious History
These guidelines are intended to provide information concerning the program in American Religious History within the Department of Religious Studies. The aim is to provide a series of norms to serve as points of reference from which a program of study can be developed. All students must work with the faculty, the Assistant Director of Graduate Studies for American Religious History (ADGS) and ...
Religions, Cultures, & Civilizations
Program: Ph.D. in International Studies - 3-4 year option with a focus in Religions, Cultures, and Civilizations. The Jackson School Ph.D. Program seeks to integrate the renowned area-based capabilities of its existing graduate programs with leading-edge scholarship and practice in the field of international studies. This new and innovative ...
PhD in Religion
The Religion Department at Claremont Graduate University contributes to the disciplined study of religion, including—but also transcending—considerations of particular communities of belief and practice. The PhD in Religion trains graduate students in the theories, methods, and knowledge they need in order to participate in and shape the ...
PhD in Religion
This is why Claremont offers concentrations in contextual or comparative theology and philosophy, Jewish studies, Christian origins, religious ethics, and Whiteheadian process studies. The PhD is an advanced degree because it requires discipline, dedication and vision. Knowledge and imagination. It requires you.
PhD Program & Timeline
PhD Program & Timeline. Click here for a text version of the graphic. *Students in the Ph.D. program register for courses through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Courses pertinent to their different areas of study may be found across departments and schools in the Harvard University Catalog. Courses not designated with an FAS course ...
History, PHD
The PhD program in history offers outstanding opportunities for graduate study in North American, European, public and global-comparative history. The School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies' world-class faculty members deliver courses and individualized mentoring in a wide range of historical topics, such as urban history ...
Doctor of Philosophy in History of Christianity and Historical Theology
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History of Christianity and Historical Theology focuses upon historical themes, issues, and methodologies. Students in the program will study a major historical emphasis, such as Christian origins and the Early church; the Reformations in Europe; the rise of the Reformation and the Wesleyan movement in England; the period of US Christian history; Wesleyan and ...
The 9 Best Online Schools for Ph.D. in Religious Studies in 2021
A Ph.D. in Religious Studies is a research-intensive feat that tackles religion, culture, and society. See the top 10 online schools offering the program.
Ph.D. Requirements
American Religious HistoryHistory and Ethnography of ReligionsReligion, Ethics, and PhilosophyReligions of Western Antiquity American Religious History Coursework Hour Requirements: at least 33 hours beyond the MA level (27 with MA thesis in Religion) and at least 24 hours of dissertation credit.
Doctoral Program
Please click here for a text version of the program history, resources, and courses.
History of Religions
The first academic journal devoted exclusively to comparative religious history, History of Religions has set the standard for the study of religious phenomena from prehistory to modern times. HR publishes fresh and insightful scholarship that is engaged both with particular traditions, places, and times and also speaks to broader methodological and/or theoretical issues in the study of ...
American Religions
Graduate students in American Religions have a long tradition of studying closely with faculty and graduate students in the US History track of the Department of History. Students are also encouraged to work with faculty in Anthropology, Art History, the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies, English, Jewish Studies, Media Studies, Music, Politics, Sociology, the ...
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Securing the steering committee's approval of a dissertation proposal endorsed by the student's adviser, two other members of the Graduate Program in Religious Studies faculty and one reader from outside the Graduate Program in Religious Studies faculty.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science also offers a PhD by online learning which is available to UK, EU and International applicants.
Religion Master's Degree Program
In our religion graduate degree program, you will explore the history, texts, and functions of religion within different societies and cultures.
Religion
Religious history can be approached from many different directions. Some of our faculty in this field study religious institutions, others look at religion as a form of collective identity, others explore the history of religious thought, and still others focus on devotional practices and the cultural history of religion. The study of religion also encompasses the closely related concept of ...
Graduate School Faculty of Religion and Theology
Our supervisors represent a wide range of academic disciplines, from research in Christian theology and study of religion in its wide variety (Biblical studies, history of Christianity, systematic theology, ecumenics, practical theology), to Islamic studies, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish studies, ethics, philosophy of religion, comparative religion, interreligious dialogue, social-scientific ...
Theology and Religious Studies in United Kingdom
Everything about PhD's in Theology and Religious Studies in United Kingdom: Explore top universities, costs, scholarships, and admission requirements for all study formats.
Finding the Roots of Religion in Human Prehistory
History is replete with more recent examples of religion being used as a means of controlling large masses of people by manipulating their fears of cosmic reprisal or other non-verifiable retribution.