Religious Studies

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The academic study of religion at Colby focuses upon the origins and historical development of several of the world's major religious traditions with the goal of enabling students to understand and appreciate religious diversity in the modern world. Although Religious Studies is a small department at Colby, we are able to include within our curriculum courses that explore Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Buddhism, and Islam, and thus represent a considerable exposure to complex and varied religious traditions. Often we are able to expand the scope of our inquiry further.

A study of Judaism and Christianity provides students with a deep knowledge of the development of Western culture and its heritage. Similarly, learning about Asian religions is crucial for understanding the culture of India, China, Japan and other Asian countries. We also intend to expose students to a variety of methods in Religious Studies. Thus in our courses students learn to study religions by scrutinizing their literary traditions, archaeological remains, rituals, texts, and their societal influence. The study of religion teaches people to think clearly, critically, and cross-culturally about ways in which human beings continue to understand the world and their role in it.

You can learn more about our faculty, our students, and our courses by accessing course materials and resources for your exploration of the world's religions. The menu at the left will help you navigate our site.

 
Lectures 2011-12

pagelsposterCompagna-Sennett Religious Studies Inaugural Lecture
"Vision, Prophecy and Politics in the Book of Revelation"
Professor Elaine Pagels
Princeton University
September 14, 2011

"Wine, Women, and Death: Love and Piety in Medieval Judeo-Arabic Culture"
Professor Raymond Scheindlin
Professor of Medieval Hebrew Literature
The Jewish Theological Seminary
November 9, 2011

"Food and Identity in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam"
Professor David Freidenreich
November 30, 2011

Compagna-Sennett Religious Studies Lecture
"Religion and Authority in Modern Irish Society"
Professor Dermot Keogh
Department of History at University College Cork, Ireland
April 24, 2012

 
Compagna-Sennett Jan-Plan Fellowships

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Joint project by Desiree Shayer (Government & Middle East Studies) and Jena Hershkowitz (History & Religious Studies)
"Living Islam in Urban India"

Simran Jaisingh (Global Studies)
"Tale of the two Devis Kali and Mumba: Food production and consumption at their two sites in Kolkata and Mumbai"

Compagna-Sennett Trip to Yale and Harvard: "Colby students visit ancient Israel"
With Professor Julie Faith Parker, April 14-15

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Social Events

Family Weekend Reception, October 29, 4:30-5:30
Pizza Party at the Pub, November 3, 6-7pm
Celebrating Professor David Freidenreich's book, November 30, 7pm
Pizza break at the Pub, February 21, 6-7pm
Religious Studies Open House and Ice Cream Social, March 13, 7-8pm
Spring Banquet and Awards Night, May 1, 5:30-7:30

 
Senior Independent Study Presentations

April 26, 2012
4:00-6:30 pm
Lovejoy 205

Maddie Berger: "Islam in the Black-American Experience"
Andy Estrada: "A Divine Being Clothed by Humanity: A Comparison of Jesus in the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Mark"
Rachel Frenkil: "The Face of the Church on the Unborn Child: The Abortion Debate in the American Catholic Church"
Jena Hershkowitz: "Religio-Cultural Identity and Law in Muslim India"
Allison Stitham: "Playing the Part: An Examination of Civil War Era Mourning and the Performance of Social Identity"
Trip Venturella: "Zen Aesthetics in Paula Vogel's The Long Christmas Ride Home"
Jack Vihstadt: "The Good (Face)Book: Catholics and Social Media"

 
Honors Thesis Presentations

May 3, 2012
4:00-6:00
Lovejoy 205

Todd Curcuru: "Aesthetic Embodiment in the poetry of a young and elderly Bhai Vir Singh"
Spencer Kasko: "Comforts and Curses: The Character of Noah and His Role in the Flood Story"
Sierra Medling: "The Socio-Spiritual Value of Zombie Horror Films"
Allison Shepherd: "Sikhing for Green: An Environmental Reading of Sikh Scriptures"