I reflect here on the significance of philology, and scholarship in general, in a time of war. And yes, there's even some #etymology. Please give it a read and let me know what you think. open.substack.com/pub/ajab/p/w...

What use is philology in a time of war?

Some thoughts on politics, the humanities, and the dialect of Minab

open.substack.com

We can't wait to see you at our Annual Roetzel Family Lecture. The Religion of AI Observed, co-sponsored by the Department of English, Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature (CSCL), Philosophy, History, and the program in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (HSTM).

On February 25th, Kathryn Lofton will give a public lecture about how American politics increasingly reflects reality TV. It will be in the  Best Buy Theater in Northrop at 4:30pm. Co-sponsored by the Department of English

Co-sponsored by the Department of English . On February 25th, Kathryn Lofton will give a public lecture about how American politics increasingly reflects reality TV. It will be in the  Best Buy Theater in Northrop at 4:30pm.

Please join us on Tuesday, March 24th, for our annual Roetzel Family Lecture co-sponsored by the Department of English, Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature (CSCL), Philosophy, History and the program in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (HSTM.

Join our spring 2026 semester class about History of the Crusades with Professor Elijah Wallace.

We have more spring 2026 courses coming your way! Check out Professor Ajay Skaria's course where you will learn more about Hinduism: Making Modern India. If you have any questions you can reach out to us anytime.

The American Academy of Religion announced that Anna Seastrand, a Religious Studies Core Faculty Member, won the 2025 Religion and the Arts Book Award for Body, History, Myth: Early Modern Murals in South India. We congratulate Professor Seastrand on this incredible achievement.

Trace the history of Islam in America—from early exploration and the slave trade to Malcolm X and post transformations. Join RELS 3631: Islam in America: A History of the Present with Professor Aisha Ghani, Thursdays 4–6:30 PM, Spring 2026.

Spring semester registration is now open! Join Professor Andrea Sterk for World of Christianity, offered every Monday and Wednesday. Examine the history, beliefs, and cultural influence of Christianity in a course designed to expand your perspective.

We have more classes coming your way this Spring! Check out this Religion and Culture course with Professor Aisha Ghani. Learn about tracing the origins and history about the Religion and Culture.

If you haven't or even have registered for spring classes yet still check out our Religious Studies department courses! Join Professor Atur Ranjani in learning more about the interesting topic of Death and the Afterlife.

Join our spring 2026 semester class about History of the Crusades with Professor Elijah Wallace.

The American Academy of Religion announced that Anna Seastrand, a Religious Studies Core Faculty Member, won the 2025 Religion and the Arts Book Award for Body, History, Myth: Early Modern Murals in South India. We congratulate Professor Seastrand on this incredible achievement.

If you haven't or even have registered for spring classes yet still check out our Religious Studies department courses! Join Professor Atur Ranjani in learning more about the interesting topic of Death and the Afterlife.

We have more classes coming your way this Spring! Check out this Religion and Culture course with Professor Aisha Ghani. Learn about tracing the origins and history about the Religion and Culture.

Spring semester registration is now open! Join Professor Andrea Sterk for World of Christianity, offered every Monday and Wednesday. Examine the history, beliefs, and cultural influence of Christianity in a course designed to expand your perspective.

Trace the history of Islam in America—from early exploration and the slave trade to Malcolm X and post transformations. Join RELS 3631: Islam in America: A History of the Present with Professor Aisha Ghani, Thursdays 4–6:30 PM, Spring 2026.

Tomorrow, Nov. 12 is the virtual book launch for ARCHIVAL IRRUPTIONS (Duke University Press, 2025). Please join me at 6pm Central (7pm ET)! The event is part of the University of Minnesota’s History Book Club and you can register here: cla.umn.edu/history/news...

Explore the spiritual and cultural dimensions of South Asian art. Art of India, offered this spring by the Religious Studies Department, examines how artistic traditions reflect history and faith.

Are you interested in understanding religion from a global & cultural perspective? Enroll in RELS 1001 with Professor Sarah Dees : Spring Semester, M/W 2:30–3:45 PM.

Are you interested in learning more about key theories and the methods in the academic study of religion? Register to Professor Katharine Gerbner's spring semester course Theory and Method in Religion: Critical Approaches to the Study of Religion.

Are you interested in learning more about key theories and the methods in the academic study of religion? Register to Professor Katharine Gerbner's spring semester course Theory and Method in Religion: Critical Approaches to the Study of Religion.

Are you interested in understanding religion from a global & cultural perspective? Enroll in RELS 1001 with Professor Sarah Dees : Spring Semester, M/W 2:30–3:45 PM.

Unforgivable Discussion Recap: Last Tuesday, we hosted a powerful and honest conversation with Kevin O'Neil who shared insights from his book Unforgivable, and Patrick Wall brought deep experience and perspective to the discussion. 🎥 Check it out when you can: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTKT...

Unforgivable: Clerical Sexual Abuse from New Ulm, MN to Guatemala

YouTube video by Religious Studies Program

youtube.com

We want to highlight the release of Katharine Gerbner's groundbreaking book, Archival Irruptions: Constructing Religion and Criminalizing Obeah in Eighteenth-Century Jamaica. Duke University Press, 2025.

Religious Studies Assistant Director Awarded 2025 Ann Bolin & Gil Herdt Book Prize Congratulations to Nathanael Homewood, Assistant Director of the Religious Studies Program, whose book Seductive Spirits has been awarded the 2025 Ann Bolin & Gil Herdt Book Prize.

I'm thrilled that my book is coming out this month, and even more thrilled to be on this fall lineup from @dukepress.bsky.social - so many amazing authors and titles! Check out the whole fall lineup here: dukeupress.wordpress.com/2025/10/01/n...

New Books in October

As the fall season rolls in, curl up with a new book! Check out our list of titles coming out in October for some reading inspiration. Part love story, part homage to jazz, and part guide to creati…

dukeupress.wordpress.com

Duke University Press@dukepress.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Check out the list of terrific #NewBooks we're releasing this month, including "Archival Irruptions," by Katharine Gerbner @ktgerbs.bsky.social: buff.ly/oH4sMaj

Check out the list of terrific #NewBooks we're releasing this month, including "Archival Irruptions," by Katharine Gerbner @ktgerbs.bsky.social: buff.ly/oH4sMaj

Don’t miss this! On October 14th at 4 PM, join Kevin O'Neill and Patrick Wall in conversation about Unforgivable, a critical look at abuse and accountability in the Catholic Church. 📍 Location: Northrop Crosby Seminar room #Unforgivable #KevinONeill #PatrickWall #UMNEvents #religiousprogram