Department of Religious Studies

Doctoral Programs (Ph.D)

We offer Ph.D. study in following areas:

  • Art, Literature & Media: The study of artistic and literary works of relevance to religion from different periods, locations, and traditions.  The study of the aesthetic values in religious traditions. The study of media from philosophical, historical, and anthropological perspectives.
  • Culture, Ethics & Society in Modern South Asia: The study of religion in modern India from anthropological, historical, textual, ethical, and aesthetic perspectives.
  • Emotions and Affect: The study of emotional and affective aspects of religious practice, as well as the discourse about emotions and affects in religious text and speech.
  • Gender & Sexuality: The study of discourses, practices, and identities associated with gender and sexuality, as they intersect with religion, other markers of identity and social location.
  • Jewish Studies: The study of Jewish tradition throughout its history, including the Hebrew Bible in the ancient Mediterranean context, rabbinic literature, and modern Jewish history and thought.
  • Medieval Islamic History & Thought: The study of Islamic beliefs and practices within the cultural and historical context of the Middle East and South and Central Asia.
  • Philosophy & Ethics: Philosophical and ethical studies related to religious traditions and practices.
  • Religion & Ecology: The study of ecological themes as they relate to religious practices, from historical, literary, and ethical perspectives.
  • Religion & Politics: The study of politics and its interconnections with religion, from historical, textual, and constructive perspectives
  • Religion in the Americas: The study of religion in North America from historical and anthropological perspectives.
  • Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean: The interdisciplinary study of religion throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near-East.
  • Religious Experience & Mysticism: The historical, phenomenological, and critical study of religious experiences and mysticism in various traditions and contexts.
  • Race & Indigeneity: The study of race and indigeneity, as well as their intersections with other identities, discourses, and structures of power. 

 

 

Prospective applicants are welcome to direct inquiries to Prof. Daniel Vaca (Daniel_Vaca@brown.edu), Prof. Nancy Khalek, Director of Graduate Studies (Nancy_Khalek@brown.edu), Nicole Vadnais, Graduate Program Manager (Nicole_Vadnais@brown.edu) and/or any faculty member in the listed areas (see the full faculty list).