Why Iowa?

Learn to think, write, and speak with care about sensitive topics involving religious and cultural differences—and do it at Iowa where writing is the bedrock of what we do.

Develop a deeper understanding

Advance your scholarly work

Learn from experts across fields

See yourself here

Be part of a community of students interested in exploring religion intellectually and culturally. Tap into Iowa's writing and research infrastructure and work with faculty to publish knowledge and findings.

Gisell Torres portrait

 

"Having great professors in the Religious Studies department has been such an enriching experience. The curriculum is diverse, delving into the complexities of worldwide belief systems and deepening my understanding of other cultures and perspectives." 

- Gisell Torres

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Join a network of graduates who have gone on to pursue exciting careers in law, health care, business, community, academia, and more. You'll leave this program a more nuanced thinker with a deep understanding of how religion impacts our world.

News and announcements

kefas lamak and lois geist

PhD candidate Kefas Lamak awarded Graduate Research Excellence Award

Monday, March 17, 2025
Kefas uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine the customs and legacies of colonialists, missionaries, and Indigenous peoples in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria from 1860 to 1960.
banner of kefas lamak hanging on a light pole

PhD candidate Kefas Lamak featured in OVPR Dare to Discover banner campaign

Monday, February 10, 2025
Reveals religious legacies in Africa.
kristy nab han-warren

Dr. Nabhan-Warren selected as senior mentor for Young Scholars in American Religion Program

Monday, October 7, 2024
Kristy Nabhan-Warren, professor in the Department of Religious Studies, hopes the Lilly Endowment mentor role with the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture will allow her to continue to inspire the next generation of scholars.

Events

(Re)Defining the Autoerotic in Medieval Religious Enclosure promotional image

(Re)Defining the Autoerotic in Medieval Religious Enclosure

Friday, March 28, 2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm
English-Philosophy Building
Michelle Sauer is the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor at the University of North Dakota and an expert on medieval women, sexuality and religiosity.
Webinar: Exploring Anne Frank & Difficult Life Stories promotional image

Webinar: Exploring Anne Frank & Difficult Life Stories

Friday, April 4, 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Virtual
Discover how Anne Frank’s story continues to shape conversations on empathy, education, and human rights in a compelling webinar featuring scholars from across the U.S.
Wide Lens: LISTENING promotional image

Wide Lens: LISTENING

Thursday, May 8, 2025 5:30pm
Voxman Music Building
In a world full of noise, we often try listening to something: conversations with colleagues and family, music in our headphones, videos blasting from our smartphones. We hear all these things daily, but what does it mean to truly listen? In what sense do devices also listen to us? What is the role of silence in listening? How has listening changed over time? Can political tensions be solved through “listening”? How is listening both an art and a science? This Wide Lens event brings together...
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