Religious Studies

The search for meaning

During the course Living Deliberately: Monks, Saints, and the Contemplative Life, taught by Justin McDaniel of the School of Arts & Sciences, students experiment with ascetic practices.

Kristina García

Faith in public life 

In a conversation sponsored by the School of Social Policy & Practice, Ben Jealous discussed religion’s potential to transform society with Charles ‘Chaz’ Howard and David Saperstein.

Kristina García



Media Contact


In the News


The New York Times

What college students need is a taste of the monk’s life

Justin McDaniel of the School of Arts & Sciences is challenging his students to adopt monastic traditions in order to rethink the purpose of education.

FULL STORY →



NPR

The ReAwaken America tours unites conservative Christians and conspiracy theorists

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences says that the ReAwaken movement represents a potent mix of religion, election denial, and anti-government conspiracy theory that the Republican party has largely embraced.

FULL STORY →



Philadelphia Inquirer

Can learning about ghosts help us cope with pandemic losses? This Penn professor says yes

In a Q&A, Justin McDaniel of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses how the pandemic has changed the way people think about ghost stories and the afterlife.

FULL STORY →



The Washington Post

Michael Flynn’s ReAwaken roadshow recruits ‘Army of God’

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Michael Flynn’s “spiritual warfare” rhetoric in support of Christian nationalism is dangerous.

FULL STORY →



USA Today

How protests in Iran over Mahsa Amini’s death ‘forever moved the debate’ over women’s rights

Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses Iran’s long history of mandating what women can wear and the power employed by its “morality police.”

FULL STORY →



U.S. News & World Report

Iranian woman push back against compulsory hijab

Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Iranian society still struggles with how much of a role religion has played in its pre- and post-revolutionary eras.

FULL STORY →