The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa formally became a department in 1927, In 2017, we celebrated out 95th anniversary.
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The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa formally became a department in 1927, the first Department of Religious Studies at a public university in the US. Please check our website and befriend us on Facebook for information and news about the department and featured upcoming events.

The time has come to say goodbye. It is my honor to have been a part of this illustrious Department's 100 year history. ...
06/04/2026

The time has come to say goodbye. It is my honor to have been a part of this illustrious Department's 100 year history. Thank you for everything.

Please join us in congratulation Dr. Hasan Degerli, who successfully defended his thesis yesterday! His thesis, “Transfo...
05/14/2026

Please join us in congratulation Dr. Hasan Degerli, who successfully defended his thesis yesterday!

His thesis, “Transforming Victory: The Spread of the Cult of the Soldier Martyrs in Late Antique Asia Minor and Egypt,” included the creation of a digital resource that maps textual and material artifacts in order to investigate the influence of these Roman soldiers-turned-martyrs on the Christian communities they interacted with 📍🗺️✝️🗡️

Dr. Degerli will be joining Bingöl University in Turkiye as an Assistant Professor in the History of Religions this fall.

Pictured below: Drs. Cargill, Dilley, Degerli, Cates, and Schlütter after the successful defense

Students, alumni, and friends are invited to join us in celebrating Maureen and her retirement this Thursday from 4:00-6...
05/04/2026

Students, alumni, and friends are invited to join us in celebrating Maureen and her retirement this Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm! We'll be partying on the third floor of Gilmore Hall and enjoying great company, hors d'oeuvres, and cake 💛🖤

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Carlos Ruiz Martinez on the successful defense of his dissertation, "Sanctuary, She...
04/24/2026

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Carlos Ruiz Martinez on the successful defense of his dissertation, "Sanctuary, Shelters, and the State: Religion and Immigration Enforcement in the United States."

Dr. Ruiz Martinez, we are so proud of your timely and innovative research and we are excited to see how you grow during your time as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Danforth Center for Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis! 🖤💛

Pictured below: Dr. Paul Dilley, Dr. Lina-Maria Murillo, Dr. Carlos Ruiz Martinez, and Dr. Jenna Supp-Montgomerie after the successful defense

Join us on April 28th for our next Divine Dialogues event: a screening and discussion of race and religion in Ryan Coogl...
04/13/2026

Join us on April 28th for our next Divine Dialogues event: a screening and discussion of race and religion in Ryan Coogler's 2025 movie Sinners.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa Classics Department at The University of Iowa University of Iowa Graduate & Professional Student Government

FAITH ON THE PLATE: RESCHEDULED We had to cancel last week's meeting, so we will be holding our next meeting tomorrow, A...
04/07/2026

FAITH ON THE PLATE: RESCHEDULED

We had to cancel last week's meeting, so we will be holding our next meeting tomorrow, April 8th, on the third floor of Gilmore Hall from 5-7pm

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa Classics Department at The University of Iowa University of Iowa Center for Language and Culture Learning

Looking for a summer course? Dr. Brandon Dean is offering his exciting Medieval Religion and Culture course and it's onl...
03/30/2026

Looking for a summer course? Dr. Brandon Dean is offering his exciting Medieval Religion and Culture course and it's only six weeks long, so you can take a course and still have your Summer break 🖤💛

We'd like to extend our deep appreciation for your sharing your memories and offering your support during our One Day fo...
03/26/2026

We'd like to extend our deep appreciation for your sharing your memories and offering your support during our One Day for Iowa campaign.

Professor Holstein's impact on our students and our program cannot be overstated, and your continued support for his legacy has its own amazing impact 🖤💛

Jay Holstein dedicated his teaching to undergraduates and believed our democracy depends upon an educated citizenry, peo...
03/25/2026

Jay Holstein dedicated his teaching to undergraduates and believed our democracy depends upon an educated citizenry, people who will embrace the challenge to look deeply into what motivates us and who believe in the complexity of other human beings...who earnestly seek to see the heart of things." from "An Unforgettable Voice: Remembering Professor Jay Holstein" by his close friend and former wife, Ellen S. Holstein.

Donate today to the Professor Jay Holstein Scholarship Legacy Fund: https://1dayforiowa.org/religion26

All gifts to the Professor Jay Holstein Scholarship Legacy Fund will be matched up to $4,000, thanks to Joe Russo!

Read Ellen's full article in the Perspectives Newsletter on our website under "About"-"News"-"Perspectives Newsletter"

We want to hear YOUR stories 👀👂In 2020, Holstein was honored for 50 years of teaching with the virtual event Jay Holstei...
03/25/2026

We want to hear YOUR stories 👀👂

In 2020, Holstein was honored for 50 years of teaching with the virtual event Jay Holstein: A Golden Legacy of Learning. Many of our faculty, students, and staff shared their memories on camera for the event, and many more have shared their stories in the comments section of the recording posted to YouTube.

Use this link to support his continuing legacy through the Professor Jay Holstein Scholarship Legacy Fund: https://1dayforiowa.org/religion26

All gifts to the Professor Jay Holstein Scholarship Legacy Fund will be matched up to $4,000, thanks to Joe Russo!

Address

314 Gilmore Hall
Iowa City, IA
52242

Telephone

(319) 335-2164

Website

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