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Department ofReligious Studies

Stories

  • Beatification of Oscar Romero

    Ana María Pineda, R.S.M. attended the beatification of Oscar Romero last month. Here are her reflections on that momentous event

    The long awaited beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador took place on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

  • Fr. Salvatore A. Tassone, S.J. Retires

    Salvatore A. Tassone, S.J. came to Santa Clara in 1968 and has taught in the department ever since—47 years! This year, he is retiring from his position as Senior Lecturer.

  • Welcome Roberto Mata

    Dr. Mata specializes in the book of Revelation and its interconnection with a range of ancient topics such as imperial cults, martyrdom, and voluntary associations.

  • AIMES Banquet

    On May 28, a banquet and reception were held in honor of students enrolled in AIMES (SCU’s interdisciplinary program in Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies).

  • Sister Helen Prejean Visit

    On April 13, Sr. Helen Prejean visited the department's "Catholic Social Thought" section during the course of her stay for the second annual Dean's Leadership Colloquium.

  • 2015 Spring Reception

    The Religious Studies Department gathered in Adobe Lodge for the annual spring reception on Wednesday, May 20.

  • 2015 Award Recipients

    We would like to honor and acknowledge those religious studies majors and minors who have earned the high regard of the department and the University.

  • Celebrating Teilhard de Chardin

    Pioneer in the Dialogue between Religion and Science, Three Free Public Lectures by Dr. Ursula King (University of Bristol, UK)

  • Homeless Census 2015

    Professor Riley volunteers his time gathering data on the homeless in Silicon Valley

  • ISIS Panel

    Religious Studies and Modern Languages & Literatures co-sponsor well attended talk.

  • David Pleins' New Book

    Prof. David Pleins has recently published a new book entitled "In Praise of Darwin: George John Romanes and the Evolution of a Darwinian Believer".

  • Spider in a Tree

    Exploring the First Great Awakening and its greatest apologist and theologian, Jonathan Edwards, Spider in a Tree touches on religion and slavery and the friction between the roughness of everyday 18th-century life and the life of the spirit.

  • Father Reites and the Solar Decathlon 2013 Team

    Religious Studies professor Jim Reites, S.J. has once again been working with the SCU's Solar Decathalon team and was featured on KNTV’s "Bay Area Proud" segment for his work with engineering students including the Solar Decathlon Team.

  • Introducing Mark Fusco, S.J.

    In Fall 2017, Rev. Mark P. Fusco, SJ will start as an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. Although new to this position, Fusco will not be new to the Department of Religious Studies, as he is currently teaching and doing a post-doctoral fellowship at Santa Clara University.

  • Welcome New Faculty

    We are fortunate to have two scholars who recently received doctorates in theology join our faculty this year: Dr. Pearl Barros and Dr. Lynn Jencks.

  • Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley

    Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley is the Director of the Bannan Institutes and Adjunct Lecturer in Religious Studies at Santa Clara University.

  • New book by David Pleins

    Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary by Conceptual Categories: A Student's Guide to the Nouns in the Old Testament

  • Making the Spiritual Path by Walking It

    A recent SCU graduate (2018) and RS Minor Connor Holttum went on a trek along the Pacific Northwest Trail after graduating in the spring, and has an written an article on the spiritual impact of this experience.

  • Religion and Immigration

    Teresia Hinga and Roberto Mata discuss topics ranging from the immigration crisis and border control to the global migration of women of color seeking a new life outside their countries of origin

  • When the Saints Go Marching In

    LDS Mormons, ex-FLDS, Rival Polygamist Sects, and Gentiles Descend on Short Creek...Polygamy Tourism or Community Healing?

  • Faculty Updates Spring 2020

    Catch up with David DeCosse, David Gray, Lynn Hillberg, Margaret McLean, Joe Morris and what's happening in GPPM, Michelle Mueller, Thao Nguyen, S.J., Eugene Schlesinger, and Sally Vance-Trembath

  • In Memoriam

    In March, the Religious Studies Department lost two faculty members, both of whom played influential roles in the department, across the University, and in the wider worlds of Catholic theology and Religious Studies.

  • Introducting New Faculty

    This quarter, we are excited to welcome five new faculty members in the Religious Studies Department.

  • In Memoriam: Denise Lardner Carmody

    Denise Carmody (December 10, 1935 - March 15, 2023) was a pioneer in female leadership at Santa Clara University, where she served in various capacities for nearly 30 years.

  • In Memoriam: Teresia Mbari Hinga

    Teresia Hinga (January 25, 1955 - March 31, 2023) was a dedicated professor of religion and a welcoming friend, mentor, and colleague who taught at Santa Clara University for nearly 20 years.

  • Faculty Updates Fall 2021

    Updates from Teresia Hinga, Sarita Tamayo-Moraga, Philip Boo Riley, Paul Schutz, C. Vanessa White, David Pinault, David DeCosse, Daniel Morgan, Ana Maria Pineda, and Gene Schlesinger

  • Faculty Updates Fall 2020

    Catch up with Teresia Hinga, Jaime Wright, Joe Morris (pictured), GPPM, Gene Schlesinger, Frederick Parrella, Katia Moles, Bill Dohar, David DeCosse

  • Cameron Heon '20

    Completed a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and is heading to graduate school

  • David Bibee '13

    Completed his Master of Divinity at Princeton and is Pursuing Ordination as a Presbyterian Minister

  • June 2021: Post-It scribblings

    Found by SCU custodial staff in the cleared-out drawer of an empty desk in a vacated office in Kenna Hall; transcribed as a historical curiosity.

  • Questioning Tradition

    Students & RS faculty gathered to discuss the meaning of tradition in Christianity, exploring what ways it has the capacity for change.

  • Seeking Unity Amid Division

    Professors Karen Peterson-Iyer and Paul Schutz lead a conversation on interdenominational relations & Christian tradition.

  • Faculty Updates Spring 2021

    Updates from David DeCosse, Janet Giddings, David Gray, Roberto Mata (pictured), Katia Moles, Michelle Mueller, David Pinault, and Sarah Robinson

  • Kelby Uebelhor '21

    Triple major in Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Management reflects on his time at SCU.

  • Reflections of Mary

    Professor Pearl Barros considers the “dangerous memory of Mary” in a sermon for Catholic Women Preach, as we approach the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

  • Religion and Politics

    Bjørn Thyrring '20 will be heading to Harvard Divinity School to pursue a master's degree in theological studies in the Fall.

  • New Peace Corps Volunteer, Nick Nagy

    Religious Studies/Political Science major Nick Nagy ‘19 is currently a volunteer for the Peace Corps in Zambia. This is the update he has shared with us.

  • Clovis Karam

    New faculty in Semitic & Islamic Studies: Religions, Mythologies, Languages, Philosophies & Cultures

  • Faculty Updates Fall 2019

    Updates from David Gray, Eugene R. Schlesinger, Fred Parrella, Michelle Mueller, Thao Nguyen S.J., Roberto Mata, Jaime Wright and Elizabeth Drescher, and Clovis Karam

  • I Sil Yoon

    New faculty in Christian Ethics and Theological Ethics of Migration

  • Travis Stevens

    New faculty in History of Christian Thought, Mystical Theology, Gender and Sexuality