“Truth is the highest of virtues, but higher still is truthful living.” -Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib So goes one of Dr. David Fowler’s favorite quotes from the Sikh tradition, one of just a few religions he will be exploring with students this fall in his course, RELIG 202 – Introduction to World Religions: Eastern

In her opinion piece for the Huffington Post, affiliated Comparative Religion professor Radhika Govindrajan analyzes how the colonial narrative of “cruel” natives vs. “innocent” animals persists in modern-day Kerala.

Literature and the arts are powerful humanizing agents. They enable us, however briefly or partially, to hear the voices of strangers and perceive slices of the human experience beyond our limited selves and cultures. As such, one of the most fundamental things we can do to catalyze a more open society is proactively seek out

The University of Washington’s Race & Equity Initiative has created a list of resources for everyone who would like to gain a deeper understanding of historical and present-day manifestations of racism in the United States. It includes articles and websites on racial equity tools, Seattle social justice initiatives, and self-care tips. The list will be updated

Name: Eshan Dabak Status: 2nd-year MA, International Studies/Comparative Religion Research Foci: Hindu diaspora, American religious history, religious pluralism Next professional endeavor: Yale Law School Tell us a little bit about your background — what led you to the Comparative Religion MA program at the Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS)? I went to UT Austin

Jim Wellman, chair and professor of the comparative religion program at the Jackson School, co-authors “High on God: Mega-Churches and the Making of America,” a book that goes step-by-step through features of megachurch culture, including the presence of a charismatic leader and outreach projects, to deconstruct the success story of American megachurches. Read more about High on God.

In light of the public health advisories on social distancing, this event has been postponed. We hope to reschedule in Fall 2020. Please check back for updates. *** Join the Comparative Religion Program and Global Christian Studies in welcoming Dr. Todd M. Johnson for a lunchtime talk, as he introduces his research for the 3rd edition of the World

The unexpected popularity of a University of Washington course in Ge’ez — an ancient Ethiopic language still used in Christian and Jewish liturgies today — sparked the Horn of Africa Initiative, a collaboration between UW faculty, students, and local communities. Read the full story here, and learn more about the Initiative and its events.

Jackson School International Policy Institute Senior Postdoctoral Fellow Randy Thompson published an analysis on President Trump’s Syria reversal to appease his evangelical base.

Students interested in modern politics rarely study religion as well. James Wellman believes they should. Religion plays a critical role in politics, says Wellman, professor and chair of the UW Comparative Religion Program in the Jackson School of International Studies. “