PhD in Study of Religion - Science and Technology Studies in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Religion Ph.D. program is structured as a six-year curriculum, equipping students with in-depth expertise in specific religious texts and their connections to modern themes and regional contexts. These include ethics, human rights, modernity, science and secularism, visual culture, media and technology, language, rhetoric and performance, embodiment and practice, as well as theoretical frameworks. Graduates develop both qualitative and quantitative research skills essential for academic careers in religious studies. Our program provides dual training: rigorous textual study within a chosen tradition and theoretical preparation to situate that tradition within contemporary and regional debates. We specialize in three key areas: American religious cultures, ancient Mediterranean religions, and Asian religions, with opportunities for comparative regional study. Students refine their research through thematic concentrations such as Ethics and Human Rights, Modernity and Secularism, Media and Visual Culture, Language and Performance, Embodied Practices, or Theoretical Approaches. This framework fosters innovative scholarship that advances the field's academic and public discourse.

The Designated Emphasis in Science and Technology Studies (STS) allows PhD candidates to complement their research with interdisciplinary STS methodologies. Open to all qualified doctoral students, it particularly benefits those examining science-technology-society dynamics. Participants gain from STS case studies and its emphasis on how scientific practices, technological dissemination, and societal impacts are deeply interconnected. The flexible curriculum draws from multiple disciplines, enabling students to broaden their methodological toolkit and develop interdisciplinary expertise. DE participants join a vibrant STS community, attending colloquia and the annual summer retreat, while engaging with diverse scholarly perspectives on campus.