PhD in Religious Studies - Material and Visual Culture in Philadelphia United States | University of Pennsylvania

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania stands out among North American institutions for its emphasis on exploring connections between religion and material/visual culture. Graduate candidates in this program examine how religious identity, practices, and communities engage with material and visual elements as fundamental aspects rather than peripheral outcomes. This encompasses specialized research into manuscript studies and historical printing techniques. Penn's Graduate Group in Religious Studies integrates diverse scholarly perspectives, offering expertise not only in specific regions and religious traditions but also in methodological approaches. These include critical examination of religious categorization, material culture analysis, studies spanning ancient manuscripts to modern media, and investigations of religion's intersection with modernity, science, politics, gender, and race. Instead of rigid academic tracks, we promote interdisciplinary combinations that equip students for academic careers while fostering versatile research and communication abilities valuable across professional fields. Our primary research domains, presented alphabetically, comprise: