Recent CORH graduate Angela Stieber talks about her experience doing a Master's in Religious Studies at Rice University. We cover what it is like to go to graduate school, feminist approaches to religious studies, gnosticism and her thesis on reception theory and the story of Eve in the Bible.

How can studying Religion help you navigate our diverse and complex society?  A panel of future, current and former students discuss how learning about the religions of the world helps to understand a wide range of issues in society today. Topics covered include religion and psychology, healthcare, the prison system, sexuality, business and many more. Join Sarah Gagnebin, Alexandra Kriz, Morgana Gorre-Clancy,   Esther Stearns and Mike Jimenez as they discuss these important topics. The event was co-hosted by California State University, Chico and American River College. 

Recent Humanities Graduate Yuliana Calvillo Solis speaks to us from Paris where she is pursuing a Master's Degree in Diplomacy and International Law at the American University. We talk about her thesis work at CSU Chico analyzing medieval French and Spanish epic poems that deal with the relations between Christians and Muslims. Then we cover International Law and examine the rights of refugees in light of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. What exactly is involved in the process of seeking asylum? What obligations do the receiving countries have under the relevant conventions? 

We spoke with Spencer McNairn who graduated from the Religious Studies program at CSU, Chico in 2021. He is now a student at Syracuse University in New York working on his Master's degree in the esteemed International Relations program there. We talk about the role of religion in International affairs, and explore ways in which it can both bring people together but also create rifts. We look at the role of religion in life today around the globe, explore the importance of diversity, and talk about Spencer's experiences travelling in Asia and Latin America.  

We stopped by the Phoenix Nest Center in Chico to speak with our recent Religious Studies graduate Alexandra Kriz about her fascinating work promoting healing through non-traditional therapies. The Phoenix Nest is the first center in Chico to use Ketamine, a commonly used anesthetic that in certain doses leads to psychedelic experiences that have helped many people to work through the most difficult mental health challenges that they face. Alex talks about the history of this kind of treatment, the scientific support for its efficacy, her own spiritual journey and the importance of opening oneself to new possibilities.     

Dr. Jason Clower talks with us about the key role of Fire in the Vedic rituals and imagery of Ancient India and we examine how Buddhists refigured that central metaphor. We then think about the role of Fire in China and look at the tradition of self-immolation that has been part of Buddhist practice in the region for some time, culminating with the Monks who have burned themselves in Tibet recently to protest Chinese policies there. 

Dr. Sarah Pike, who researches New Religious Movements and Environmental Activism, talks to us about Burning Man, a week long Art, Creativity and Self-Expression Festival that takes place each year in the Nevada desert and culminates in the burning of a human effigy that many attendees see as a deeply spiritual experience. We talk about the roots of the festival, what it means to people, and how it updates some ancient rituals that have been part of the human experience since time immemorial.  

In August 2021, the United States left Afghanistan after twenty years of conflict and nation building only to see the fledgling democracy fall into the hands of the Taliban. I look in detail at this geo-political conflagration with Dr. Yousefi and examine the roots of Islamism and its effects on the shape of the modern Islamic world. We also delve into the history of Afghanistan, the complicated ethnic makeup of the region, and the mistakes that have been made by the occupying powers over the years.

Philosopher Dr. Randy Larsen, who fled the Camp Fire that devastated Paradise in 2018, talks to us about some Native American attitudes towards the Environment. We discuss how they have traditionally dealt with fire, and examine their conceptions of the relationship between humans and the natural world. Dr. Larsen also discusses the life of naturalist and preservationist John Muir and suggests ways that his insights are relevant to us today.

Dr. Jason Clower joins us to discuss the history and theory of social justice in Asia and in particular China. We look at Confucian ideas of Human Rights, differences in conceptions of the just society in China and India, racism in Modern China and other parts of Asia, and the history of slavery in the region.