Grad schools where they focus on marxism and religion?

[intheflesh]

Hello everyone. I am searching for grad schools in US, Canada, and continental Europe (especially Germany and the Netherlands). I am mainly interested in theoretical debates on religion, politics and ideology (comprising topics on enlightenment philosophy and critical theory) with a tendency to marxist perspective. Can anyone reccomend me schools, departments and-or proffessors focusing on marxism and religion? I must note that I'm not interested in literary criticism and related departments.

Edited November 29, 2013 by intheflesh

[intheflesh]

I've just noticed that I didn't make mention of the degree, I will apply for a Phd.

[Body Politics]

Sounds like something you could get away with in the joint program at University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO. I'd contact Ted Vial and ask him about it.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Body Politics

[intheflesh]

Thank you for your interest. I've taken a glance at the department you mentioned and it seems a suitable place for what I am looking for. Please let me know about Prof. Vial's reply. There is another issue by the way, I have a BA degree in engineering and an MA in Sociology. Do you think it is a disadvantage or even worse an impassable barrier for phd admissions to religious studies? My MA thesis is related to the mentioned topics though. 

 

p.s I am open to alternative suggestions cos you know, considering the risk of a refusal, I must raise my chances for placement.

[Seeking]

I guess most Sociology departments would have a political-religious sociologist who would like to advise that kind of research. Applying to Sociology would also make your application stronger since you have a Masters in Sociology.

[Body Politics]

Thank you for your interest. I've taken a glance at the department you mentioned and it seems a suitable place for what I am looking for. Please let me know about Prof. Vial's reply. There is another issue by the way, I have a BA degree in engineering and an MA in Sociology. Do you think it is a disadvantage or even worse an impassable barrier for phd admissions to religious studies? My MA thesis is related to the mentioned topics though. 

 

p.s I am open to alternative suggestions cos you know, considering the risk of a refusal, I must raise my chances for placement.

I'm sorry, I meant "If I were you, I would ask Vial about it."

So, you should email him.

[marXian]

To echo a bit of what Body Politics has already said, you'd be able to do work on religion/critical theory/Marxism in an interdisciplinary context, meaning either a joint degree program or a religious studies or sociology department at a university with strong interdisciplinary opportunities. I work, more or less, in the area you describe within a religious studies department (Northwestern), only I do theology specifically. "Critical theory" can obviously mean many things, but in the way you're using it in conjunction with marxism and Enlightenment philosophy, I assume you mean the Frankfurt School. That said, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by not being interested in "literary criticism." The reality is that most of the people who are experts in critical theory (i.e. Frankfurt School) are people in literature departments, either English, comp lit., German, French, etc. There are folks in philosophy departments who this sort of work too, but my point is that even if you're in a religious studies or sociology department at a university, there will be a fair amount of crossover with folks utilizing the same theory for literary criticism.

 

Northwestern has two interdisciplinary certificate programs that might be of interest to you:

 

One in critical theory: http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/academics/academic-programs/cluster-certificate/humanities/critical-theory/index.html

 

One in "religion and global politics": http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/academics/academic-programs/certificate/religion-and-global-politics/index.html

 

You would participate in one or both of these as part of your normal coursework toward a Ph.D in religious studies, sociology, or whatever department seemed to suit you the best. As far as religious studies goes, Sylvester Johnson might be a person of interest. He does African American religion, and religion and politics more broadly.

 

Also note that many sociology departments (at least in the US) are not all that interested in critical theory, marxism, etc. That's maybe a bit of a generalization, but my experience has been that social scientists (sociologists, anthropologists, etc.) typically favor more "scientific" methods in their work especially as it regards religion. But if you did work on religion in your sociology degree, you shouldn't have a problem getting into a religious studies department assuming everything else is in order.

 

Feel free to send me a private message if you have more specific questions!

[Kuriakos]

Sheffield might work if the UK is an option. 

[intheflesh]

Thank you everyone for your interest. I'll consider Denver and Sheffield but it seems to me that Northwestern is the most suitable place for what I am looking for. I was not aware of NW's certificate programs which look quite an opportunity to obtain the interdisciplinary study process I demand. 

 

Marxian, I will write you soon and ask about some important details, I hope not to occupy your time much. Thanks again.