Divinity Students Association

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DSA Clubs

The Divinity Students Association, in addition to sponsoring Divinity School-wide social events like the “4-to-8” and pub nights, funds a variety of student clubs based on academic interest. Each “Area of Concentration” has its own club, which focuses on topics related to that area. All students are invited to these clubs’ events, whether they are students in that particular area or a different area. In addition to these area clubs, students have organized other groups that reflect their interests.

Area Clubs

Biblical Students Association
The Biblical Students’ Association provides social events for students interested in biblical studies and sponsors Bible-related field trips, occasional lectures, and lunch discussions on topics related to the study of the Hebrew Bible or New Testament.

Ethics Club
The Ethics Club presents an opportunity for students personally or professionally interested in moral philosophy, theological ethics, or social ethics to enjoy community and dialogue. The club organizes faculty and student speakers who address topics of professional or moral concern; for example, one recent meeting featured Prof Elshtain presenting a paper on torture. The Ethics Club also sponsors an annual conference or lecture series featuring graduate students.

History of Christianity Club
The History of Christianity Club brings together students and faculty interested in historical studies of Christianity. Past events have included film screenings and discussions, such as the Passion of Christ.

History of Judaism Club
The History of Judaism Club brings together students and faculty interested in an ongoing interdisciplinary conversation about the history, culture, religion, literature, and philosophy of Judaism.

History of Religions Club
The History of Religions Club is devoted to fostering an intellectual community for students interested in HR and related fields. It provides a forum for students to share their work and also sponsors workshops with scholars of interest from the University of Chicago and other institutions.

Philosophy of Religions Club
The Philosophy of Religions Club provides a forum where both faculty and students can present current work and receive feedback. Past speakers have included professors Arnold Davidson, Chris Gamwell, and Francois Meltzer.

Religion and Literature Club
Each quarter, the Religion and Literature Club sponsors a dinner with speaker for students and faculty. These dinners are the official social events for the R&L program, but all interested students are welcome.

Theology Club
The Theology Club provides a forum where faculty and students can present their current work, in Theology and other areas. Every other week, the club sponsors lunch and discussion on an article or paper. The club invites students and faculty from all areas of the Divinity School and other Chicago universities and seminaries.

 

Student-Founded Clubs

American Religious History Workshop
The American Religious History Workshop sponsors lunch discussions once a week for the first five weeks of each quarter. Graduate students with current work in topics related to American religious history present papers, and students and faculty respond and give feedback. The club also sponsors speaking events featuring scholars from outside the University of Chicago.

Feminist Theories and the Study of Religion Club
The Feminist Theories and the Study of Religion Club is a DSA-sponsored group interested in exploring the ways in which theoretical and methodological resources available in feminist scholarship can play a more normative role in the graduate training of Divinity School students. Founded in the winter of 2004, we provide an occasion for students to present and receive feedback on original work, for students and faculty to talk together about questions of gender, sexuality, class, race, and relations of power as they pertain to the study of religion, and also our academic and professional responsibilities. We strive to develop resources and increase visibility for feminist scholarship in the Divinity School and the study of religion more generally. Some of our past activities have included student presentations on the history of feminist thought in religious studies, faculty panels where Divinity School faculty discussed their work, and also some social, community-building events such as a Pub Night. This spring, we offered a workshop organized around the theme of the politics of divine representation. This workshop, entitled "Divine Representation: Inversion, Appropriation, and Embodiment," featured papers from four divinity school students in various stages of their graduate work.

We welcome student input about events and speakers, submission of papers for the purpose of workshopping, and co-sponsorship opportunities with other other student groups at the Divinity School or the University at large.

For information about upcoming programming, to add your name to the listserve, or for any other inquiries, please contact Larisa Reznik at lreznik@uchicago.edu

Law and Religion Club
The Law and Religion Club invites University of Chicago students and faculty interested in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary conversations about the intersection of law and religion in human history, society, and culture.

Pedagogy and Professionalization Club
The Pedagogy and Professionalization Club seeks to encourage discussion about various issues pertaining to teaching and professionalization, such as navigating the job market and teaching undergraduates. Speakers include professors from University of Chicago and other institutions who have experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students of religion.

Religion and the Arts Club
The Religion and the Arts Club sponsors cultural events for students. In recent years, these have included an art exhibit and theater and film outings.

South Asia Club
The South Asia Club brings together students and faculty interested in the study of South Asian culture and history.