Students
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 provides a forum for intellectual and social exchange to students and faculty interested in the study of moral problems from various disciplines. To this effect, the club sponsors conferences, reading groups, faculty and student papers, as well as pub nights and dinners. If you wish to subscribe to the email list server, please write to Nissy Abraham at nissya@uchicago.edu.
History of Christianity Club
Each year, the History of Christianity Club sponsors one or two guest speakers and organizes one social gathering for all area faculty and students, as well as students interested in pursuing work in HC. The club also works to notify students of relevant events both on campus and in the greater Chicago area. If you would like more information about the History of Christianity Club, please email Pippa Koch at philippa@uchicago.edu.
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. For more information please contact Drew Durdin at adurdin@uchicago.edu or Alex Rocklin at arocklin@uchicago.edu.
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
Theology Club provides a forum for discussing current theological research, for building relationships between students and faculty, and for furthering the pursuit of theological study. The club invites students and faculty from all areas of the Divinity School and university to participate in our discussions and dinners. For more information, please contact Tim Hiller at timothyhiller@uchicago.edu or Jeff Fowler at jif@uchicago.edu.
Student-Founded Clubs
Buddhist Studies Club
The Buddhist Studies Club is an umbrella group that brings together faculty and students interested in the study of Buddhism from a variety of disciplines, including history of religions, philosophy of religions, and art history, among others. The Club organizes 4-6 faculty lectures each year, as well as faculty-student panels and student-only panels, in which students present their work to and receive feedback from other students. For more information, please contact Joy Brennan at jcbrennan@uchicago.edu or Alex Hsu at hsua@uchicago.edu.
Feminist Theories and the Study of Religion Group
The Feminist Theories and the Study of Religion Group 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.
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 aims to create a forum for thoughtful discussion about law and religion – about how they are connected, and why they are often divided – and to promote dialogue between the students of these two schools at the University of Chicago. In particular, this organization aims to facilitate the exchange of information across artificial, academic boundaries and to enhance each member’s understanding of his or her own discipline through interaction with the other. For more information, please contact Nora Kahn at norakahn@uchicago.edu.
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.
Beatitudes Society
Today in America, the widespread perception of Christianity -- one centered in nationalism, materialism and intolerance -- bears little resemblance to the life and teachings of Jesus, particularly as they concern justice, compassion, and peacemaking. To counter that, The Beatitudes Society develops and sustains a national network of emerging Christian leaders who: Advocate for justice, compassion and peace; Reclaim a Christianity that welcomes all people, especially those at the margins; Articulate a Christianity that dares to speak and act for our fragile planet and our most vulnerable citizens. For more information about the Beatitudes Society, please contact Elsa Marty at elsajmarty@uchicago.edu.
Greening the Div School
At a Divinity School luncheon, several of us students were shocked when we realized the only option for drinking coffee was a styrofoam cup. After lamenting the wastefulness of this practice, we gathered together to discuss ways to first change this and second to mobilize the community into 'greening' our school. We have had much success: in our school lunches, more people are bringing their own mugs; further, by working with the sustainability council, we have begun composting our food waste from our events.
We are a group open to all, seeking to find ways to reduce our consumption at the Divinity School through education, providing logistical/informational support, and through social norm-ing in our advertising. If you are interested in getting involved with the Greening the Divinity School, please contact Elsa Marty at elsajmarty@uchicago.edu or Michael Le Chevallier at lechevallier@uchicago.edu.
