PERSPECTIVES on Religion Fall 2013 • Volume 20

PERSPECTIVES On Religion Fall 2013 • Volume 20

Participating in the Azekah Excavation: Inside this issue: Summer 2013 New Lecturer Leah DeGrazia p. 3 Tel Azekah, nestled in the Judean lowlands, is a border city located between the ancient rival territories known Revised as Philistia and Judah. Inhabited from the Early Bronze Undergraduate Age to the Byzantine era, Azekah’s location exposed it Major to a rich history, including many episodes of conflict, p. 4 destruction, and reconstruction. Tel Azekah is best known as the protective border city to ancient Jerusalem, con- Faculty quered and destroyed by the Assyrian king Sennacherib Perspectives during his campaign of annihilation against Israel and pp. 6-8 Judah. Furthermore, according to the Biblical account, the valley surrounding Azekah is said to be the location From the of the legendary battle between David and Goliath, a Director’s Chair story comparable to the religious, political, and cultural photos, and making sure the section walls of each square p. 12 strife that continues to dominate the region. were straight and clean. I was part of the team digging in the area called South 1. Area S1 is located on the top I participated in the Lautenschläger Azekah Excavation of the tel and has structures dating from the Iron, Late for six weeks this summer under the direction of dig Bronze, and Early Bronze periods. In addition to uncov- supervisors Oded Lipschits and Yuval Gadot and Iowa ering architectural structures, in S1 we also discovered supervisors Professors Robert Cargill and Jordan Smith. pottery, coins, Egyptian-style scarabs, an arrowhead, part Sunday through Thursday mornings we woke up at 3:45 of a clay tabun oven, and a ritualistic donkey burial site. a.m., bussed to Tel Azekah from our camp at Nes Harim, I had supervisors in S1 who taught me the basics of dig- and dug from 5 a.m.-1 p.m. with brief breaks for coffee, ging (pick-axing, shoveling, maintaining sections, bucket breakfast, and popsicles. After we began each morning lines, dusting, etc.) as well as the administrative side of by carrying our equipment up the hill as the sun rose, we archaeology such as opening loci, developing top plans, then set up sunshades and performed our daily duties. participating in pottery reading, and drawing sections. Tasks varied from person to person but would include pick-axing top soil (my personal favorite), shoveling, My time spent at the dig was a positive and moving hauling rocks, cleaning the area around the site, disman- educational experience. Though I was initially nervous tling architecture and baulks, dusting in preparation for about devoting six weeks of my summer to an archaeo-

continued on page 2 2 • Department of Religious Studies

Azekah Excavation (cont’d.)

logical project, especially one that in history reflects a period of suffering required waking up well before sun- and ruination. rise to participate in intensive and dirty manual labor in a hot desert, I We spent only five days out of the grew to love the routine. The work week digging at Azekah. The other was rewarding and the company two days were spent traveling to a stimulating and diverse. In my dig variety of religious and archaeologi- area alone we had participants from cal sites throughout Israel and Jordan. Tennessee, New York, Toronto, Al- We visited such sites as Jerusalem, berta, Australia, Samoa, Germany, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Masada, Brazil, South Africa, Slovakia, and Wadi Rum, Petra, the Galilee, Akko, the Czech Republic. and Jaffa. These educational weekend tours led by Professor Cargill allowed For me, the most gratifying parts of me to gain a deeper appreciation for the dig were the finds. It is a powerful the sacred sites I have devoted much experience to uncover relics – from time to studying over the past two jars and bowls to beads and scarabs. years. For example, beyond what Even the most unassuming of these could be learned in a classroom, buried and forgotten artifacts have encountering the immensity of the stories to tell about the people that Western Wall in Jerusalem intensi- Palestine today where sectarian inhabited the Judean lowlands over fied my understanding of its spiritual strife still continues. The dig in itself two thousand years ago, and having significance as the most holy site in was rewarding because of the work the chance to gain an understanding Judaism. we did to uncover the story of Tel of the histories of these communi- Azekah. The opportunity to witness ties is moving. Layers of destruction Everywhere we traveled I always felt the conflict between peoples in the preserve in the same stratum the safe and was grateful for the oppor- Holy Land was an unsettling but highest proportion of finds such tunity to experience the beauty of a transformative experience. And I as artifacts, pottery, architecture, region abundant with cultures and will always find meaningful and useful and bones. Although uncovering a religious narratives. The weekend the lessons learned, people met, and destruction layer is informative, it is tours also revealed to me a parallel stories discovered. nevertheless sobering to understand between the history of Azekah and that the preservation of this moment the broader region of Israel and

Space Matters

This summer the department began sprucing up the third floor of Gilmore Hall. We applied a fresh coat of paint, updated our photo gallery, installed two bookcases that feature faculty-student-alumni books, and reupholstered the furniture. In the center of the atrium, we installed a 70” digital screen that is now active all day. The department uses this screen to advertise our events, course offerings, publications, awards, and so on. The screen is also used for Pow- erPoint presentations and for Undergraduate Movie Nights, which are hosted by members of our Religion Graduate Student Organization. We hope you will stop by Gilmore Hall to see the new digs when you have an opportunity. It is a great place to relax, read, meet up with friends, and think. The University of Iowa • 3

New Lecturer in Religious Studies, Dr. Robert Gerstmyer

the national political scene. As around 1610, during which Galileo recently as 1960, during the presi- Galilei came into conflict with the dential campaign of then-Senator Catholic Church over his support John F. Kennedy, Kennedy spoke of Copernican astronomy and his on multiple occasions to the worry opposition to geocentrism (the voiced by the media, that his view that the sun orbits around ultimate loyalty would be in ques- the earth). Following mounting tion if he, a Roman Catholic, were controversy over both theology to become US president. Well- and astronomy, the Roman Inquisi- intentioned suggestions were made tion found Galileo “gravely suspect that Senator Kennedy should run of heresy.” The Scriptural basis for as the Vice-Presidential candidate, the Church’s rejection of geocen- to help “ease the country’s transi- trism was straightforward. Various tion” to the idea of a Catholic verses from the Hebrew Bible or president. Approximately forty Christian Old Testament were years later, in the Republican used to prove the clear view of Robert (Bob) Gerstmyer became a Candidates debate in Des Moines, the Bible: the earth was fixed and part-time Lecturer for the Depart- then-Governor George W. Bush the sun moved around the earth. ment of Religious Studies in the referred to Jesus Christ as his favor- Given the then-current context Spring of 2013. He holds a PhD ite philosopher. These are but two of the Protestant Reformation, from Duke University, a ThM from examples of the development of church officials were understand- Princeton Theological Seminary, religious rhetoric in US politics— ably more concerned than ever an M Div from Fuller Theologi- a development that extends into about the proper interpretation cal Seminary, and a BS from MIT. the presidencies of Jimmy Carter, of Christian Scriptures. Galileo Below, Bob shares some of his Ronald Reagan, and beyond. was able to point to St Augustine’s background and ideas for two of interpretation of Scripture in his the courses he has developed. The course covers a span of almost defense. two-and-a-half centuries, begin- “My undergraduate major was ning with the early founders and Moving ahead about two hundred in engineering, but I decided to ending with the presidency of years, we find striking similari- pursue graduate work in Religious Barack Obama. In addition to ties in the Church’s response to Studies, eventually earning my examining religious language Charles Darwin and the theory of doctorate from Duke. In addition in the speeches and writings of evolution. Again, questions are to spending a lot of time during political figures, it examines media raised about whether the Bible’s graduate school in the library, I responses to the religious views meaning is set for all time or open spent time watching and enjoying of political leaders, ranging from to re-interpretation over time. In Duke basketball. I’m looking for- editorials that branded Thomas Jef- light of the scientific revolution, ward to following Iowa basketball, ferson an atheist in the election of new questions are raised about especially with last year’s men’s 1800, to newspaper cartoons dur- what it means to be human. These team playing in the finals of the ing the election of 1928 that fueled questions are refined through the NIT tournament and the women’s anti-Catholic sentiment against advancement of the neurosciences, team receiving an invitation to the presidential candidate Al Smith, which has led to a consideration of NCAA tournament. Prior to mov- to internet web postings on the re- what it could mean to talk about ing to Iowa City, my family lived in ligious views of Presidents George religious dimensions of the human Seattle, Washington. Iowa is the W. Bush and Barack Obama. being or a ‘soul.’” furthest from the ocean that I’ve ever lived. In the spring semester, I will teach The department welcomes Bob a course entitled “Science and and his family to Iowa. We are es- During the fall semester I taught a Christianity: Conflicts and Con- pecially excited about the connec- class entitled “Religious Rhetoric: versations.” We will begin with tions he will help us to strengthen God and US Politics.” Religious the Galileo Affair, which involves with political science and the rhetoric is a familiar feature of a sequence of events, beginning natural sciences. 4 • Department of Religious Studies

Fall 2013 Events Sponsored Religious Studies Announces or Co-Sponsored by Revised Undergraduate Major

Religious Studies The Department of Religious studies has completed the most significant revision of our undergraduate Mustafa Bayoumi, “Islamophobia” (co-sponsored with major in over 20 years. We hope to meet the needs of Intellectual Dialogue Society) September 19 students who participate every day in virtual commu- nities that are potentially global in scope and influ- Kayla Wheeler, graduate student, department Colloqui- ence. um, “Conducting Virtual Office Hours” September 24 In place of a three-tiered model based on the divisions *Religion Literature and the Arts Conference: “Sacri- of eastern, western, and indigenous religions, the new fice, Terror, and the Good” (co-sponsored by Depart- major approaches religious movements and social ments of English and International Programs) Septem- issues in ways that invite cross-traditional, trans- ber 26-28 national, and multi-disciplinary reflection. Because In conjunction with the RLA conference: Sonia Sands religion permeates nearly every aspect of human life, Lecture by Mark Bernat, September 26; and Ida Beam the Major in Religious Studies encourages students to Lecture by Regina Schwartz September 27 integrate the study of religion with their other interests, such as science and medicine, psychology, digital Hal Roth, “Classical Daoist Meditation and the Huai- media, history, or law. nanzi” (co-sponsored with Center for Asian and Pacific Studies) October 1 The major has two specific course requirements—two book-ends, if you will. “Activism, Memorial, and Digital Collaboration” (co- sponsored with American Studies) October 11 The first course, “Religions in a Global Context,” concerns the influences that religions have on inter- Stephen Ramsay, four events during Open Access national events. These influences are profound and Week (co-sponsored with University Libraries and the undeniable; they are also easy to misconstrue. Our Div. of World Languages & Cultures) October 21-22 students need to understand religions if they are to understand their world. Oscar Ranzo, Visiting Fellow at Iowa’s International Writing Program for departmental colloquium on his The second required course, the “Senior Seminar,” creative writing and work as a coordinator of the Child encourages students to integrate and share with each Sacrifice Prevention Program, October 22 other the knowledge they have acquired through the study of religion. This course has the added benefit of Steven Heine, “Sacred High City, Sacred Low City: helping our students to imagine themselves as “public Religious Sites in Two Tokyo Neighborhoods” (co- educators” who can help the people in their com- sponsored with CAPS) October 24 munities to respond well to the challenges of religious Kristy Nabhan-Warren, Bishop Martin Amos, Gerald diversity. Sorokin, “Conversation on Pope Frances” (co-spon- Beyond these required courses, the major is quite sored with Newman Catholic Center) November 20 open. It is maximally flexible for students who wish to Paul Dilley, “Textual Scholarship in the Digital fulfill the requirements for multiple majors while keep- Humanities: TEI and EpiDoc” (co-sponsored with ing their time-to-degree to four years. The Digital Studio for Arts and Public Humanities) Our professors are redesigning and creating other November 14 courses as well, some of which meet General Educa- James Moore, “Darwin’s Sacred Cause” (co-sponsored tion requirements and some of which are electives. with Obermann working Group, Old Capitol museums, We encourage you to visit our course offerings at The and Department of History) November 18-19 University of Iowa’s website by clicking on the ISIS link. *The Department of Religious Studies wishes to express its gratitude to Professor Daniel Boscaljon (PhD, 2011) who directed the RLA conference for several years after it was established by Professor Emeritus David Klemm. This past summer Dan handed the directorship over to Professors Curley and Dilley. We know his influence will continue to be felt in the years ahead. The University of Iowa • 5

New Statement of Mission and Vision

Our Mission them—and also aspects that disturb them. Today, it is more important than ever that people think wisely During 2013 the Department of Religious Studies en- about religion and its influences. joyed extended conversation about its mission and its vision for the future. The interests of our students are At Iowa, students can study Song Dynasty Chinese changing; higher education is changing; the forms of Buddhism; modern Japanese Buddhism; ancient South the world’s religions are changing; and we as a faculty Asian religions; Islam within and beyond the Islamic are recognizing new strengths and making new con- world; biblical and secular Judaism; ancient Mediter- nections. We want to be sure that the university and ranean religions; medieval and modern Christianity in the people of Iowa recognize the essential contribu- Europe and the U.S.; African American religions; and tions that the study of religion makes to a well-round- Native American traditions. Students can trace the ed education for life. development of a particular tradition through time. The mission of the Department of Religious Stud- They can study more than one tradition in compara- ies is to be a hub of interdisciplinary inquiry into tive perspective. They can analyze religion’s relation- religious ideas, experiences, cultural expressions, and ship to other dimensions of culture by working with a social movements. Religion has taken myriad forms common theme. They can take a further theoretical throughout history and around the world, and it turn and study the concept of religion. They can continues to change and evolve in ways that challenge examine the methods and theories that scholars bring human understanding. To meet this challenge, the to the study of religion. They can ask and explore Religious Studies faculty makes use of multiple meth- “big questions” about life and death, suffering and ods of study, including historical, philosophical, ethi- meaning, while contemplating the wisdom of the cal, literary, linguistic, psychological, ethnographic, ages. Through the study of religion, students can gain and digital approaches. We help students and other skills that allow them (with additional investigation) people to become better-informed and more nuanced to understand nearly any religious idea or activity thinkers who can successfully navigate a world of they encounter. Students can learn to converse about religious diversity. Through our graduate program, religion, wherever they go, in ways that raise the level we prepare future scholars and teachers to extend our of public discourse. educational efforts in new directions and advance the Our vision for the future is to continue to treat an critical study of religion. impressive range of the world’s religions, both large Our Vision and small, while highlighting what binds us together Founded in 1927, the Department of Religious Studies and distinguishes us from other religion departments. was the first department at a public university in the What distinguishes us is the study of religions’ influ- United States to devote itself to the academic study ences on public life, especially on the ways in which of religion. Since that time, dramatic advances in people envision and seek to bring about—or resist— media and communication have brought geographi- social change. Our focus is to trace changing forms cally distant religious phenomena closer to home. of religions’ influences through the digital revolution, Globalization has brought many people face to face always keeping historical origins and past develop- with aspects of religion and spirituality that intrigue ments in perspective. 6 • Department of Religious Studies

FACULTY PERSPECTIVES

Robert Cargill is entering his “The Problem of Critical Scholars They join their brother, MacLaren third year of teaching at Iowa, and at Confessional Colleges”. He Grey, and their sister, Talitha Joy, this past year has been incredibly presented two lectures on the role in keeping Dr. Cargill busy. busy. Robert offered courses in of the Digital Humanities at Iowa Biblical Archaeology, Greek, and for the University of Iowa Founda- Diana Fritz Cates had the joy of Biblical Aramaic in the spring, tion and at the kickoff of the “For seeing two of her Ph.D. students and is presently teaching courses Iowa, Forever More” fundraising earn their doctorates. Dr. Chris- in Mythology of Otherworldly campaign. Dr. Cargill had an op-ed tine Darr defended her thesis, “The Journeys and Targumic Aramaic. published in the Des Moines Reg- Social Practices of Consumption Dr. Cargill established a six-week ister entitled “Iowa View: 1 man, and the Formation of Desire,” and summer Study Abroad archaeology 1 woman isn’t the Bible’s only will continue to teach at Loras program in Tel Azekah, Israel, and marriage view”, which was then College. Dr. Abbylynn Helgevold led a team of 14 students and staff featured in the Huffington Post. defended her thesis, “Humility, participating in the archaeological Dr. Cargill also served as Consult- Oppression, and Human Flourish- excavation of the ancient city, just ing Producer for a six-episode His- ing: A Critical Appropriation of west of Jerusalem. Along with his tory channel documentary series Aquinas on Humility,” and will graduate students Cory Taylor and entitled “Bible Secrets Revealed”, continue to teach at UNI. Prof. Cale Staley, Dr. Cargill is con- and appeared as an expert in each Cates also celebrated Susan Woo- tinuing the development of a 3D episode. He was interviewed by lever’s attainment of an MA degree virtual reality reconstruction of Tel Ben Kieffer on Iowa Public Radio’s with her thesis, “The Process of Azekah. He also led the students “River to River” program, and was Self-Becoming in the Thought of on weekend tours of the Holy featured in various articles appear- Søren Kierkegaard and Carl Rog- Land, including the Dead Sea, the ing in the Iowa City Press-Citizen, ers.” Prof. Cates is in her second Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, and a the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the Des year as Department Chair. She tour of Jordan with trips to Petra Moines Register, the Daily Iowan, has been deeply engaged in this and a night sleeping under the DITV, The Blaze, and the Huff- role. Above all, she has enjoyed stars in a Bedouin camp in Wadi ington Post all in connection with supporting and touting the great Rum. Robert was again invited to his History channel documentary. success of her colleagues and rais- give the Finn Lecture, a two-part Dr. Cargill was also interviewed by ing the profile of the department. lecture on “Twins in the Bible” at Carl Wolfson on the “Carl in the She was a radio guest on “Talk of the Agudas Achim Congregation Morning” radio show, as well as by Iowa,” hosted by Charity Nebbe; and First Presbyterian Church KXIC AM 800 host Jay Capron participated in two World Canvass that promotes Jewish-Christian on the “Your Town” show. Robert programs, hosted by Religious dialogue in Iowa City. He gave had an article published in the Studies alumna Joan Kjaer; and the Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem peer-reviewed journal Aramaic gave other public presentations. Day) lecture entitled “The Five Studies entitled, “The Rule of She developed a new first-year Defenders of Jerusalem” at Agudas Creative Completion: Neofiti’s seminar, “Religion and Body Achim, and presented a four-week Use of ”. He is presently Modification,” to expose more class on Genesis for the local Jew- working on articles on the biblical first-year students to the possibility ish congregation. He presented an figure of Melchizedek, and on the of studying religion while at Iowa. invited lecture at the University role of mandrakes as fertility drugs She led a committed and creative of Maryland’s Michelle Smith in antiquity. He is also writing faculty to a reformulation of the Collaboratory for Visual Culture archaeological reports for the water department’s mission and vision. entitled “Toward an Archaeologi- cistern he excavated in Area S2 at She oversaw a substantial revision cal Standard for Digital Imagery,” Tel Azekah, and is working on a of the undergraduate major. Prof. and a DSPAH Studio talk entitled book exploring the different mar- Cates presented a paper at the “Digi-Tel Azekah: Digitally Model- riage laws in the Bible. Dr. Cargill 2013 International Congress on ing Archaeological Remains on the was selected as an Office of Digital Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo, Judean-Philistine Borderline” on Humanities grant review panelist Michigan, and she continues to campus. He participated in a panel for the National Endowment for make progress on her book, The discussion on “Bringing Digital Ar- the Humanities, and was named to Ethics of Love and Hatred. She chives and Research to the Class- the advisory board for the Uni- serves her profession in many room” as part of the “Rewiring the versity of Iowa Obermann Center ways, most notably as a Trustee Classroom” conference at Iowa. for Advanced Research, on top of and manuscript reviewer for the He gave two papers at the Society all of this, Robert’s wife, Roslyn, Journal of Religious Ethics and as a of Biblical Literature’s Annual gave birth to fraternal twins, a son, long-term member of the Advisory Meeting, including a “Preliminary Quincy Enoch Domenico, and a Board of the University of Iowa Report on Tel Azekah” and one on daughter, Rory Kate Duvall in May. Center for Human Rights. The University of Iowa • 7

Melissa Anne-Marie Curley part of an international research “Religious Rhetoric: God and devoted much of her time over the team to publish the scriptures of US Politics” examines religious course of the year to co-chairing Mani, early Christianity’s “arch- language as part of American po- the department’s ninth annual heretic,” from a Coptic manuscript litical discourse. While the course Religion, Literature, and the Arts at the Chester Beatty Library in begins by considering our founders conference, which took place in Dublin. This research involved a and early Presidents, it focuses on September; the conference was month-long visit to the library in the last six decades. The second a wonderful opportunity to work June 2013, as well as an invited new course is “Issues in Science closely with colleagues and gradu- public lecture on Manichaeism and Christianity: Conflicts and ate students in the department and at London’s School for Oriental Conversations.” The interaction across campus. In fall 2012, she and African Studies in September. between Science and Religion gave invited lectures in Iowa City, Earlier in January, he attended in Western Culture provides a Kamloops, and Vancouver, and a seminar on pre-modern trans- storied history, particularly since contributed an essay on Fluxus and nationalism at the University of the Church’s condemnation of Buddhism to the volume Flowers California, Berkeley, presenting Galileo almost four centuries ago. on the Rock. In spring 2013, she on his recently published article Our topics range from evolution presented new work on the prison in the Journal of World History, and Intelligent Design to The Big diary of Kawakami Hajime at the “Religious Intercrossing in Late- Bang, from the Human Genome International Association of Shin Antique Eurasia: Loss, Corrup- Project to spiritual implications of Buddhist Studies, and contributed tion, and Canon-Formation.” He the neurosciences. an essay on Miyazawa Kenji to the completed three chapters for a volume Hope and the Longing for forthcoming multidisciplinary Jay Holstein was named by the Utopia, as well as writing reviews volume on the Red Monastery Provost’s Office as one of twenty for Dissertation Reviews, Eastern at Sohag, Egypt, where he has faculty and staff voted by graduat- Buddhist, and Religious Studies travelled over the past eight years ing seniors as having a positive in- Review. In May, she spent two as the inscriptions expert on an fluence on their experience at The weeks in Montreal as a visiting international conservation and University of Iowa. He was invited scholar participating in Conversa- research project funded by USAID. to give two class presentations tions Across World Religions, an His work on this project forms the in Mitch Kelley’s 2013 summer annual seminar hosted by McGill basis for the Christian Inscriptions session course, 07P:217 Seminar University; over the summer, she of Egypt and Nubia database he in College Teaching: (1) “How to participated in the CAPS NCTA is producing, with graduate and Teach the Most Embarrassing workshop for Iowa secondary undergraduate research assistants, Tale in the Hebrew Bible, I Kings school teachers, teaching a module at the Digital Studio; as well as for 2: 23-25, ‘Bears and Bugbears at on the triple disaster, and worked an invited lecture and three days of Bethel’” and (2) “Don’t Worry on a collaborative translation of an seminars he delivered this May at About Motivating Your Students; essay by the Japanese philosopher UNESCO’s Library of Alexandria It is Self-motivation that Counts Keta Masako. She is currently co- in Egypt. Back at Iowa, he serves in the Classroom.” He was also chairing a working group on Asian as faculty organizer (with Melissa invited to give a joint presentation studies and critical theory at the Curley) of the new Religious Stud- with Dan Gable in Mitch Kelley’s Obermann Center and preparing ies colloquium, as well as the de- Fall 2013 course, 07P:029 First the final draft of her manuscript, partment’s 9th Religion, Literature, Year Seminar: Factors That Hinder Back to the Land: Japanese Buddhist and the Arts conference, held on Success in Higher Education: “Why Visions of Utopia at War’s End. campus from September 26th-28th. Teaching is a Dangerous Profes- Within the field, Paul serves on the sion.” Holstein completed a full Paul Dilley, during his second year editorial board of “Bible Odyssey,” revision of the online version of at the University of Iowa, taught the SBL’s new website supported 032:003 Quest for Human Destiny, the Christianity portion of JCI, as by an NEH project grant; and is a incorporating video lectures, and well as the graduate seminar on member of the steering committee robust interactive online features, Western Religious Traditions. He for the SBL’s new 3-year Digital including online assessments. He also developed a new introductory Humanities consultation. He was constructed a new course to be course, Religions in a Global Con- also a reviewer/panelist for NEH offered beginning in the fall of text, in collaboration with other grants. 2014, which has been approved department members, especially for fulfilling a General Education Melissa Curley and Jordan Smith. Robert Gerstmyer, part-time Requirement: 032:021 Judaism: Paul also directed several gradu- Lecturer in Biblical Studies, began The Sacred and the Secular. Holstein ate independent study courses, teaching at The University of Iowa also participated in The University including an introduction to the this year. He is offering two new of Iowa 2013 Homecoming Parade Coptic language (ancient Egyptian courses in the Religious Studies as a Judge. written with Greek letters). He is Department. The first course, 8 • Department of Religious Studies

Raymond Mentzer continues to Kristy Nabhan-Warren is in her Native American Women and teach an entry level sequence second year with the department. Religion. Last fall the students on medieval and modern re- She is currently Associate Professor completed poster projects on envi- ligious culture as well as more of Religious Studies and is the V.O. ronmental and sustainability issues advanced courses on the history of and Elizabeth Kahl Figge Catholic for American Indian Environmen- early modern Christianity and the Studies Fellow. Her research and talism and exhibited their work Reformation. Mentzer’s research writing has been on U.S. Catholic in the department’s atrium area. program led to the publication and Protestant Christian experi- In June she presented a paper on of Les registres des consistoires des ences and she has focused on “We are Land Named: Geopoliti- Églises réformées de France, XVIe uncovering the complexities of cal, Georestorative Movements” - XVIIe siècles. Un inventaire, U.S. Latino/a religious experiences for the Religion, Sovereignty and Archives des Églises réformées de and practices. She is the author of Revitalization in Native America France 4 (Geneva: Librairie Droz, The Virgin of El Barrio: Marian Ap- Session at the annual Native 2013). He also published several paritions, Catholic Evangelizing, and American and Indigenous Studies journal articles and book chapters Mexican American Activism (NYU Association (NAISA) meeting in this past year. Among them are Press, 2005) and The Cursillo Uncasville, CT. She also present- “Reformed Liturgical Practices,” Movement in America: Catholics, ed a paper titled “Thinking Ani- in A Companion to the Eucharist Protestants, and Fourth-Day Spiri- mals, Rethinking Race, Ethnicity, in the Reformation, Brill Compan- tuality (UNC Press, Sept. 2013) as and Religion: Petticoat Bison and ion Series, Edited by Lee Palmer well as several essays and articles. the Winning of the West,” at the Wandel (Leiden: Brill, 2013), pp. Her third book project, tentatively American Academy of Religion 231-250; and “Textual Prescrip- entitled LatinoAmerican Religions, annual meeting in Chicago. In tion and Ecclesiastical Practice in will be part of the University of October she gave a public lecture the Reformed Churches of France: Chicago History of Religion series. on “Dancing our Troubles Away: Myths and Realities Surrounding In addition to this new book Native American Ways of Allevi- the Consistory,” in Mélanges of- project, Kristy maintains an active ating Suffering” at Drake Univer- ferts à notre ami Bernard Roussel: travel schedule and is chairing sev- sity in Des Moines. She continues Bible, Histoire et Société, Edited by eral panels at conferences this year to serve as Director of Undergradu- Gerald Hobbs and Annie No- and next. She has been invited to ate Studies and as a member of the blesse-Rocher (Turnhout: Brepols, discuss The Cursillo Movement in editorial board for the Journal of 2013), pp. 319-331. An edited America at Northwestern Univer- Race, Ethnicity and Religion. She is volume on the Huguenots as well sity, The University of Dayton, and currently working on her chapter as several journal articles and book Fordham University’s Francis and on Lakota ghost dance for her chapters are in various stages of Ann Curran Center for American book project on Native American production. Book reviews appeared Catholic Studies next year. At the women and religious movements. in the Sixteenth Century Journal, H- university, Kristy is a member of France and Renaissance Quarterly. the inaugural Humanities Advisory Morten Schlütter, Associate In April 2013, he gave a series of Committee and is co-chair (with Professor of Chinese Religions, lectures on the French Reforma- Ali Hasan) of the Alt-Ac subcom- stepped down after six years as the tion at the Université de Pau et mittee. She is a member of the department’s Director of Graduate les Pays de l’Adour, France. He General Education Committee. Studies to take up the directorship organized a panel on “Understand- Kristy is also faculty advisor for of the UI Center for Asian and ings of Gender and the Practice of the University of Iowa Interfaith Pacific Studies (CAPS). As direc- Discipline in Reformed Tradition,” Student Service Group and will be tor of CAPS he facilitated talks on for the Sixteenth Century Society travelling to NYC in the Spring for East Asian religion in the depart- and Conference, meeting at San an interfaith gathering where she ment by Harold Roth of Brown Juan, Puerto Rico, in October will take part in discussions on ap- University and Steven Heine of 2013. He continues to serve on proaches to interreligious dialogue. Florida International University. the Governing Board of the H.H. As a public intellectual, Kristy Schlütter is continuing his teach- Meeter Center for Calvin Studies, enjoys being a part of community ing and research on Buddhism and Calvin College, Grand Rapids, events and talks. She is passionate Chinese religions. He is currently Michigan. He is a member of the about graduate education and is developing a new course on Asian editorial board of the Sixteenth excited about her new role as Di- traditions of meditation, and is Century Journal and the American rector of Graduate Studies for the among other things working on a representative to the International Department of Religious Studies. book manuscript on the Platform Commission for the History and Sutra, an important Chinese Bud- Study of Christianity, a subunit of Michelene Pesantubbee continues dhist scripture associated with the the International Commission of teaching her courses on American Chan (Jpn.: Zen) tradition. In the Historical Sciences. Indian Environmentalism, Native spring of 2013 Schlütter gave talks American Sacred World, and on his work on the Platform Sutra The University of Iowa • 9 at UCLA and University of the Mahabharata. He gave guest lec- including Asia Times, OpenDem- West. He also gave presentations tures at NYU, Rutgers, and several ocracy, and Eurasia Review. During at two conferences in China in at Princeton. He published one ar- spring semester, he taught a new the fall: “Holy Body, Sacred Space: ticle on the well-known yoga guru course, “Religion in the Public The Creation of the Sacred in Me- B.K.S. Iyengar in a volume titled Sphere.” He has revised it based dieval Chinese Chan Buddhism,” Yoga Gurus (ed. by Mark Singleton on students’ feedback and will be at the conference on Sacred Space and Ellen Goldberg), a long review offering the revised version this and Spatial Sacredness: The Com- article of a path-breaking book on coming academic year. In the areas position and Development of the the history of world mythology by of research and service, Profes- Spatial Factors in Medieval Chi- Michael Witzel in the Religious sor Souaiaia continues to publish nese Religions, at Fudan Universi- Studies Review (Fall 2013), and he works on the topics broadly framed ty in Shanghai, and “The Evolu- wrote several other book reviews as law, religion, and society. Prof. tion of the Formless Precepts in the and papers that are due out in the Souaiaia is the managing editor Platform Sutra,” at the Conference next year. He continues to chip of the Journal of Islamic and Judaic on Vinaya Texts and Transmission: away as his Mahabharata transla- Multidisciplinary Studies. He serves New Perspectives and Methods, tion. on a number of university and pro- sponsored by the Peking Univer- fessional committees and reviews sity Research Center for Buddhist Jordan Smith, Lecturer in Biblical manuscripts for academic journal Texts and Arts, in Hangzhou. He Studies, has had a busy year as and monograph publishers. His also reviewed several book propos- he continued to place his pri- recent articles and essays on the als for university presses and wrote mary emphasis on teaching and current events taking place in the book reviews. strengthening our undergraduate Islamic world can be accessed via program. In addition to his regular his website ahmedsouaiaia.com. Frederick Smith was on leave course load, advisees, independent during the calendar year 2013. He studies courses, and directing an Richard Turner published a book spent the first semester, January un- Honors Thesis, he has remained chapter, “African Muslim Slaves til the end of June, in India, where active in TAK, the Religious Stud- and Islam in Antebellum Ameri- he has a house in the Himalayas. ies Department’s honor society, ca,” in Juliane Hammer and Omid He worked on his translation of assumed responsibility of faculty Safi, ed.,The Cambridge Companion the last five books of the great advisor for Discussions on Religion to American Islam (Cambridge Uni- Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, and Culture, a Religious Studies versity Press, 2013), pp. 28-44. His and finished a few academic papers. undergraduate student organiza- book chapter, “Popular and Aca- He also spent ten days in Israel, tion, and served as co-director for demic Images of African-American his first trip there, and very much the University of Iowa summer Islam,” in Aminah McCloud, ed., enjoyed it. He delivered papers in study abroad program that includes The Oxford Handbook on African Kolkata and Mumbai, and con- a 6-week archaeological dig in Is- American Islam (Oxford University sulted with scholars and libraries rael. He gave talks about the Bible Press) is now in press. Dr. Turner in Pune, Mumbai and Mysore. He at area churches and appeared in presented a paper, “Vodou and the was caught in massive floods in several episodes of the new History Healing Arts in Post-Katrina New the Himalayas in June, in which Channel documentary The Secrets Orleans” at Harvard University in approximately 8000 people died, of the Bible Revealed. In his spare October, 2013. He also presented a electricity was cut off for weeks, all time he is preparing a conference paper, “Jazz, the Second Line, and the roads were washed away, and paper and finishing an article on Religious Internationalism in New food supplies dwindled seriously. the use of warfare and adoption Orleans,” at the American Acad- But his house was unaffected, imagery to create group identity in emy of Religion Annual Meeting fortunately. He was also fortunate biblical and martyr literature. in November, 2013. Dr. Turner to make it back to Delhi in time continues to serve on the editorial for his flight back to the U.S. After Ahmed Souaiaia continues to board of the Journal of Africana a quiet month in Iowa City, he research and write about the trans- Religions and on the board of direc- relocated for the fall semester to formative events widely known as tors for KOSANBA, an Interna- Princeton University, to serve as the “Arab Spring” taking place in tional Scholarly Association for Stewart Fellow in the Princeton the Arab world. He has published the Study of Haitian Vodou (with Humanities Center and Visiting over twelve articles and essays headquarters at the University of Professor of South Asian Studies. about the subject in interna- California, Santa Barbara). He taught one course there, on the tional newspapers and magazines 10 • Department of Religious Studies

Recent Books The Cursillo Movement in America Catholics, Protestants, and Fourth-Day Spirituality Kristy Nabhan-Warren

The internationally growing their experiences are a touchstone Cursillo movement, or “short for understanding these trends in course in Christianity,” founded post-1960s American Christianity. in 1944 by Spanish Catholic lay Drawing on extensive ethno- practitioners, has become popular graphic fieldwork as well as his- among American Catholics and torical research, Nabhan-Warren Protestants alike. This lay-led shows the importance of Latino weekend experience helps partici- Catholics in the spread of the pants recommit to and live their Cursillo movement. Cursillistas’ faith. Emphasizing how American stories, she argues, guide us toward Christians have privileged the a new understanding of contempo- individual religious experience and rary Christian identities, inside and downplayed denominational and outside U.S. borders, and of the theological differences in favor importance of globalizing Ameri- of a common identity as renewed can religious boundaries. people of faith, Kristy Nabhan- Warren focuses on cursillistas- For more information visit: -those who have completed a http://www.uncpress.unc.edu/ Cursillo weekend--to show how browse/book_detail?title_id=3241

Readings of the Platform Sutra Edited by Morten Schlütter and Stephen F. Teiser

The Platform Sutra comprises graphy. They probe the sutra’s key a wide range of important Chan/ philosophical arguments, its para- Zen Buddhist teachings. Purported doxical teachings about transmis- to contain the autobiography and sion, and its position on ordination sermons of Huineng (638–713), and other institutions. The book the legendary Sixth Patriarch of includes a character glossary and Chan, the sutra has been popular extensive bibliography, with help- among monastics and the educated ful references for students, general elite for centuries. The first study readers, and specialists throughout. of its kind in English, this volume The editors and contributors are offers essays that introduce the among the most respected scholars history and ideas of the sutra to a in the study of Buddhism, and they general audience and interpret its assess the place of the Platform practices. Leading specialists on Sutra in the broader context of Buddhism discuss the text’s histori- Chinese thought, opening the text cal background and its vaunted to all readers interested in Asian legacy in Chinese culture. culture, literature, spirituality, and Incorporating recent scholar- religion. ship and theory, chapters include an overview of Chinese Buddhism, For more information visit: the crucial role of the Platform http://cup.columbia.edu/book/978- Sutra in the Chan tradition, and 0-231-15820-6/readings-of-the- the dynamics of Huineng’s bio- platform-sutra The University of Iowa • 11

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Religious Studies 314 Gilmore Hall Iowa City, IA 52242-1376

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR The past year has been a time of exciting rediscovery and redefinition in the Department of Religious Studies. Among the faculty, old lines of sub-disciplinary division have been dissolving, and new intellectual synergies have been forming. Vibrant connections to other units around the UI campus are being extended and enriched every day. It is a great time to be at Iowa. We all know that the world is changing in dramatic ways. Our students are caught up in a digital media revolution that is transforming the ways in which they conceive of themselves and relate to each other. Our students are also feeling the pressure of complex economic changes that sometimes lead them to think of the Diana Fritz Cates study of religion as a luxury. Yet we know that this area of study is basic to an excel- lent education in the 21st century. Religion is an integral, if sometimes hidden part of virtually all the events that are unfolding around the globe. We must learn to think clearly and communi- cate effectively about religion if we are to understand our world and improve the conditions of human life. There are concrete ways in which you can help us to meet the needs of students, while advancing the highest level of research into religion and its influences. I would like to highlight our new Study Abroad Program in Israel, which has been developed by Prof. Robert Cargill, with the help of Prof. Jordan Smith, and the financial support of the College and University. Imagine the impact of a summer that is spent on an archaeological dig of this caliber. Consider what Leah DeGrazia has to say (on page one). It is easy to make such an experience possible for more students through a gift that is targeted for student research travel. Please donate now through the UI Foundation website, and feel free to earmark your gift for a special purpose. Your contributions are critical to the vitality of our unit and our educational endeavors. Perspectives On Religion is published by As always, we are grateful for your support, and we hope you keep in touch. Our physical space has been The University of Iowa renewed, thanks especially to the creativity of Maureen Walterhouse, and the virtual space generated by our Department of Religious Studies. Publication website continues to evolve in remarkable ways, thanks especially to Robin Burns’ skill and enthusiasm. So of this newsletter was please stop by and see us or visit our website and Facebook page soon—and often. made possible by support from the M. Willard Lampe Fund and the Sincerely yours, Alice Marguerite Blough Development Fund. Diana Fritz Cates Director Diana Fritz Cates Maureen Walterhouse Professor and Chair Editor Department of Religious Studies 314 Gilmore Hall The University of Iowa W08347/12-13 Iowa City, IA 52242 Printed by the UI Printing Department 319-335-2162 [email protected]