Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy
Welcome to the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy! Here, we arenβt afraid to ask the big questions and challenge students to dig deeper to find the answers. Our courses enhance studentsβ critical and creative thinking to prepare you to engage with a diverse and ever-changing world. Our education in ethical reasoning and cultural literacy will help foster your intellectual, personal, and social development, as well as your ability to adapt to new environments both personally and professionally.
Programs
The Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy hosts a variety of programs and coordinates across these programs to enhance your education. While our programs can be pursued as individual majors, students often find studies in Philosophy and Religious Studies to be an excellent complementary major or minor to other programs as well. Many students have paired one or more of our programs with majors in Anthropology, English, Biology, Chemistry, Political Science, Social Work, Intelligence Studies, Criminal Justice, Interior Architecture & Design, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and Cyber Security.
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Religious Studies Programs
Institutes for Community and Global Engagement
The Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy also includes two affiliated institutesβthe Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society, and the Sennett Institute for Mercy and Catholic Studies. These institutes provide programming including lectures, panels, films, and faculty and student seminars for our university and the larger Erie community.
The Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society
The Sennett Institute for Mercy and Catholic Studies
Romero Award
The Religious Studies Department has a longstanding tradition of conferring an award to the person or organization whose life and commitment reflect, in an extraordinary manner, the values of faith and justice, which were courageously demonstrated in the life and death of St. Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador.
- 2025, Erie City Mission
Presented by Brian Johannson, President and CEO. βThe Privilege of Serving our Homeless Neighbors.β March 24.
Read the News Article - 2023, Molly Burhans
Ecology and land management activist working with the Vatican. March 21.
Read the News Article - 2022, Barber National Institute
Presented by Maureen Barber-Carey. βContinuing the Legacy of Making Dreams Come True.β March 24. - 2019, Carl Malischke
Social justice activist in El Salvador. βThe Reality on the Other Side of the Wall: Transformational Encounters and Our Salvadoran Connections.β March 21. - 2018, Mary Hoffman β74
Retired special education teacher. βIf You Could, You Should.β March 20. - 2017, Dr. Douglas Villella
Optometrist and founder of Vision for the Poor. βLet Our Eyes Be Opened.β March 23. - 2016, Sr. Mary Miller
OSB, director of Emmaus Ministries. βIcons at Emmaus.β April 8. - 2015, Sr. Mary Claire Kennedy
SSJ, Social Justice Coordinator, Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA. βSex Trafficking.β March 25. - 2014, Sr. Simone Campbell
Executive Director of NETWORK. βJustice in America.β March 26. - 2013, Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki
Long-time advocate for peace and justice, former Director of Pax Christi, co-founder of Emmaus, co-founder of Neighborhood Art House, author, poet, and catalyst for local neighborhood revitalization. βTurned Into Fire.β March 19. - 2012, Sr. Mary Scullion and Joan McConnon
Co-founders, Project HOME. βNo One is Home Until All of Us Are Home.β March 22. - 2011, Erie LβArche Community, Fr. George Strohmeyer
βParable of Community in a Troubled World.β March 24. - 2010, Sr. Marilyn Lacey
Founder of Mercy Beyond Borders.β―βMobilizing Mercy Beyond Our Borders: An Invitation to Justice and Joy.β March 9. - 2009, Sr. Helen Prejean
Author and penal reform advocate. βDead Man Walking.β April 15. - 2008:β―Kathleen Erikson
R.S.M., co-founder of the Womenβs Intercultural Center, Anthony, NM. βCall to the Borders: Justice and Faith at the Margins of Society.β March 18. - 2007, Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton
Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit. βFaith and Justice in a World of Conflict.β March 22. - 2006, Maura Smith
RSMβ―for her work on environmental issues at ΊΪΑΟΙη College and in the Erie Community. - 2005,β―Marie Dennis
- 2003, Kathy Kelly
Anti-war protester, director. ββVoices in the Wilderness:' Broken Hearts, Broken Policy: U.S. Sanctions and War in Iraq.ββ―Received in absentia (she was in Iraq) by Joanna Berrigan. March 24. - 2002, John Dear
S.J., former director, Fellowship of Reconciliation. βNon-violent Action and Global Terror: The Relevance of Radical Compassion.βΜύ - 2000, Roy Bourgeois, M.M.Μύ
- 1999, Christine Vladimiroff, OSB
- 1998, Edwina Gately
- 1997, Pax Christi
- 1996, Robert HodernyΜύ
- 1995, Mary Jo Leddy
- 1994, Elizabeth McCallister
- 1992, Philip Berryman
- 1991, Daniel Berrigan, S.J.
Verna Ehret, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy; Professor
Meet the Faculty
Elizabeth Pyne
Program Director, Catholic Studies; Interim Director, Sustainability Studies Program; Assistant Professor
