Excerpt from Prof. Elias's new book

"There exists a widespread belief that Islam can countenance no representational religious art... In the following excerpt from his forthcoming study, Aisha’s Cushion: Religious Art, Perception, and Practice in Islam, Elias explains his approach to filling this gap in our understanding."

For More Information:

The History and Philosophy of Representational Art in Islam

News

UPennRELS on Tumblr!

Follow our Tumblr for more department news as well as videos, images, etc., related to the academic study of religion at Penn and beyond.

RELS profs in the DP

Recent articles have included an article mentioning Justin McDaniel as among those Penn profs whose courses “spark a genuine interest"; a profile of Anthea Butler; and an op-ed mentionning RELS 133

Prof. Butler in SAS Frontiers

"Root Causes: Anthea Butler gives the issue of black women’s hair care an academic spin." See also the media coverage of her symposium on The Politics of Black Women's Hair on MSNBC and the Grio.

Prof. Elias and Prof. McDaniel awarded Guggenheim Fellowships

We are proud and excited to announce TWO 2012 Guggenheim awardees in our department!

Prof. Matter wins TCPW/Provost Award

Ann Matter was chosen to receive the 2012 TCPW/Provost Award, which recognizes significant contributions in advancing the role of women in higher education and research at Penn.

RELS 400 at CPAC

Students in Prof. Butler's "The Religious Right in America" went to Washington DC for the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference.

RELS Major Emily Goshey Featured in SAS Frontiers

An article in SAS Frontiers explores RELS major's research and fieldwork with local Muslim communities.

50th year of Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins!

See the PSCO website for video of panels reflecting on the origins and history of PSCO, the category of "Christian Origins", and authors, genres, and books in antiquity - part of our year-long discussions in honour of PSCO's 50th year.

Prof. Butler on Pope Francis I

Hear her thoughts on the new pope on NPR and read her blog post on History News Network.

Prof. Reed discusses her experiences as a College House Fellow

Recent essay in the Penn Almanac.

Prof. Elias wins AIPS "Best Senior Book" Prize

Prof. Elias' newest book On Wings of Diesel: Identity, Imagination and Truck Decoration in Pakistan (Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2011) has been awarded the "Best Senior Book" prize by the American Institute of Pakistan Studies.

Audio Interview about RELS 356

Listen to Tricycle's on-line interview about Prof. McDaniel's course "Living Deliberately."

Aisha's Cushion in the Literary Review

Prof. Elias' newest book reviewed in The Literary Review.

Excerpt from Prof. Elias's new book

"There exists a widespread belief that Islam can countenance no representational religious art...

Prof. Justin McDaniel wins Kahin Prize for Best Book in Southeast Asian Studies