Take a Break Pizza Party!

Connect with Religious Studies!

When
3 – 4:30 p.m., Dec. 11, 2025
Where
LSB Courtyard

Religious Studies at the University of Arizona is excited to host an End-of-Semester break for all majors and minors in the Learning Services Building courtyard! All Religious Studies students are welcome to participate. Join us for some beverages and pizza! 

Thursday, December 11th, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM 

Location: Learning Services Building Courtyard, 1512 E. 1st St 

Poster

Study Abroad Funding Available!

March 3, 2026
Orvieto at sunset

In Summer 2026, Dr. Philip Waddell will be offering Classics and Religious Studies courses through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program, and the Department of Religious Studies and Classics is offering scholarships for students enrolling in these courses.  

The program dates in Italy are mid May through late June, 2026, and the Study Abroad application deadline is February 25, 2026. The beautiful, historic town of Orvieto is only one hour from Rome. The program will include field trips to Rome and other locations in Italy. 

Courses

Dr. Waddell will be offering the following courses for the summer 2026 Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program:

  • CLAS/RELI 305: Greek and Roman Religion (Gen Ed: Building Connections / Tier 2 Individuals & Societies). Description: This course covers the many facets of Greek and Roman religion(s), beginning in Homeric Greece and continuing to their receptions in Christianity.
  • CLAS 335: The Roman Empire: Rulers and Ruled (Gen Ed Exploring Perspectives, Humanist / Tier 2 Humanities). Description: This course explores the Roman empire from the perspectives both of the ruling Romans, and of the non-Roman peoples they ruled in Italy and beyond. Religious Studies majors/minors: Contact Dr. Waddell to arrange to take this course for RELI credit!
  • CLAS/RELI 399 - Independent Study. Please contact Dr. Waddell directly to discuss independent study options. (Only for majors/minors who have already taken the courses above and need an upper-level CLAS/RELI course.)

Questions about the above study abroad courses can be directed to Dr. Philip Waddell at waddell@arizona.edu. 

Study Abroad Scholarships Available!

Students are welcome to apply for any and all of the funding awards listed below for which they are eligible. Any questions about study abroad scholarships can be directed to Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu.

2026 Arizona in Orvieto Awards offered by the Department of Religious Studies & Classics 

1. General Arizona in Orvieto Award:

Awards of up to $500 are available for any University of Arizona student enrolled in CLAS/RELI 305 and/or CLAS 335 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. Priority will be given to majors or minors in the Department of Religious Studies & Classics, but all U of A students (with any major/minor) can apply. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received.

2. Arizona in Orvieto Award for Majors in Classics and/or Religious Studies:

Additional monetary awards are available for majors in Classics, Religious Studies, and/or RSHP who are enrolled in CCLAS/RELI 305 and/or CLAS 335 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received. Majors in the department will be considered for both the General Award and the Majors Award.

Majors should ALSO APPY for the following study abroad awards (more details are further below):

  • College of Humanities FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD Scholarship ($2,000) and other COH Study Abroad Scholarships (February deadline): Apply here
  • SILLC Global Award ($1,500 - February deadline): Apply here.
  • Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award ($250): Apply here. 

Arizona in Orvieto Award Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the end of the Spring 2026 semester. Application instructions can be found here.

More Info & Application Instructions 

 

See below for additional study abroad scholarships! 

ADDITIONAL STUDY ABROAD FUNDING:

SILLC Global Award for SILLC Majors (Applications Due February 16, 2026):

Awards of up to $1,500 are available to SILLC majors to support participation in Study Abroad. SILLC majors include Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, Italian Studies and more. More information and application instructions can be found on the SILLC Global Award Fund webpage. 

More Info 

Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies Majors:

Majors in Religious Studies and Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) who apply for the SILLC Global Award are automatically considered for the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies. Award amounts are typically $600.

More Info 

Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award 

Several awards of $250 are available for University of Arizona students enrolled in a UArizona Classics course while participating in Study Abroad programs in Italy. 

More Info 

College of Humanities Scholarships (Applications Due In February Each Year):

Numerous scholarships are available for College of Humanities majors (Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, etc.), including the FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD scholarship ($2,000) and other study abroad scholarships.

More Info 

UA Study Abroad Office - Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Please contact the Study Abroad office to discuss additional funding opportunities to make your study abroad dreams a reality!

More Info 

 

Questions? Contact Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu

Josh Wright

Chief Facilities & Planning Officer
University of Arizona
B.A.
Religious Studies
2005
B.A.
Psychology
2005
Master of Public Administration
2007

A firm grounding in the humanities teaches you the belief systems, customs, languages, and cultures that drive human behavior. No matter your subsequent career path, understanding what’s important to people and the systems and worldviews that guide their actions is absolutely essential to success.

Joshua Wright

Sand Mandala Opening Ceremony

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus.

When
11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Oct. 12, 2025
Where
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

OPENING CEREMONY, OCT 12, 2025 @ 11AM 

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

OPENING CEREMONY 

OCT 12, 2025 @ 11AM 

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

OCT 13 – 17, 2025 @ 

9AM – 12PM and 3 – 6PM (Thursday until 5PM)

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Flyer

Sand Mandala Dissolution Ritual & Reception

The sand mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence.

When
2 – 3 p.m., Oct. 18, 2025
Where
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Flyer

Sand Mandala Viewing

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus.

When
All Day, Oct. 13 – 17, 2025
Where
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

OCT 13 – 17, 2025 @ 9AM – 12PM and 3 – 6PM (Thursday until 5PM)

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Flyer

Sand Mandala on Campus!

Oct. 18, 2025
Flyer

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

 

OPENING CEREMONY 

OCT 12, 2025 @ 11AM 

 

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

OCT 13 – 17, 2025 @ 

9AM – 12PM and 3 – 6PM (Thursday until 5PM)

 

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

 

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Workshop: Write Your Personal Statement

Prepare to apply for scholarships!

When
5 – 6 p.m., Oct. 9, 2025
Where
LSB 146

Prof. Daisy Vargas is holding a workshop to provide feedback and tips on writing a strong personal statement for scholarship applications.

Get a head start on applying for the Rombach/Bretall Scholarship for Religious Studies and other scholarships!

This workshop will be held in LSB 146, the room facing the grassy area on the east side of the Learning Services Building. 

Contacts
Dr. Daisy Vargas
daisyvargas@arizona.edu
Workshop flyer

Prof. Friesen Wins Book Award

Sept. 11, 2025
Prof. Friesen

Courtney Friesen, Professor in the Department of Religious Studies & Classics, has received the Frank W. Beare Award from the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies.

Presented at the society’s annual meeting in June in Toronto, the Beare Award recognizes an outstanding book in the areas of Christian Origins, Post-Biblical Judaism and/or Graeco-Roman Religions. 

Friesen’s Acting Gods, Playing Heroes, and the Interaction between Judaism, Christianity, and Greek Drama in the Early Common Era, published by Routledge in 2024, explores religion and the receptions of classical theater (tragedy, comedy and satyr drama) in the early centuries of the Common Era. 

Judges for the prize commented that this is “a slim but surprisingly expansive volume, [the book] models an approach to ancient Mediterranean religion that collapses the conventional disciplinary boundaries separating classics and ancient history from biblical studies to patristics. Friesen successfully demonstrates the ongoing influence especially of Euripides on interwoven Greek, Jewish, and Christian intellectual cultures, and offers tantalizing hints of drama’s durable place in the popular cultural imagination of the ancient world. The book is well-argued, breaks new ground, and overturns the traditional view about early Christian opposition to theatre.”

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