| Religious Studies

Study Abroad Funding for Bhutan!

Arizona in Bhutan: Spiritual Ecology & Himalayan Buddhism

Feb. 17, 2025

In Summer 2025, Dr. Rae Dachille will be offering the Arizona in Bhutan study abroad program. The tentative 2025 dates are June 2-11 for the Live Online virtual course component and June 16-29 in Bhutan. Study Abroad applications are due February 25, 2025.

Study Abroad Scholarships Available!

Students are welcome to apply for any and all of the funding awards listed below for which they are eligible.

SILLC Global Award for SILLC Majors (Applications Due February 17, 2025):

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 & RSHP 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

College of Humanities Scholarships (Applications Due February 17, 2025):

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

Rombach/Bretall Scholarship for Majors

November 1 and March 18 application deadlines

When

All Day, Nov. 1, 2024

Where

Email Application or Visit LSB 201

Religious Studies is now accepting applications for the Rombach and Bretall Scholarships from students with a major in Religious Studies OR Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP). Applications can be submitted in either the Fall or Spring semesters, by either November 1 or March 18.

Awards will be made based on academic achievement, need, and seniority in the Religious Studies Program (the number of courses taken toward completing the major in Religious Studies or Religious Studies for Health Professionals).

Value of Scholarship: $1,000-$2000

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be majoring in Religious Studies OR Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP).
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
NOTE: Students can receive only one Rombach/Bretall Award. Once a student has received a Rombach or Bretall Award, they are ineligible for future Rombach/Bretall Awards. (Those receiving "emergency" scholarships CAN apply for a Rombach/Bretall during the regular award cycles.)

Application Instructions:

To apply for this funding, please email the following with the subject line "Rombach/Bretall" to Hector Silva (religious-studies-classics@arizona.edu) by the deadline:

Your University of Arizona transcript. It is fine to send an unofficial transcript.
A 1-to-2-page letter of application, addressing the following points:

Why did you choose to major in Religious Studies or Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP)?
What has the Religious Studies or RSHP major meant to you? In other words, what impact has the major had on your experience as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona?
How will this scholarship help you to achieve your goals as a Religious Studies or RSHP major?
NOTE: At the top of your letter of application, please include the following information: your name, your university email address, your major(s), your expected graduation date, and the Religious Studies courses you will have completed by the end of Spring 2024.

Questions? Contact Prof. Rae Dachille (raedachille@arizona.edu)

History of the Lionel Rombach Scholarship

In 1978, Lionel England “Lee” Rombach donated funds to Religious Studies at the University of Arizona for the purpose of supporting upper-level undergraduates pursuing the study of religion. He endowed this scholarship in memory of his parents, Lambert Rombach and Anna England Rombach. For nearly half a century, the Rombach Scholarship has been distributed to Religious Studies majors to help with their educational expenses. Until the end of his life, Lee Rombach enjoyed luncheons each year with recipients of the Rombach Scholarship. Mr. Rombach passed away in 2008 at age 93, and his legacy continues to benefit Religious Studies majors at the University of Arizona. His obituary can be read here.

History of the Ora Bretall Scholarship

Religious Studies received a generous donation to establish this endowed student scholarship from the estate of Ora Bretall. She was predeceased by her son, Dr. Robert Bretall (1913-1980), who was a faculty member at the University of Arizona from 1949-1976.

Study Abroad Funding for Italy!

Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Summer 2025

Feb. 17, 2025

In Summer 2025, 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, 2025, and the Study Abroad application deadline is February 25, 2025. 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 2025 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.
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.)

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 can be directed to Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu.

2025 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 are Due March 3, 2025. Application instructions can be found here.

More Info & Application Instructions

See below for additional study abroad scholarships! Once you prepare one good letter of application for a Study Abroad scholarship, you can repurpose that letter to apply for multiple scholarships. UArizona students are warmly encouraged to take advantage of the free services offered by writing specialists at WSIP to help craft a strong letter of application. Help with writing personal statements is one of the many free services WISP offers for UArizona students. Students are welcome to visit WSIP.Arizona.edu or email writingskills@arizona.edu to schedule an appointment.

ADDITIONAL STUDY ABROAD FUNDING:

SILLC Global Award for SILLC Majors (Applications Due February 17, 2025):

More Info

Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies Majors:

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 February 17, 2025):

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

Take A Break!

Mid-Semester Reception for Religious Studies Majors, Minors, and Friends

When

9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Oct. 18, 2024

Where

Learning Services Building (LSB) Courtyard. 1512 E. First Street

Religious Studies at the University of Arizona is excited to host a Mid-Semester break for all majors, minors, and students interested in Religious Studies! Light refreshments will be available along with opportunities to connect with faculty and fellow students. All are welcome to participate.