About the Program

UVU's Religious Studies Program advances an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of religion. Given its role in the human experience, religion requires careful study utilizing methods and practices employed in the study of other social institutions. This includes the examination of the history, theology, literature, folklore, etc. of various religions in an effort to study religion as a cultural phenomenon. The program is intended  to explore religious beliefs and practices in a spirit of open inquiry, and to create an environment in which challening questions can be engaged from a variety of perspectives and methodologies. 

Religious Studies Committee

Brian Birch

Brian Birch

Director

Professional Profile

Brian Birch is Director of the Religious Studies Program and Center for the Study of Ethics. He specializes in philosophy of religion and ethics. 

Kim Abunwara

Kim Abunawara

Philosophy & Humanities

Professional Profile

Kim Abunwara is an Associate Professor of Integrated Studies and Director of the Humanities Profgram at Utah Valley University 

 

A picture of Thomas Bretz

Thomas Bretz

Philosophy & Humanities

Professional Profile

Thomas H. Bretz is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy and the Environmental Ethics Fellow at the Center for the Study of Ethics

A picture of Matt Draper

Matt Draper

Behavioral Sciences

Professional Profile

Matt Draper serves as Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Utah Valley University.

 

A picture of John Dulin

John Dulin

Behavioral Sciences

Professional Profile

 John Dulin is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology focusing on religion, ethnographic methods, and contemporary theory.

A picture of Michael Goode

Michael Goode

Behavioral Sciences

Professional Profile

Michael Goode is a historian of early American and Atlantic World history. His interests include religion, political culture, and abolition.

 

A picture of Ryan Harte

Ryan Harte

Philosophy & Humanities

Professional Profile

Ryan Harte is an Associate Professor of Philosophy focusing on Chinese, Greek, and literary philosophy.

A picture of John Hunt

John Hunt

History & Political Science

Professional Profile

Brian D. Birch is an Assistant Professor of History & Political Science. His research focuses on Mediterranean social and cultural history.

 

A picture of Greg Jackson

Greg Jackson

Integrated Studies

Professional Profile

Greg Jackson is the Chair of Integrated Studies and Deputy Director of National Security Studies. He's the host of "History that Doesn't Suck". 

A picture of David Knowlton

David Knowlton

Behavioral Sciences

Professional Profile

David Knowlton is a Professor of Anthropology. His interests include life in Utah, the American Southwest and international Mormonism. 

 

A picture of Boyd Petersen

Boyd Peterson

English & Literature

Professional Profile

Boyd Peterson the Program Coordinator for Mormon Studies. His research emphases are Romanticism and religious literature.

A picture of Kelli Potter

Kelli Potter

Philosophy & Humanities

Professional Profile

Kelli Potter is an Associate Professor of Philosophy where she specializes in philosophy of religion, logic, and the Vienna Circle.

 

A picture of David Scott

David Scott

Communication

Professional Profile

David Scott is a Professor of Communication specializing in the intersection of religion, media, and popular culture. 

A picture of Matt Draper

Deb Thornton

English & Literature

Professional Profile

Deb Thornton is a Professor of English Literature focusing on topics including literature of the sacred and 19th century American literature.

A picture of Ken White

Ken White

Philosophy & Humanities

Professional Profile

Ken White is a Lecturer of Philosophy whee he teaches courses in Western and Eastern religions as well as East Asian Buddhist philosophy.