Ancient Religion
NYU has a variety of resources for the study of the religions of antiquity and the academic study of religion in general. Several members of the Classics Department faculty have long-standing interests in ancient religions (Adam Becker, Joan Connelly, David Konstan, Barbara Kowalzig, and David Levene). The Religious Studies program, in which Prof. Becker holds a joint position, offers graduate courses primarily in contemporary critical theories of religion and social life, whereas NYU’s Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies offers a number of courses on Ancient Near Eastern, Israelite, Second-Temple, and Rabbinic history (Faculty members include Daniel Fleming, Alex Jassen, Jeffrey Rubenstein, Lawrence Schiffman, Mark Smith). The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) has several faculty members with an interest in ancient religion (e.g., Beate Pongratz-Leisten), and many of their weekly events feature topics drawn from the religious cultures of antiquity. There are additional faculty specializing in ancient religions in the consortium partner institutions, CUNY and Fordham University.