The Institute for the Global Study of Religion (IGSOR) exists in order to promote interest in the study and practice of religion within the Canisius College community and the wider community of Western New York. Affiliated with the department of Religious Studies and Theology at Canisius, its programs and activities facilitate the academic study of religions across the world, promote the Catholic identity of Canisius College, and assist in the Jesuit pastoral mission to educate men and women for the service of faith and the promotion of justice.
1. A major lecture series, the Joseph J. Naples Conversations in Christ and Culture Lecture and Performance Series was launched in 2000 and has been tremendously successful. This series has sponsored major lectures each year by scholars of international reputation and has drawn large audiences to our Campus. Past speakers include:
- Fr. Dean Brackley, S.J., University of Central America in El Salvador
- Lisa Sowle Cahill, Boston College
- Rev. Francis Clooney, S.J, Harvard University
- Dr. James Cone, Union Theological Seminary, NYC
- Dr. Martin Cook, Air Force Academy, Boulder, CO
- Dr. John Dominic Crossan, Depal University
- Dr. Lawrence Cunningham, Notre Dame University
- Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Fordham University
- Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Kolel Center in Toronto
- Joseph Grieboski, Institute on Religion and Public Policy
- Dolores C. Huerta, Co-founder and Vice President Emeritus
- Elizabeth Johnson, Fordham University
- Gustav Niebuhr, Syracuse University
- Rabbi David Novak, University of Toronto
- Rev. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., Ignatius Productions
- Rev. John Pawlikowski, University of Chicago
- David Robinson, National Director Pax Christi
- Dr. Ronald Sider, Palmer Theological Seminary
- Linda E. Thomas, Lutheran School of Theology
- George Weigel, Ethics and Policy Center Washington D.C.
- Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University
2. Each summer the IGSOR sponsors month long summer immersion courses in third world locations. Small groups of students have been exposed to the religious cultures of the Philippines, Mexico, El Salvador, and India. This summer the course will be in China. For more information click here.