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.
The Institute for the Global Study of Religion (IGSOR) is currently focused on two programs:
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:
- Rev. Francis Clooney, S.J, Harvard University
- Dr. Lawrence Cunningham, Notre Dame University
- Rabbi David Novak, University of Toronto
- Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Kolel Center in Toronto
- Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Fordham University
- Fr. Dean Brackley, S.J., University of Central America in El Salvador
- Dr. Ronald Sider, Palmer Theological Seminary
- Dr. James Cone, Union Theological Seminary, NYC
- Elizabeth Johnson, Fordham University
- Dr. John Dominic Crossan, Depal University
- Dr. Martin Cook, Air Force Academy, Boulder, CO
- David Robinson, National Director Pax Christi
- Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University
- George Weigel, Ethics and Policy Center Washington D.C.
2. The second on going program within the Institute is the "Religion on the Road Less Traveled." As part of his Peter Canisius Distinguished Professorship, Dr. Timothy Wadkins has directed a series of summer immersion courses in third world locations for the past six years. Small groups of students have been exposed to the Christian cultures of the Philippines, Mexico, El Salvador, and India. A new seminar is planned for Namibia, Africa and Bangalore, India. To read more about this program, click here (Adobe Acrobat PDF).