The latest edition of the Religious Studies Review (RSR) housed at Rice University marks the 50th anniversary of the journal, a significant milestone for the field of religious studies. Since its establishment, RSR has been dedicated to providing comprehensive reviews of publications in the discipline, covering more than 1,000 titles annually through short and long reviews.
“It’s exciting,” said Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of Humanities and professor of religion at Rice. “It’s a major journal in that there’s really nothing like it.”
Published quarterly, RSR is renowned for its extensive reviews across various sections, including Africa; Ancient Near East; Buddhism; Christian Origins; Comparative Studies/Methodology and Theory; Digital Materials and Media; East Asia; Ethics, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Greece; Rome; Greco-Roman Period; History of Christianity: Early; History of Christianity: Modern/Global; Inner Asia; Islam; Jewish Thought; Jewish Studies; Judaism: Hellenistic through Late Antiquity; Judaism: Medieval/Early Modern; Judaism: Modern; New and Alternative Religious Movements; Oceania; Pedagogy; Philosophy of Religion; Political Theology; Psychology of Religion; Religion and Law; Religion and Science; Religion, Arts and Culture; South Asia; the Americas; and Theology.
In addition to short reviews, the journal also publishes review essays that can either stand alone or be grouped within themed special issues, serializations or symposiums.
“The publishing world moves so quickly, it’s impossible for anyone to keep up on their own to figure out what’s happening within their field,” Pinn said. “Religious Studies Review does that heavy lifting for them.”
Pinn added that RSR has played a crucial role in documenting and advancing the study of religion over the years.
“It has witnessed some of the major shifts and changes within the study of religion,” Pinn said. “Not only witnessed them, but helped to document major changes in fields, the development of new fields. It’s witnessed and helped to move along new generations of thinkers within the study of religion.”
To commemorate the anniversary, the American Academy of Religion’s Annual Meetings in November will feature a panel discussion celebrating the journal’s achievements. Additionally, a smaller celebration will be held to honor the occasion.
“Our executive editor Mark MacWilliams is stepping down after a good number of years, so we want to give folks associated with the journal an opportunity to say thank you and to wish him well,” Pinn said.
Reflecting on the significance of RSR’s home at Rice, Pinn called it a point of pride for the university.
“It is a major journal with tremendous standing within the field,” he said. “It’s essential reading for folks within the field. Because it’s on our campus, that gives Rice a certain type of relationship to religious studies and its further development.”
Learn more about RSR here.