The Women's Studies in Religion (WSR) program at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) underscores GTU's enduring commitment to advancing women's studies in theology and religion. The program builds upon a strong foundation established by GTU’s member schools, affiliates, and community centers, focusing on the academic exploration and support of women’s roles in religion.
WSR celebrates the pioneering contributions of women faculty in theological and religious disciplines, highlighting their innovative research and leadership. It offers a variety of enriching opportunities, including WSR Speaks, a platform for critical conversations, mentoring events to foster professional growth, student conferences that showcase emerging scholarship, and faculty symposiums that encourage collaborative research and dialogue.
Through these initiatives, the program promotes intellectual engagement, advocacy, and mentorship, creating a vibrant space for scholarly inquiry and community building.
Program Info
The program for Women's Studies in Religion affirms the Graduate Theological Union's long-standing commitment to women's studies in theology and religion.
Certificate Requirements
The Women’s Studies in Religion certificate program is designed so it is possible to complete the requirements in a single year.
WSR Courses and Program Forms
Forms, suggested courses, and other helpful information related to the Women's Studies in Religion program.
Upcoming Events
Eve's Eden: A WSR Special Event at the Doug Adams Gallery
Join the Women's Studies in Religion (WSR) program for a special event showcasing Eve's Eden, a stunning exhibition by artists Julia Vogl and Gabriella Willenz. This unique experience invites you to explore themes of feminist theology, art, and culture through thought-provoking installations and creative expressions.
📅 Date: Wednesday, February 5th 2025, 3:00pm to 4:30pm
📍 Location: Doug Adams Gallery, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA
Celebrate the intersection of art, spirituality, and feminist scholarship with the WSR community.
Masculinities and Religion –Traditions and Transformations
Explore the complex intersections of gender, religion, and society in our thought-provoking panel discussion, Masculinities and Religion – Traditions and Transformations.
📅 Date: Wednesday, March 12th 2025, 5:00pm to 6:30pm
We are honored to welcome distinguished scholars Dean Dr. Christopher Ocker, Dr. Ahmed Khater, Dr. Sam Shonkoff and Dr. Adam Braun. This panel will delve into the diverse expressions and evolving roles of masculinity within religious traditions, examining how they are being challenged, reinterpreted, and transformed in contemporary contexts.
Join us for an evening of deep insight and dynamic dialogue facilitated by Dr. Kirsi Stjerna.
Circle Time with WSR: Liberative ways of Being in an Uncertain World
Join us for a Sharing Circle as we explore how to keep our light glowing within our communities and scholarship. How do we stay grounded, connected, and inspired in times of uncertainty? Together, we’ll engage in reflection, dialogue, and collective wisdom.
📅 Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
🕧 Time: 12:30 PM
📍 Location: GTU Boardroom
🍽 Lunch Provided
Introducing the New Chair of the Women's Studies in Religion program
Welcome Dr. Kirsi Stjerna
The incoming Chair of the WSR is Rev. Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, The First Lutheran, Los Angeles/Southwest California Synod Professor of Lutheran History and Theology, PLTS of California Lutheran University. She is from Finland, an ordained Lutheran pastor, and a docent at the Helsinki University, Finland. She serves at the Core Doctoral Faculty in the departments of the HCSR as well as Theology and Ethics at GTU. She has been committed to women and gender studies as a teacher and an author in the fields of Christian theology and history. Women’s voices, experiences, and theological texts are engaged in all her classes. Her dissertation on Santa Birgitta from Sweden (Boston University) broke ground in analyzing a medieval woman’s writings as a theological source. Her latest book project, “Women Reformers of Early Modern Europe: Profiles, Texts, and Contexts” is a collaboration of over 30 international scholars, from the intersecting fields of theology, history, and women and gender studies. It marks a milestone for the scholarship on the history of the reformations and on the protestant theological traditions.
Explore
Previous Annual WSR Mentoring Evenings
Explore
Annual GTU Student Conferences on Women and Religion
GTUx Presents
Women's Bodies and the Sacred
Upcoming and Past Courses
Suggested WSR Certificate Courses
WSR Speaks Lectures 2021-2022
Watch the WSR Speaks Lectures Now
WSR Faculty Chair Lectures
Watch the WSR Faculty Chair Lectures Now
Faculty and Staff
