Recap of the 2024 Religious Studies Student Symposium
At the start of the symposium, those arriving were welcomed by members of the organizing team and provided with symposium bags and Bochum Guides. This was an opportunity for some of the participants to get to know each other. At 4 pm, the symposium participants were officially welcomed with a welcome speech in English and German by the two main organizers of the symposium, Meret Henne and Anna Lohmann, and the Dean of Studies Jens Schlamelcher.
Immediately after the reception, the first three panels started, which dealt with Buddhism in video games, Buddhism in postmodern Germany and magical realism in everyday life. At the end of the day, everyone set off together on a trip to Bermuda3eck and stopped off at Sausalitos. Here they had chips and burgers and played a fun game to get to know each other. The first day of the symposium was already a complete success.
Cultural trip and competition of bright minds
The second day of the symposium began with an excursion to the LWL Museum of Archaeology and Culture in Herne. There was a guided tour the museum specially planned for the symposium participants. It was particularly great that the LWL Museum, with its regionally oriented exhibition, offered guests from outside and also from here an insight into Westphalian archaeology and cultural history.
After returning to CERES, several panels were scheduled for the rest of the day, which covered a wide variety of topics and provided impressions of the various research interests of the symposium participants and the different research areas of religious studies. There were talks on religion in the anime Fullmetal Alchemist, religion in the early Tang Dynasty in China, religion in fantasy literature, identity constructions in neofolk or the online preservation of Russian Orthodox communities, among many other exciting presentations.
The second day of the symposium was rounded off with a games evening and pub quiz. Over snacks and drinks, participants had to answer questions such as how many Olympic gods there are and distinguish between quotes from the Bible, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and the Koran - the latter turned out to be surprisingly challenging. There were even two winners at the end of the evening!
From workshops to watchparty
Saturday also started with further lectures by students. Lunch was followed by two workshops. CERES staff members Dr. Maren Freudenberg and Dr. Gina Derhard-Lesieur offered sessions on “American Megachurches” and “Religion in Roman Everyday Life”. The workshops were exciting and group work phases made it possible to exchange ideas and make new contacts. It was particularly fascinating to observe how students from other universities work scientifically. No supporting programme was planned for this evening, but there were one or two privately organized ESC watch parties ;-).
On Sunday, the symposium was rounded off by a panel on the topic of 'Perspectives after studying religious studies', which offered the opportunity to ask questions about the doctorate and career development opportunities. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to all participants around midday. It was an eventful and enjoyable four days with stimulating discussions, a lively exchange about the study of religious studies and many new friendships. We are looking forward to the next symposium - next time as guests ;)
For more impressions of the symposium, it is definitely worth taking a look at our YouTube channel: Here you can find a vlog about the Religious Studies Student Symposium 2024 by Dunja Sharbat Dar and Anna Kira Hippert
Text by Helena Ewert, photos partly by Maximilian Hoffmann
Link to the page of the Student Symposium 2024 (more photos, program etc.)
