REL 3161 Special Topics: Spirituality and Sustainability with Prof. Pliske
REL 3194 The Holocaust with Dr. Stier
REL 3398 Sacred Rhythms with Prof. McDaniel
REL 4063 Faith in Social Justice with Prof. Smith
REL 4081 Non-Violence and Peace Studies with Prof. Samani Rohini
REL 4173 Technology and Human Values with Dr. Bauman
REL 4363 Sufism: Islamic Mysticism and Spirituality with Visitor Instructor Prof. Grenier
REL 4364 Interpreting the Quran: Gender and Jihab with Dr. Akhtar
REL 4937 Special Topics: Religion & Science Fiction with Prof. Smith
RLG 5937 The Social Sciences Humanities and the Study of Religions with Professor Bidegain
RLG 6935 Seminar in Sacred Text with Dr. Akhtar
Iqbal Akhtar thought living his faith should translate into buying a home in a community where he could do the most good.
301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 33139 305-672-5044
FIU Adjunct Professor Jeanette Smith arranges a surprise video featuring a “Game of Thrones” actor for her students, and then her students turn around and participate in a surprise gratitude video to thank her for being passionate and making a difference.
Florida International University
Modesto A. Maidique Campus
Deuxieme Maison, Room DM 302
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami FL 33199
Tel: 305-348-2186
Fax: 305-348-1879
Email: religion@fiu.edu
One of Venu Mehta’s biggest challenges as an international student at FIU was missing her family in India, particularly her mother, Dr. Purnima Mehta, whom she considers to be one of her greatest influences and mentors.
A strong sense of determination and dedication to learning helped see her through to earn her master’s degree in religious studies, adding to the Ph.D. in multiculturalism through literature education she had already earned in the Gujarat state of India.
Upon her arrival at FIU, Venu immediately stood out to her professors, who were impressed by the cutting-edge social science research she had already done on the Jain community and the American Jain diaspora.
Venu has published an award-winning primer for English speakers to learn the Gujarati language, based on her work as a Fulbright Scholar at Indiana University, Bloomington.
At FIU, she assisted her professors with an effort to catalogue another ancient language, Kacchi, for which there are few dictionaries in North America or Europe. Her work earned her induction into Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for religious studies and theology, for which she is currently president. She also founded the Preksha Meditation Club, bringing a central practice of Jain spirituality to FIU students.
Following graduation, Venu plans to continue her studies at the University of Florida, where she will pursue her Ph.D. in religious studies.
Department of Religious Studies