Eva Pascal Associate Professor of Religious Studies

Bio

Ph.D. Boston University
M.Div. Harvard University
B.A. La Sierra University

I have a PhD in Religious Studies from Boston University. From 2006-2010 I taught classes on Christianity and Buddhism, world religions, and theology at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. My research interests include the history of Christianity in Asia and encounters with other religions, especially Buddhism. My second area of research explores the intersection of religion and development. I also oversee the multimedia site Old & New in Shona Religion.

Areas of Expertise:
World Christianity, Asian Christianity, Christian – Buddhist encounters, Christianity and World Religions in Asia, Buddhism, mission history, early modern Christianity, religion and development

Courses I Teach:
Varieties of Christianity
World Christianity
Christianity & World Religions in Dialogue
Buddhism
In the classroom I enjoy exploring with students how studying diverse religious communities enhances and challenges cross-cultural knowledge, and fosters cross-cultural empathy.

Research

My current research looks at Christian-Buddhist historical interaction and exchange in Southeast Asia. My current project explores early modern missionaries and their contribution to the construction of Buddhism as a distinct religion.

Awards & Recognition

I’m a Research Fellow at the Center for Global Christianity & Mission. Recent awards include the Religion and Race Fellowship at Boston University; and the Center for the Humanities Fellowship Award at Boston University.

In February 2018 I gave talk at Cornell University for the Southeast Asia Program Gatty Series entitled “‘Religious Like Us’: Southeast Asia in Early Modern Missionary Constructions of Buddhism”

Recent News

Eva Pascal, instructor of religious studies, on February 1, 2018 gave an invited lecture at the Southeast Asia Program Gatty Lecture Series, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY entitled: “Religious Like Us’: Southeast Asia in Early Modern Missionary Constructions of Buddhism.”  On April 7, 2018, Eva was elected Vice President of the New England-Canadian Maritimes Region of the American Academy of Religion (NEEMAR). Said Eva, “I hope to support the work of the organization in fostering scholarship on religion. I also intend to creatively contribute to this vision by enhancing public knowledge and engagement with religion. Teaching at a liberal arts college, I also hope to help find ways to generate interest and engagement from undergraduate students …”
(posted June 2018)