UMN Classical & Near Eastern Religions & Cultures

UMN Classical & Near Eastern Religions & Cultures CNRC offers undergraduate programs in Classics and Biblical Studies, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in Religions in Antiquity and an M.A. in Classics.

The Department of Classical and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures is devoted to the study of the interconnected cultures and languages of the ancient Mediterranean world, from the dawn of civilization in the Near East through Late Antiquity. We consider these societies and the literatures, religions and artifacts they produced as of interest in and of themselves, while recognizing that they are

sources of many modern practices, ideologies and institutions. We also regard them as a reservoir of alternative modes of thought and community, and thus as a means of reflecting on the nature and problems of the modern world. We are committed to the study of antiquity because this contributes to understanding the present and preparing the future. To understand the intellectual and cultural heritage of antiquity, we study original sources in original languages with the modern critical approaches of our disciplines. Much of our work is accordingly literary, philological and historical in character. We also ask broader questions about ancient values, beliefs, and political and social structures, with particular attention to religious communities and convictions and their legacies.

04/08/2026

CNRC is looking for a Modern Hebrew Language instructor for the 2026-2027 school year. Start your career this fall at the U of MN! Email us with any questions: [email protected]

We're accepting scholarship applications for interested undergraduates until 2/16! Thinking about going to the U next ye...
02/02/2026

We're accepting scholarship applications for interested undergraduates until 2/16! Thinking about going to the U next year? Incoming students are welcome to apply!

Learn about our scholarships, which recognize outstanding CNRC students.

Want to get a head start on your end-of-year giving? Check out our fund ahead of Give to the Max Day on November 20th.
11/17/2025

Want to get a head start on your end-of-year giving? Check out our fund ahead of Give to the Max Day on November 20th.

Early giving is open ahead of Give to the Max Day 2025!

The Exploring Assumptions Series is back with Peter van Dommelen. We hope you can make it to his lecture tomorrow:
10/06/2025

The Exploring Assumptions Series is back with Peter van Dommelen. We hope you can make it to his lecture tomorrow:

Join the Center for Premodern Studies and the department of Classical & Near Eastern Religions & Cultures on October 7th at 4:30 PM, at 216 Pillsbury Room 35 for a lecture by Dr. Peter van Dommelen (Anthropology, Brown University) on social memory and cultural entanglements in the ancient Mediterran...

The Future of the Past Lab Welcomes David van Schoor from 9/22 - 9/26! Make sure to save the date for his public lecture...
09/10/2025

The Future of the Past Lab Welcomes David van Schoor from 9/22 - 9/26! Make sure to save the date for his public lecture on 9/24:

David van Schoor visits the Future of the Past Lab to discuss his experiences translating Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. How...

Dr. Rachel Kreiter will be visiting us as an Exploring Assumptions Fellow this February! Make sure to mark your calendar...
01/22/2025

Dr. Rachel Kreiter will be visiting us as an Exploring Assumptions Fellow this February! Make sure to mark your calendars for her talk on 2/6!

Join the CPS and CNRC communities for a lecture by Dr. Rachel Kreiter (Curator, Vanderbilt University Art Gallery)

It's Give to the Max Day! Help us support undergraduates by giving to the Elizabeth Belfiore Memorial Scholarship Fund:
11/21/2024

It's Give to the Max Day! Help us support undergraduates by giving to the Elizabeth Belfiore Memorial Scholarship Fund:

Crowdfunding for University of Minnesota causes

Give to the Max day is coming 11/21! Read an update on the department from our Chair and consider giving to the Elizabet...
11/19/2024

Give to the Max day is coming 11/21! Read an update on the department from our Chair and consider giving to the Elizabeth Belfiore Memorial Scholarship:

Read an update from Chair Steve Ahearne-Kroll ahead of Give to the Max day on November 21st.

Address

216 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN
55455

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm

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