Dr. Elizabeth Hurd

Professor

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Biography

Elizabeth Shakman Hurd is a professor in the Department of Religious Studies and the Department of Political Science at Northwestern University, where she serves as the chair of the Department of Religious Studies. Her research focuses on the intersection of politics and religion both at home and abroad, with specific interests in secularism, religious freedom, and the politics of American borders as well as the Middle East. Hurd is a core faculty member of the MENA Studies program and co-directs the Global Religion & Politics Research Group. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses that explore themes of religion, politics, law, and diversity, and provides mentorship to graduate students interested in international political theory and ethnography. Hurd has published extensively, including works such as 'Heaven's Wall: Religion, Borders, Global United States' and 'Politics of Secularism in International Relations.' Her recent contributions also include edited volumes on various aspects of religion and politics. She is actively involved in teaching and promoting academic resources, particularly through initiatives like the Teaching Law Religion Case Study Archive, which provides educational materials on legal cases intersecting with religion and politics around the world.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2009-09-01 — Present

Northwestern University • Evanston, IL

Teaching and researching the intersection of religion and politics.

Awards

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Northwestern Buffett Faculty Collaboration Grant

2024-04-01
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Northwestern Weinberg Center International & Area Studies Symposium Grant

2023-06-01
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International Relations/Buffett Institute International Classroom Partnering Grant

2020-01-01

Courses

Graduate and undergraduate courses on religion and politics Law and religion American borders Politics of religious diversity Middle East studies

Requirements for Northwestern University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
U.S. Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Standard PhD requirements for TGS departments including Chemistry, Physics, and Sociology.