Dr. Leonard Mckinnis

Associate Professor

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Biography

Leonard C. McKinnis is an Associate Professor jointly appointed to the Department of African American Studies and the Department of Religion at Illinois University. He specializes in African American religions and actively serves in leadership roles within the broader academic community, including positions in the American Academy of Religion and as General Editor of the Religion, Race, and Ethnicity Series for NYU Press. His research focuses on the intersection of Black religion, Black theologies, liberation, New Religious Movements, and ethnographic approaches to the study of religion. His notable publication, 'Black Coptic Church: Race, Imagination, New Religion' (NYU Press, 2023), aims to expand scholarly narratives surrounding African American religion, particularly beyond mainstream Protestant groups. This work discusses the performative imagination within the context of Blackness and seeks to illuminate the multifaceted religious experiences and expressions of African Americans.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

— Present

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Jointly appointed to the Department of African American Studies and Department of Religion.

Courses

REL 134: Religion, Race, Resistance

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.