Charles M. Townsend, PhD

Education

B.A. (Summa Cum Laude, double major) Religious Studies and Comparative Cultures (Cultural Anthropology), Whittier College

M.A. Religious Studies, University of California, Riverside

Ph.D. Religious Studies, University of California, Riverside

Courses Taught

At Oakton College: World Religions, Religious Diversity in America (created this course), Introduction to the Study of Religion (created this course), World Mythologies, plus intensive “Honors” iterations of all of these classes

At University of California, Riverside: Introduction to Asian Religions, Modern Hinduism, Religion and Science, Religious Myths and Rituals, World Religions in California, Religion and Human Rights

At Whittier College: Religions of Asia, Religious Diversity in America, Ritual Studies, New Religious Movements

Publications

See google scholar profile for a list of peer-reviewed publications and citations. Publications are mostly in the sub-field of Sikh Studies.

Academic Appointments

2022- Coordinator of the Honors Program, Oakton College

2021- Professor, Humanities and Philosophy, Oakton College

2017-2021 Associate Professor, Humanities and Philosophy, Oakton College

2010-2017 Lecturer in Religious Studies, University of California, Riverside

2010-2013 Lecturer in Religious Studies, Whittier College

Research

Broad interest and knowledge in the field of Religious Studies, published research is mostly in the sub-field of Sikh Studies. Specific research interests include: Global and Transnational Religions, World Mythologies, South Asian Religions, Sikh Studies, Religion in America, Ritual and Performance Studies, Religion and Music, New Religious Movements, Race/Ethnicity and Religion.

Service and Conference Organizing

Currently Coordinator of the Honors Program at Oakton College and curating the Religious Studies Speakers Series and the Honors Program’s ‘Emerging Scholars’ Series (inviting diverse Ph.D. students to discuss both their research and academic path).

Currently curating the chicagoreligions.com website.

Active in the American Academy of Religion, with past leadership roles as Regionally Elected Coordinator of the Western Region, on the Steering Committee of the Sikh Studies Group of the national AAR, and as Co-Chair of the Asian Religions Group of the Western Region.

Active in (co/)organizing speakers, panels, and international conferences on Sikh Studies and various topics in Religious Studies.