My name is Andrew William Lee. I am currently a DLitt (Doctor of Letters) candidate in the Arts and Letters graduate program at Drew University (Madison, NJ). I came to Drew from Georgia State University where I earned my Master of Arts in Religious Studies in 2017. My interests in Religious Studies are broadly concerned with the ways in which modern religion and spirituality intersect, and interact, with other dimensions of (popular) culture oft perceived as secular.
What was your most memorable experience in the Religious Studies department at GSU?
I would have to say my most memorable experience was learning how to build meaningful, professional relationships. I think this can be a difficult thing to do in some cases, but my experience in the Religious Studies department was positive, encouraging, and, ultimately, rewarding. I received only genuine motivation from the staff and faculty when making it clear that I wanted to continue my academic pursuits beyond the formative experience in the department.
What have you been working on since leaving GSU?
I am currently at work on a dissertation tentatively titled “Destined to Become Other: Genesis and Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge, Pandrogeny, and the Late Modern Resolution of Body, Art, and Religion.” This project is an extension of the thesis work I completed as a graduate student in the Religious Studies Department at GSU.
Since many of the regional, national, and international academic conferences have already made plans to hold congress virtually in 2021, I have taken the opportunity to propose papers to a variety of conferences. So far I have been accepted to present at four conferences in the spring, including the Southeast Commission for the Study of Religion’s (SECSOR) annual conference.
How has an MA in Religious Studies helped you in your current work or projects?
Although the program I am currently in has a strong interdisciplinary focus, my background in Religious Studies has been the lodestar for guiding my current project as it incorporates and benefits from (and hopefully contributes to) other disciplines and methodologies. I feel fortunate to have chosen a project that allows me to engage with various disciplines, as there is a noticeable trend (at least to me) toward more and more interdisciplinary communication within, and outside of, the humanities. Upcoming conferences ranging from American popular culture to international ethnology have accepted space for my work, and I think the study of religion is something that connects these in deeply engaging ways.
Any advice for prospective students considering a degree in Religious Studies?
My advice would be to think deeply about how a personal interest or passion can become a scholarly project. And to understand that an expert’s take on a matter is not necessarily the final word; you can meaningfully contribute to the conversation. And to critically pay attention to what is going on in your community and the world. Religious Studies is a receptive discipline.