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Religion and Science

with Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour


January 21st - March 11th, 2026

 

Lectures recorded Wednesdays 2:30 PM EST

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When Worlds Collide, Things Get Weird

 

A medieval praying robot. Telescopes on sacred Hawaiian mountains. Neuroscientists mapping mysticism. When Religion and Science intersect, we often come face to face with questions about who we are, where we come from, and what is even happening right now.

Register now for Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour’s new 8-week seminar, beginning Wednesday, January 21st!

Designed for curious minds, this 8-week seminar will be equal parts informative and mind-blowing. Your guide will be Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour, a scholar and comedian who has taught religion and science classes at universities and developed related projects for Religion Dispatches, Religion for Breakfast, Crash Course, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. We'll explore questions like:

  • What have scientific theories of religion said about the origin of religion?
  • Do religions evolve like species?
  • What do contemporary scholars say about the relationship between religion and science?
  • Is there a religious part of the brain?
 

 

selected

  • ✔ 8 live 90-minute lectures
  • ✔ Class Drive with Readings and Materials
  • ✔ Community Forum
  • ✔ Weekly Challenges
  • ✔ Lifetime Access, including Community
  •  

Class Schedule

Your Textbook

Your Instructor

Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour

Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour is a scholar of religion, storyteller, and editor who lives in Durham, North Carolina. He received Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the College of Charleston, an M.Phil in the History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge University, and a Masters and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. He worked as the Consulting Scholar of Religion and Science for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where he helped develop the “Discovery and Revelation,” exhibition and co-author the exhibit book.

As a writer and editor, Andrew has covered stories about religion and science for outlets including Crash Course, Slate, On Being, Religion Dispatches, and the Revealer. He was the co-founder, with Michael Schulson, of The Cubit, the managing editor of Harvard Divinity School’s Cosmologics magazine, and a consulting producer for the Ministry of Ideas podcast’s Illuminations series. Andrew is a managing editor for the Smithsonian and Religion for Breakfast, and the co-founder of the Religion Department.

Andrew lives in Durham, NC with his wife and kids, where he likes to do improv and ride bikes.

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Class Text Book

Get Your Book Here

Your Instructor

Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour

Dr. Andrew Ali Aghapour is a scholar of religion, storyteller, and editor who lives in Durham, North Carolina. He received Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the College of Charleston, an M.Phil in the History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge University, and a Masters and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. He worked as the Consulting Scholar of Religion and Science for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where he helped develop the “Discovery and Revelation,” exhibition and co-author the exhibit book.

As a writer and editor, Andrew has covered stories about religion and science for outlets including Crash Course, Slate, On Being, Religion Dispatches, and the Revealer. He was the co-founder, with Michael Schulson, of The Cubit, the managing editor of Harvard Divinity School’s Cosmologics magazine, and a consulting producer for the Ministry of Ideas podcast’s Illuminations series. Andrew is a managing editor for the Smithsonian and Religion for Breakfast, and the co-founder of the Religion Department.

Andrew lives in Durham, NC with his wife and kids, where he likes to do improv and ride bikes.

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What students are saying:

"Andrew is fantastic at explaining complex concepts in intuitive and accessible ways. He's hilarious and very supportive and helpful as a teacher."

Former student, UNC Chapel Hill

“The whole class was organized in a really wonderful way that taught an encompassing understanding of religion and science. Each week we got to explore new ideas and challenge our preconceived notions of religion and science in unique ways in a non-threatening and open environment."

Former student,

UC Santa Barbara

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and all the materials. The processes and theories that I learned are ones that will deeply shape my future and trajectory. Andrew was an excellent professor. Would recommend this course (and professor) to anyone."

Former student, 

UNC 421: Religion and Science

"I absolutely love Professor Aghapour and this class. I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is so intelligent and kind, and I can honestly say that I learned more in this class than possibly any other class that I have taken."

Former student, 

UNC 421: Religion and Science

Frequently Asked Questions

An online seminar brought to you by Religion for Breakfast

From Andrew Henry's YouTube channel about the academic study of religion, the Religion Department connects world experts of religion to global learning communities. Our classes are designed to be engaging, entertaining, and to accommodate multiple learning styles and schedules.

Enrollment is now open!

Member Tuition

$100

  • Lifetime Access to Lectures, Materials, and Community

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Members' Catalog

Tuition

$200

  • Lifetime Access to Lectures, Materials, and Community

🎁  You can send this as a gift at checkout!

 

 

  

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Tuition + Membership

$199

after 50% seminar discount

  • Lifetime Access to Lectures, Materials, and Community

  • One Year of Membership ($99) including:

    • 50% off Seminars
    • Guest Lectures 
    • Guided Readings w/ Andrew Henry
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