religion and culture

Poulomi Saha stands in front of a huge fireplace surrounded with decorative wrought iron.

Humanities

Who decides the difference between a cult and a religion? The IRS

“In some ways, the story of cults is way less sexy than outlandish beliefs or messiahs or UFOs,” says Poulomi Saha, a UC Berkeley associate professor of English who teaches a class on cults in popular culture.

Arts & culture

Why Berkeley’s Center for Jewish Studies teaches three Jewish languages

the Ratliff family of two parents and three adult children walk in the sun

Arts & culture

Ahead of ‘The White Lotus’ finale, Berkeley professor unpacks show’s Freudian themes and fantasies

Poulomi Saha stands in front of a huge fireplace surrounded with decorative wrought iron.
Audio article

Arts & culture

Berkeley Voices: As crises escalate, so does our fascination with cults

J.D. Vance and Charlie Kirk giving a talk on stage at an event with
Audio article

Berkeley Talks: A return to monarchy? Bradley Onishi on Project 2025

Audience members at a rally in support of Ukraine wave Ukrainian flags and the United States flag

With $3 million gift, Berkeley prepares to build premier Ukrainian studies program

a person stands next to an image of a book
Audio article

Berkeley Voices: How the Holocaust ends

a person wearing a colorful shirt smiles at the camera
Audio article

Gericault De La Rose knows who she is and won’t change for anyone

two images side by side: One is a book cover that reads
Audio article

Berkeley Talks: How a lie from medieval Europe spread antisemitism across the world

a son has his arm around his mom's shoulders standing outside and smiling
Audio article

Ali Bhatti on Ramadan and how his faith guided him through deep loss

three women sit on a bench in 1928
Audio article

Berkeley Talks: The rise and destruction of the Jewish fashion industry

hannah weisman headshot, waring a blue top and glasses

New leader named at The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life

Members of right-wing extremist Proud Boys group raised a wooden cross outside the state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan, on Jan. 6, 2021. An American flag and a Trump flag are in the background.

Crisis of faith: Christian nationalism and the threat to U.S. democracy

mauna kea mountain during the day with blue sky
Audio article

Berkeley Talks: Activist Pua Case on the movement to protect Mauna Kea

hebrew scrolls in a display cases

Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month at UC Berkeley

two youth and an adult dressed in traditional Ukrainian outfits

Student Vitaliia Yaremko: ‘I’m more proud than ever to be Ukrainian’

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