Roy Whitaker (original) (raw)

Office: AL-670 | Email: [email protected]

Dr. Roy Whitaker is an Associate Professor of Africana Philosophies of Religions and American Religious Diversity in the Department for the Study of Religion at San Diego State University. He obtained a master’s degree at Princeton Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School, and a Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University.

Dr. Whitaker researches emerging and alternative religiosity and spirituality in Black America. He is currently examining (a) the nexus between hip hop and Afrofuturism; and (b) African Americans incorporation of world religions and philosophies in their search for self-realization. He develops theories and methods like intersectionality and decoloniality that center the ontologies and epistemologies of African diaspora cultures.

His articles appear in the Journal of Contemporary Religion , Journal of Ecumenical Studies, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions, and San Diego State University Press.

Dr. Whitaker enjoys hiking, playing tennis, running half-marathons, and attending musicals, and live concerts like blues player Keb’ Mo’ and jazz singer Gregory Porter.

Selected Research Interests

• Philosophy of religion
• Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Hip hop religion and philosophy
• Atheist, humanist, and secular studies
• Comparative religions and religious pluralism

Selected Courses Taught

• “World Religions” (REL-S 101)
• “American Religious Diversity” (REL-S 103)
• “Christianity” (REL-S 325)
• “Hip Hop and Religion” (REL-S 356)
• “Atheism, Humanism, and Secularism” (REL-S 380)
• “Religion and Revolution” (REL-S 390A/390B)
• “African American Religions” (REL-S 581)