Mark Berkson

Mark Berkson serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion at Hamline University, teaching courses in Asian religions (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, Hindu), Islam, and comparative religion.

Education

• PhD in Religious Studies, Stanford University
• MA in East Asian Studies, Stanford University
• BA, Princeton University

Research Interests

Berkson's scholarship emphasizes interdisciplinary humanistic analysis of religious traditions. His core focus areas include:

• Confucian and Daoist philosophical systems
• Cross-cultural perspectives on death and dying
• Ethical frameworks regarding non-human animals
• Interfaith dialogue methodologies

He advocates approaching religions through deep textual engagement while balancing appreciative understanding with critical examination of tensions within traditions.

Publications

• "Cultural Literacy for Religion" (The Great Courses lecture series)
• "Death, Dying and the Afterlife: Lessons from World Cultures" (The Great Courses lecture series)

Awards

No scientific awards documented in source materials.

Academic Leadership

• Department Chair overseeing curriculum development
• Program Director for Religion studies

Teaching Philosophy

Berkson identifies as a "scholar-practitioner" integrating personal religious commitment with academic rigor. His methodology combines philosophical, anthropological, and psychological perspectives while prioritizing textual interpretation and critical reflection on meaning and value.