معرفی
Darryl A. Smith is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Pomona College and a faculty member in The Claremont Colleges Intercollegiate Department of Africana Studies. He has been affiliated with Pomona since 2004 and is on leave for the 2025–2026 academic year. His office is located in Pearsons Hall 107, and he can be reached at darryl.smith@pomona.edu.
Education:
- Ph.D., Princeton University
- M.A., Princeton University
- M.Phil., University of Cambridge
- M.Div., Harvard University
- B.A., University of Nevada, Reno
His research centers on the philosophy of religion, African American theology, and American pragmatism, with a particular focus on African diasporic thought, signification as spiritual practice, and deathways in Ancient Egypt and Nubia. He explores how religious meaning is constructed through cultural forms such as literature, humor, and speculative fiction. His work bridges theology, race theory, and semiotics, often interrogating the intersections of religion, identity, and power.
The recent publications reflect a deep engagement with Afrofuturism, disability studies, and the metaphysical dimensions of African American letters. His articles span topics from divine dismemberment in slave narratives to the symbolic power of the Sphinx and solar cults, demonstrating a consistent interest in how marginalized communities use imaginative and religious frameworks to navigate oppression and envision liberation.
Scientific Awards:
- Wig Distinguished Professorship Award for Excellence in Teaching, Pomona College (2014)
- Scholar-in-Residence, Pomona College (2004–2005)
While student advising details are not listed, his teaching includes courses such as Critical Inquiry Seminar, The Problem of Evil: African-American Engagements with(in) Western Thought, and The Art of Living, indicating a strong mentorship role in religious and philosophical education. He has not listed any external grants, but his Scholar-in-Residence award suggests institutional research support. His interdisciplinary approach positions him at the forefront of innovative scholarship in religion and culture.
Though no formal lab or research team is mentioned, his affiliation with the Intercollegiate Department of Africana Studies implies collaborative scholarly engagement across The Claremont Colleges. His work contributes significantly to conversations on race, religion, and theopoetics in both academic and public spheres.
