Dr. Josef Sorett

Columbia University
Assistant Professor of Religion and African American Studies

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Josef (pronounced Yo-sef) Sorett is an assistant professor of Religion and African-American Studies at Columbia University. He is an interdisciplinary historian of religion in America, with a particular focus on black communities and cultures in the United States. His research and teaching interests include American religious history; African American religions; hip hop, popular culture and the arts; gender and sexuality; and the role of religion in public life. Josef earned his Ph.D. in African American Studies from Harvard University in 2008; and he holds a B.S. from Oral Roberts University and a M.Div. from Boston University. He has published essays and reviews in Culture and Religion, Callaloo, the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and PNEUMA: Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

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Josef is currently at work on two book projects: a monograph that offers a religious history of debates regarding racial aesthetics; and an edited volume that explores the sexual politics of black churches.  Balancing research with a passion for the classroom and community engagement, before joining the faculty at Columbia Josef taught courses at Harvard, Tufts, Princeton and Medgar Evers College (CUNY). , in addition to his academic pursuits, he maintains an active commitment to public service through his work with faith-based, non-profit and policy organizations. Josef’s commentary and writing has also appeared in such popular media outlets as NPR, CNN, ABC News Spirituality, and the Washington Post.

 

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Contact Info:

Josef Sorett
Columbia University
Department of Religion
80 Claremont Ave.
New York, NY 10027
212-851-4141
js3119@columbia.edu