Wioleta Polinska

She currently serves as Chair, Philosophy and Religous Studies Department.   In the past, she coordinated Gender and Women's Studies Program and served as an Associate Editor of The International Journal of the Humanities. 

Her recent research and publications are in the area of Buddhist-Christian exchange, particularly as it relates to ecological, economic and psychological aspects (Buddhist-Christian Studies, The International Journal of the Humanities, Journal of Religion and Society).  Her chapter, "Food, Bodies and Ecosystems: Insights from Catholic and Buddhist Contemplative Traditions" has been published in Commun(icat)ing Bodies: Body as a Medium in Rligious Symbol Systems.  She has also published in the field of gender and religion, and religion and art.

Dr. Polinska is a member of the Executive Committee of AAUP chapter at North Central College.  She also organizes a Contemplative Series that features members of different religions who offer different forms of contemplative practices to the whole college community.  Part of the Series are mindfulness meditations, a secular form of contemplation employed in many medical and psychology centers accross the country.

Selected Scholarship

“Religion and Happiness: A Buddhist-Christian Response,” The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies 13 (2015): 67-80.

“In Defense of Frugality: Insights from Science and Green Contemplatives across Traditions,” Buddhist-Christian Studies 35 (2015): 147-161.

Food, Bodies and Ecosystems: Insights from Catholic and Buddhist Contemplative Traditions” in Commun(icat)ing Bodies: Body As a Medium in Religious Symbol Systems, ed.  Anna-Katharina Hopflinger, Stefanie Knauss, Alexander D. Ornella. Zurich, Switzerland: Theologischer Verlag, 2014.

 “In Defense of Frugality: Insights from Science and Green Contemplatives,” Buddhist-Christian Studies. Submitted. June 30, 2013; under revision.

“’Till Death Do Us Part Till Death Do Us Part’?: Buddhist Insights on Marriage,” Buddhist-Christian Studies 30 (2010): 29-40.

 “The Making and Unmaking of Prejudice: An Interchange between Psychology and Religion,” Journal of Religion and Society 11 (2009): 1-21.

 “Christian-Buddhist Dialogue on Loving the Enemy,” Buddhist-Christian Studies 27 (2007): 89-110.

”Safely Bloody? The Not so Innocent Devotion to the Passion of Christ,” The International Journal of the Humanities 5 (2007): 161-168.

“Empathy on Trial: Is Empathy Inherently Biased?” Buddhist-Christian Studies 40 (2020): 403–417. 

“Who Gets to Be Sexual and Why?: Self-Sexualization and Empowerment,” The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies 17 (2019): 27-42.

“Mindfulness Meditation as a Remedy for Reduction of White Ignorance and Its Consequences,” Buddhist-Christian Studies 38 (2018): 325-341.

“Faith and Reason in John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration” in Jahrbuch für Religionsphilosophie/Philosophy of Religion Annual 15 (2016): 27-46.

“Religion and Happiness: A Buddhist-Christian Response,” The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies 13 (2015): 67-80.

“In Defense of Frugality: Insights from ‘Green Contemplatives’ across Traditions,” Buddhist-Christian Studies 35 (2015): 147-161. 

 “Food, Bodies and Ecosystems: Insights from Catholic and Buddhist Contemplative Traditions” in Commun(icat)ing Bodies: Body As a Medium in Religious Symbol Systems, ed.  Anna-Katharina Hopflinger, Stefanie Knauss, Alexander D. Ornella. Zurich, Switzerland: Theologischer Verlag, 2014.

Courses Taught

RELG 235: Sexuality and Christianity

RELG 245: Hollywood, Religion, and Values

RELG 227: Jesus and Buddha in Dialogue

RELG 350: Gender and World Religions

RELG 330: Cross, Violence, and Resistance

IDEA 100: Authority and Freedom

RELG 100: Introduction to World Religions