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Rev. Matthew J. Pereira, Ph.D.

Teaching Associate Professor

History

Orcid identifier0009-0008-5800-6639 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Teaching Associate Professor
    History
  • 310-483-0862 (Work)
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TEACHING SUMMARY

Teaching Experience

Awarded the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in General Education Teaching Award in 2025, Dr. Pereira is an experienced educator who has developed and taught nearly twenty courses spanning the fields of Religious Studies and Historical Studies. His teaching focuses on helping students understand the historical development of religious traditions while also exploring their broader cultural and social contexts.

 

At Loyola Marymount University (2013–2019), Dr. Pereira taught the following courses:
(1) In Search of a Way: Spirituality, Faith, and Culture
(2) God and the Human Experience
(3) Sex and the City of God: Sexuality, Gender, and the Body
(4) History of Christianity: Middle Ages to the Present
(5) Augustine of Hippo: History and Legacy in a Global Context

 

Since arriving at Oklahoma State University in the fall of 2019, Dr. Pereira has created and taught the following courses:

(1) The Roman Empire [HIST 3063]

(2) Directed Readings in Early Christianity: Apostolic Fathers to Council of Constantinople II (553) [HIST 6100]

(3) Introduction to World Religions [REL 1103]

(4) Honors: Introduction to World Religions [REL 1103]

(5) The New Testament and Its Study [REL 2023]

(6) Religion in Film [REL 2113]

(7) Augustine’s Confessions as Spiritual Autobiography [HONR 2890]

(8) Religion and the Body: Sports, Medicine, and Sexuality [REL 2413]

(9) Jesus: Teachings, History, and Interpretation [REL 3223]

(10) Origins of the Christian Church [REL 3243]

(11) Paul and the Early Church [REL 3243]

(12) Classic Christian Writings [REL 3423]

(13) Religious Experience [REL 3513]

(14) The Religions of Native Americans [REL 3573]

(15) Global Christianity [REL 3613]

(16) American Christianity through the Colonial Period [REL 4033]

(17) Studies in Religion [REL 4050]

(18) Understanding Global Islam [REL 4213]

(19) Seminar in Biblical Studies [REL 4330]

 

In addition, Dr. Pereira regularly supervises independent studies on topics related to New Testament studies and the history of the Christian tradition.

TEACHING

  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Studies in Religion
    6 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    Independent studies, seminars and courses on selected topics in religion.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The Roman Empire (H)
    8 Jun 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    This empire provides a historical survey of the Roman Empire from the middle of the 1st century BCE through the middle of the 5th century CE. This course covers a range of interrelated themes and issues that shaped the everyday lives of Romans, including the importance of social hierarchies within and across civil affairs and family life; the various political structures and forms of governance within the empire; the dimensions of military life, conquests and expansion; economic realities; work and leisure; and various cultural aspects including the roles of religion and philosophy.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Classic Christian Writings (H)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    A study of the primary source material from representative Christian authors scattered throughout two thousand years of church history, focusing on understanding the backgrounds from which the writings emerged, and grasping the writers' key ideas. Course previously offered as REL 4413.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Honors Intro to World Religions (GH)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (GH)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (GH)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Seminar in Biblical Studies
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Selected topics in the academic study of the Bible.Offered for fixed credit, 3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Two courses in Biblical studies.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Augustine’s Confessions as Spiritual Autobiography: Honors Add-On
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    A supplemental introductory honors experience to partner concurrently with designated course(s). This course adds a different intellectual dimension to the designated course(s). Offered for fixed credit, 1 credit hour.Prerequisite(s): Honors College participation and concurrent enrollment in a designated course.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Honors: Introduction to World Religions (GH)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (GH)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The New Testament and Its Study (H)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    A study of the writings of the New Testament in their historical contexts and the methods used in their study. Emphasis interpreting selected New Testament passages. Previously offered as REL 3023.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The Religions of Native Americans (DH)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Selected tribal worldviews, belief systems and religious ceremonies as depicted in oral traditions, songs, and literature. Emphasis on Northern and Southern Plains Indians.Prerequisite(s): REL 1103.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Topics in History
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    For students interested in pursuing either a research or a reading project. Open to students in history and to others by permission of instructor. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    7 Jul 2025 - 1 Aug 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Honors Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Origins of the Christian Church (H)
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    This course will examine the letters of Paul in their historical context, focusing especially on the early Christian communities that were their audience, and how these letters helped shape beliefs and practices before Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome.Prerequisite(s): REL 2023.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Topics in History
    19 Aug 2024 - 6 Dec 2024
    For students interested in pursuing either a research or a reading project. Open to students in history and to others by permission of instructor. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Global Christianity (HI)
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    This course examines the varied expressions of the Christian tradition across the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Americas. While there are points of continuity within and across Christian communities, we focus our attention on its contemporary international diversity, as communities across the globe interpret and practice the Christian faith as shaped by their varied geographical, historical, social, political, economic and cultural contexts.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to World Religions (HI)
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    Major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam with a view to understanding the general nature of religion and its various dimensions.