About the Program
Professors: Allan Nadler, James Pain, Karen Pechilis, Charles Selengut (adjunct), Christopher Taylor (chair)
Associate Professor: Darrell Cole
Assistant Professors: Jonathan Golden, Louis Hamilton
In the broadest terms, the modern study of religion as part of a liberal education involves a comparative appreciation of the various ways different peoples, across space and through time, have developed their religious ideas, values, systems, beliefs, rituals, and traditions in response to fundamental questions of human existence. The study of religion, as with any modern academic discipline, strives for rigorous, systematic, intellectual inquiry into various aspects of religious thought, expression, practice, and experience.
The study of religion is both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature. It employs the approaches and methods of various disciplines, such as sociology, philosophy, ethics, history, textual criticism, psychology, and anthropology, to understand the role of religion in both human experience and thought.
Since comparative analysis is crucial to the modern study of religion, both majors and minors in Religious Studies are expected to have a general understanding of several religious traditions and an extensive knowledge of at least two. In addition, students should acquire an understanding of the various methods that characterize the modern study of religion.
While some majors and minors in Religious Studies pursue graduate study or careers in fields directly associated with religion, the majority pursue further graduate and professional education or careers in areas not directly associated. Undergraduate majors in Religious Studies have long been valued by law schools, business schools, medical schools, public policy programs, and a wide variety of graduate programs and employers.
Majors and minors should be designed in close consultation with a faculty adviser.
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Requirements for the Major (44 credits)
I. REL 3/Introduction to Religion (4) (normally taken during the first or second year)
II. Ten intermediate- and upper-level courses (40 credits) in Religious Studies,
A. Two courses from each of the four categories into which courses in the department are divided:
i. Religious Traditions of the World
ii. Sacred Texts, Interpretation, and Modern Textual Studies
iii. Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics
iv. History, Society, and Religion
B. Three courses in each of two distinct religious traditions (e.g., Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity)
C. One additional comparative course
D. One seminar
With the approval of their faculty adviser, majors may offer up to two courses (8 credits) in cognate disciplines toward their major.
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Requirements for the Minor (24 credits)
I. REL 3/Introduction to Religion (4)
II. At least five intermediate- and upper-level courses (20 credits) in religious studies, including at least one course each from three of the four categories indicated in II.A. above.
Minors may, with the concurrence of their faculty adviser, offer one course (4 credits) in a cognate discipline toward the minor in religion.
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