Who takes courses in Religious Studies?
Approximately 2,000 students are enrolled in Religious Studies courses at ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. They come from many different backgrounds and a wide range of academic disciplines. Given the interdisciplinary nature of Religious Studies, we welcome a broad diversity of voices. Whether you are studying English or Engineering you have something to contribute to our classes!
Although they each have their own motivations for taking our courses, all of our students emerge more informed about the world. They become critical thinkers, able to analyze cultures, evaluate current affairs, and make responsible decisions in a global context. Students learn how to investigate and assess the impact of religion in today's world and to express complex ideas in essays, projects and presentations. Everyone can learn something in a Religious Studies course.
The courses offered by the School of Religion survey the major religious traditions of Europe, Asia and the Middle East in their cultural context with in-depth study of traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and the Religions of Native Peoples. Our courses also examine how Religion impacts a wide variety of cultural expressions such as religious belief in its relation to science and morality and in its literary expression. In Religious Studies classes you may find yourself studying literature, film, the environment, violence, gender, politics, sex or sport.
We offer Major, Medial and Minor Plans to dedicated students who are passionate about understanding the impact of the world's religious forces on culture and identity. We also take pride in our wide range of highly popular electives that draw on strengths that students develop in other disciplines. See our current course offerings.
To learn more about religious studies Plans, please contact our undergraduate chair, Dr. Dustin Atlas.
What will I do when I graduate?
Alumni from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ School of Religion work in a range of careers including media, law, government and business. Unlike a vocational degree that is designed to land you your first job, religious studies builds skills that last a lifetime. Along with critical thinking, writing and presenting skills, religious studies stands out because of its key differentiators. Uniquely at ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, religious studies is:
- cross cultural, so it emphasizes communicating with people who have different values from your own;
- complex, so you learn how to analyze an issue from many angles;
- controversial, so you learn how to discuss difficult issues with other people.
To learn how religious studies is helps prepare undergraduates for rewarding careers, consult our alumni profiles.
To learn more about the value of a liberal arts degree for careers of the future, read Harvard Business Review's article