Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies

Program Description

The goal of the interdisciplinary religious studies program is to educate the undergraduate student with an understanding of the methods and subject matter of the study of religion. Generally, the program will serve the interests of liberal education by developing in the student the skills of careful and critical reading, writing, thinking, and speaking. More specifically, the program will provide a comprehensive and clear exposure to the variety of religious expression world-wide, a critical understanding of personal, social, and cultural dimensions of religion, and a thorough preparation for students who intend to pursue graduate or professional study.

A student who majors in religious studies will have a general knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the major world religions and an in-depth knowledge of at least one major religious tradition, will be skilled in the critical analysis of religion as a cultural phenomenon and in the ability to draw connections among different historical and cultural contexts of religion, will have a general knowledge of two different methodological approaches to the study of religion and an in-depth knowledge of at least one of these approaches, and will be well-prepared for graduate or professional study.