Religious Studies
Major and minor offered

The overarching purpose of the religious studies department is to introduce students to the academic study of religion using a variety of -methodological and theoretical approaches. The department educates students to be responsible global citizens by emphasizing the key role religion plays in history, politics, culture, and the human search for ultimate meaning and values. On occasion or by arrangement, the department also offers Greek and Hebrew to interested students, but these are not part of the major or minor.

The department’s specific aims are (1) to encourage an interdisciplinary perspective to analyze religion’s complexity; (2) to train students in the application of the key interpretive approaches in religious studies; (3) to provide a broad understanding of religion as a human phenomenon; (4) to comprehend the interaction of religion with society and culture; (5) to promote independent study and research to prepare students who are interested in continuing in the field of religion.

To accomplish these goals, the department offers introductory courses in the study of religion as well as several upper-division courses that cover a wide range of religious traditions. These include courses that use a variety of analytical tools. In addition, majors are required to take a Senior-Year Experience that allows them to apply their methodological tools to the traditions they have learned. Majors are also encouraged to spend at least one semester abroad, gaining personal experience in one or more religious traditions under study.

Most students who major in religious studies do so out of a desire for a broad liberal arts education. A concentration in religious studies is an ideal way to develop an inquiring mind, an open-minded perspective, and an appreciation for cultural diversity and human spirituality.

Major Requirements

Ten units are required within the field of religious studies. Majors are required to take the following courses. With the permission of the department chair, certain courses may count in a category other than the ones in which they are listed.

1. Religious Studies 100: Mystery and Meaning: An Introduction to the Study of Religion.

2. Three courses that survey the various religious traditions. Students may take two courses from Group I and one from Group II, or vice versa.
Group I: 221,222,223,226, 277
Group II: 224,225,231

3. One course in scripture: 205 or 206.

4. One comparative course: 288, 331 ,370.

5. One topical course:266, 267, 307, 339, 380.

6. One additional course from any category. This requirement may be satisfied by a related course from another department with approval of the chair of this department.

7. Religious Studies 360: Majors Seminar.

8. Senior-Year Experience (489/490). This is a one-semester independent research project in which seniors explore a theme or topic of their choice with a faculty member of the department in the second semester of their senior year.

Minor Requirements

A minor consists of five courses in religious studies: Religious Studies 100; 200-level Eastern religious traditions course (#2, Group I above); a 200-level Western religious traditions course (#2, Group II above); and any two other courses of the student’s choice. Religious Studies 212, Native American Religion, may satisfy either the Eastern or Western traditions requirement.

Honors

To receive honors in religious studies, a student must satisfy the requirements for the major and, in addition, must meet the following two requirements: (1) a 3.5 cumulative GPA in the department and (2) a departmentally approved honors project taken as Religious Studies 498 or 499. See also Honors in the Curriculum chapter of this Catalog.

Associate Professors

Michael Robert Greenwald, B.A., Pennsylvania; M.A.H.L., Hebrew Union; Ph.D., Boston
Associate Professor of Religious Studies

Mark MacWilliams, B.A., Syracuse; M.A., Indiana; Ph.D., Chicago
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of Department

Kathleen Self, Ph.D., University of Chicago Divinity School
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies