what can i do with a major in religious studies?

Most students who major in religious studies do so out of a desire for a broad liberal arts education.

While a number of majors have gone on to pursue graduate school in the field, other majors and minors are currently in Law School, working in a Department of Pathology or writing for a newspaper.

A major or minor in Religious Studies is an ideal way to develop an inquiring mind, flexibility of 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 (Professor Mark MacWilliams), 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. (course description)
  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:
  3. One course in scripture: 205 or 206 (course descriptions)
  4. One comparative course: 214,270,271,312,333,370 (course descriptions)
  5. One topical course: 230,261,266,267,307,308,331,339,380 ( course descriptions)
  6. One additional course from any category. This requirement may be satisfied by a related course from another department with approval of the department chair.
  7. Religious Studies 360: Majors Seminar - for Junior and Senior Majors - (course description)

minor requirements

A minor consists of five courses in religious studies: Religious Studies 100; a 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.

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. (course description)

honors (498/499)

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
  2. A departmentally approved honors project taken as Religious Studies 498 or 499

(course description)