Objectives
The modern field of religious studies is an important part of a
liberal arts education, allowing for the study of religious thought, ritual,
culture, history, and texts, often in a comparative context. The goal of the
Program in Religious Studies is to expose students to different scholarly and
pedagogical approaches to a variety of religious manifestations. The program
emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach and its course offerings are designed
to encourage students to deepen their understanding of religion and its manifestations
through the perspectives of different disciplines and departments. Students survey
the variety of approaches to religious studies (REL 107a) and complete courses in
at least two different religious traditions. The program fosters interaction between
its faculty and students by requiring the completion of either an independent study
or a senior essay course. The University, with its commitment to moral and social
responsibility, and the wide range of ethnic and religious traditions represented
in the student body, provides a unique context for the study of religions in a climate
of curiosity and sympathetic understanding.
How to become a program member
Students may enter the program at any time in their undergraduate careers,
but an early start maximizes a student's range of choice because a number of the courses
are only offered every other year. Ideally students should take the core course (REL 107a)
early in their career. Students should consult with their advisor and the head of the program
to map out their particular program.
This page was last modified on November 21, 2005
