Religious Studies, B.A.

Religion is a pervasive, powerful, multifaceted, and enduring dimension of human experience. Religions and religious phenomena have shaped complex cultures and countless individual lives. They are influential in the world today and will continue to be so in the future. The academic study of religion is multidisciplinary, drawing upon approaches from history, literary studies, philosophy, and the social sciences. It is multicultural, exploring the beliefs, practices, and developments of particular religious communities in many different cultures. The critical study of religion fosters the education of mature and responsible citizens.

Students can major in Religious Studies. The B.A. in Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary degree, providing graduates with the knowledge base and intellectual, communication, and interpersonal skills essential to success in any career. More specifically, knowledge of religion - and the ability to think clearly and communicate effectively about it - is valuable in fields that involve public affairs, international and cross-cultural relations, religious issues and groups, or interaction with diverse individuals and populations. While it provides insights into the role of religion in personal, group, and societal identity and conflict, studying religion does not require any particular religious back ground or commitment.

If you have more questions, contact Claudia Schippert.

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Related Faculty

Bruce B. Janz
Department Chair
Research Interests: Research on Place and Space; Contemporary African Philosophy; Cultural Philosophy; Contemporary European Philosophy; Aesthetics and Visual Culture; History of Mysticism; Interdisciplinarity

Claudia Schippert
Associate Professor
Research Interests: The central focus of Schippert's research in queer theory and religion is the body: how bodies are discursively constructed in religious traditions as well as in American culture; how popular culture and various media affect representations and practices of bodies; and how these questions can be pursued in ways that call attention to the role of gender, race, and sexuality in contemporary society.