Nov 23, 2024  
2024-25 Catalog 
    
2024-25 Catalog

Religion


Go to: Division of Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Linguistics  

Faculty

Michael E. Foat
Christianity.

Kambiz GhaneaBassiri
Islam. On leave 2023-25.

Chauncey Diego Francisco Handy
Judaism, Christianity.

Candace Mixon
Islam.

Kristin Scheible
Buddhism, Hinduism.

Curriculum

The academic study of religion is an integral part of the liberal arts. The aims of the curriculum are twofold: to introduce students to various religious traditions of the world-Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist, for example-and to acquaint students with a variety of recognized methodologies employed in the study of religion-philosophical, social-scientific, and historical. The department’s courses serve both to develop in students the capacity for critical assessment of religious thought and action, and to provide an adequate grounding for independent, analytic inquiry into the history of religious traditions.

The curriculum of the department reflects the staff’s commitment to a diversity of approaches in religious studies. Students majoring or minoring in religion are expected to be familiar with this methodological and theoretical spectrum, and to concentrate upon particular approaches in their research.

While the study of religion is an independent academic field, the department encourages the pursuit of interdisciplinary work in philosophy, literature, history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and other fields. The department offers standing interdisciplinary majors in religion/ancient Mediterranean studies religion/political science , and comparative race and ethnicity studies with a concentration in religion . Students who wish to pursue an ad hoc program outside of the standing interdisciplinary majors should inquire with faculty advisers and departments regarding an religion/ad hoc interdisciplinary major .

Programs

    MajorsMinors

    Courses