Religious Studies

Do I have to be religious to study religion?

Students often ask, "Do I have to be religious to study religion?" The short answer is "No."

Religious Studies is the secular, academic study of the world’s religions utilizing disciplines such as history, anthropology, psychology, sociology, etc., as lenses through which to study religion. Regardless of your ultimate job or career goal, religious literacy (the understanding of others’ religious traditions and practices) is valuable for facilitating cooperative and collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues not only in workplaces but in our local communities as well.

Our courses in Religious Studies allow you to focus on a wide variety of world religions to better understand and appreciate religious traditions, as well as the impacts of their respective cultural contexts. In short, they enable students to discover dynamic ways of thinking through global perspectives, become a scholar of wisdom through the study of sacred texts, and explore hidden worlds found in ritual, symbolism, and art. A truly interesting and useful field, this program is ready for students like you. Make it happen today.