A major in Religious Studies provides an opportunity for more extensive and intensive exploration of the Christian experience. It is also an excellent focal point for the liberal arts and can serve as a preparation for Christian service, such as Christian education, and for graduate study in Religion, Ministry, or other related disciplines.
Religious Studies majors have enrolled in seminaries such as Andover-Newton Theological Seminary, Boston College, Hartford Seminary, and Yale Divinity School. Graduates have gone into ministerial roles as campus ministers, ordained hospice and hospital chaplains, and parish ministry. They also work in religious education, counseling, and social work.
Program Outcomes
The student will:
- Read and interpret the Bible and sacred texts of other religions
- Read critically and interpret faith-related documents and religious symbols
- Compare and contrast living faith traditions through their elements of faith, such as morality, beliefs, rituals, and practices of prayer and worship
- Demonstrate awareness of the challenge and opportunity of religious diversity in today’s world
- Understand religious traditions of social justice, service to others, and global responsibility
- Understand women’s spiritual development, faith journeys, leadership, and contributions to religious thought and practice
- Articulate the student’s own faith journey and position in relationship to other perspectives
Admission and Continuation Requirements
Students are accepted as majors upon approval of the department faculty and only after completing six credits in Religious Studies with an average grade of C+ or higher in these courses. To continue as a major, a student is expected to maintain at least a C average in the major courses. Students who wish to pursue graduate degrees in Theology or Religious Studies should study at least one modern language and consider studying classical languages — Latin and Greek.
