Religious Studies
World religions, theology, sacred texts, and the role of religion in society.
Who It's For
You are curious about the world's religions — their texts, practices, philosophies, and cultural impact — and want to study them academically, not devotionally. If you enjoy reading sacred texts critically, thinking about big questions of meaning and ethics, and understanding diverse worldviews, religious studies is a thoughtful, interdisciplinary pursuit. Students who are open-minded, empathetic, and enjoy analytical reading thrive here.
If you are looking for a degree that confirms or deepens your own faith, academic religious studies takes a critical, analytical approach that may feel uncomfortable. Students who prefer quantitative or applied work over textual analysis and theoretical discussion may find the curriculum frustrating.
How Your High School Classes Connect
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Common Coursework
Compare beliefs, practices, and histories of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Examine philosophical arguments about God's existence, evil, free will, and religious experience.
Compare how different religions approach moral questions about justice, war, and human dignity.
Learn anthropological, historical, and sociological approaches to studying religious phenomena.
Conduct original research on a focused religious studies topic and present your findings.
Read and analyze the Hebrew Bible's texts — creation, law, prophecy, and poetry — in historical context.
Study the Gospels, Paul's letters, and early Christian writings in their historical setting.
Trace Islam from Muhammad through empires to today — theology, law, ritual, and diversity.
Study Buddhist philosophy, meditation practices, and traditions from India across Asia.
Explore Hindu scriptures, deities, rituals, caste, and philosophical schools across millennia.
Analyze how religion shapes politics, gender roles, social movements, and community life.
Trace American religious history — Puritans, revivals, pluralism, and religion in public life.
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Is Religious Studies right for you?
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