
Religions of India
Exploring the diversity of religious thought and practice in India from its earliest manifestations in recorded history to the present.
Discern the role of religion for individuals, cultures and societies in a context of free inquiry and critical examination.
Students of religion explore some of the most fascinating areas of the human experience. Among other questions, they inquire into the many understandings of reality and the many manifestations of sacred practice across cultures. Religion is a field of study that is both personally rewarding and highly relevant in its applications to the contemporary world.
Our students learn to discern the role of religion for individuals, cultures, and societies. They study and compare the myths, symbols, and rituals of various religious traditions in a context of free inquiry and critical examination. Through their studies they come to recognize the internal coherence and distinctiveness of diverse worldviews.
In keeping with the enormous changes in the world and the increasing controversy surrounding religious issues, the department seeks to provide students the opportunity to explore religious diversity in many different historic and contemporary forms, including religions of East and South Asia, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Habits of Mind
Through our curriculum, graduates learn to read closely, think critically, discuss insightfully, and write analytically. These skills are the heart of a liberal arts education. Our program of study prepares students for whatever educational and professional paths they may choose and builds their capacity to be lifelong learners.
Exploring the diversity of religious thought and practice in India from its earliest manifestations in recorded history to the present.
Examining the ways different cultures have used stories of origins to address questions regarding contemporary political, social, or religious contexts.
Considering the role that anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism have played in western culture from the ancient period to the present day.
Investigating the beliefs, practices, and symbolism of New Religious Movements, both the unique histories of these groups and the development they may share.
Examining Zen Buddhism history, and querying popular and traditional notions of Zen as pure, iconoclastic, and mysterious.
Using “Time” and “Space” as the dual focal points, we will examine the development of diverse Jewish communities from antiquity to the modern era.
Exploring the issues that surround monotheism and how the idea of one God has shaped the development major world religions today.
Engaging the variety in the tradition through the exploration of rituals and beliefs held by different Christian communities around the world and through time.
Associate Professor of Religion Studies Jessica Cooperman emphasizes the importance of primary documents to tell history and focus on the future.
At the Refugee Community Center near campus, Tran assists with adult English-language classes and makes connections with the students, who hail from a variety of countries.
After taking a semester-long course, co-taught by professors of religion studies and economics, students spent two weeks exploring themes from the course abroad.
The former minister of education for Afghanistan will be speaking November 13 about the current state of education.
He is serving as senior advisor on LGBTQI+ health equity in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.