The Department of Religion and Classics aims to educate and sensitize students to the wisdom and relevance of various religious and classical cultural traditions by focusing on their written texts, value systems, and social roles. Courses investigate both the past and present, working with the assumption that religion and the culture of the classics are forces that have shaped the past, influence the present, and affect the future. These include opportunities for social service, community organizing, and teaching in schools and established religious centers and institutions.
All internships are without pay, but are worth up to four credit hours.
The Rochester area is rich in religious history and traditions. The larger community contains sizable populations of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Baha'is, and students may design internships relating to and other relevant groups. For students interested the Christian tradition, internships are offered through church-related social agencies and schools both parochial and secular and in urban and suburban environments. Students seeking an internship involving Jewish studies may want to contact the University's Center for Jewish Studies, the UR chapter of Hillel, or the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester. Similarly, the Islamic Center of Rochester, the India Community Center, and various area Baha'i organizations may be helpful for students wishing to pursue an internship within these communities.