Religion is central to all aspects of life throughout history.
By studying religion we are afforded insight into much of our own background, as well as into the diversity of human expression around the world. Religious Studies draws upon the methodology of a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, philosophy, sociology, history, gender studies and literary criticism. These methods are applied to world religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism, and Judaism. The specific objective of the Religious Studies Program is to ascertain and examine the human experiences and the processes involved in the emergence, growth, sustenance or modification of religious ideas and institutions and their implications for the individual and society. To this end, the Department will provide students with an in-depth study of the traditions, texts, and themes of the major religions of the world through a variety of perspectives.