Through its assessment of the religious experiences, stories, symbols, rituals, doctrines, values, and institutions of human beings in different times and places, the academic study of religions makes an indispensable contribution to historical and cultural literacy.
Religious studies is interdisciplinary by nature.
Courses in the department approach the study of religion from the perspectives of history, textual studies of sacred writings, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, and other disciplines. In addition to providing an understanding of the development of the major religious traditions of the world, these approaches also equip students to explore the complex relationship of religion to other aspects of culture. Religious studies probes the role of religion in ethics and law, psychology, gender constructs, literature, the visual arts, and a variety of contemporary social and political issues. The cross-cultural and historical study of religions is an integral part of education for citizenship in a pluralistic society. Life in such a society is based on respect for religious liberty and freedom of conscience.