Course Description

Program Description As people increasingly see the role religion plays on a worldwide scale, an education in Religion and Culture is also gaining importance. In our department, students examine various religious approaches to some of humanity’s most timeless issues, such as gender, violence, leadership and death/dying. The department is a non-sectarian program of study, with courses in all major world religions including: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Those pursing a degree in Religion & Culture need only a desire to expand one’s worldview and skills in critical thinking; being religious is in no way a prerequisite. Our program offers students the chance to conduct a broader study of religion in the context of human culture. Throughout the ages, religious beliefs and practices have occupied (and continue to occupy) an important place in human lives. They have shaped the histories and perspectives of individuals and entire civilizations, as religion not only expresses humanity’s deepest hopes but also provides various ways of coping with the uncertainties of mortal existence. As a result, the study of religion is a fascinating way to explore the aspirations, fears, concerns, and biases that characterize the human condition, providing students with valuable cross-cultural perspectives drawn from the world’s religious traditions.

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