COURSE CURRICULUM

The coursework in the Religious Studies program is designed to help students understand religion as a powerful force that shapes culture, identity, politics, and society across the world. Students begin with Methods and Approaches in the Study of Religion, which introduces different academic ways of analyzing religion, including historical, cultural, sociological, and philosophical perspectives. This course helps students build a strong foundation for interpreting religious traditions in a thoughtful and scholarly way.The program also includes courses such as The American Religious Experience, which explores the development and diversity of religious life in the United States, and Interpreting Sacred Texts, which focuses on understanding and analyzing key religious writings from different traditions. These classes help students learn how beliefs and texts influence behavior, values, and social systems.Other courses examine the relationship between religion and modern society. Religion and Popular Culture explores how religious themes appear in media, entertainment, and everyday life, while Religion and Political Conflict studies how religion can both contribute to and help resolve political tensions and global conflicts. Sustainability and Religious Worldviews connects religious teachings with environmental ethics and global sustainability issues, highlighting how belief systems influence attitudes toward nature and responsibility.Religion and Social Engagement focuses on how religious communities participate in social change, activism, and community service. Themes in Catholic Social Thought provides an in-depth look at Catholic teachings on justice, human dignity, and social responsibility, showing how religious ethics can influence public life.Overall, the curriculum encourages students to think critically about the role of religion in both historical and contemporary contexts. It combines textual study, cultural analysis, and real-world applications to help students understand how religion shapes societies. The program also offers resources such as major requirements, class schedules, and combined degree options, including bachelor’s and master’s pathways, to support academic and professional growth in fields such as education, public service, law, and community leadership.