Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of major requirements students should be able to:

1. Articulate how religion has the power to shape individual lives and social
   values.
2. Critically read, evaluate, and write on the foundational texts and the significant
   ideas, concepts, and questions in the study of religion.
3. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Christian traditions including critically
   reflecting on the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Christian history
   and theologies.
4. Show a basic understanding of a breadth of religious traditions including
   Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Native American traditions.
5. Use library research tools specific to religious studies, and religious studies
   methodologies to construct papers, essays and class presentations.
6. Use these perspectives and skills to become a responsible citizen in a religiously
   plural world.
7. Identify, analyze, and compare understandings of the meaning of life, the
   human condition, and the nature of the good life in several religious traditions.

Curriculum

The religious studies major provides an in-depth study of Christian traditions, including courses such as From Puritanism to Drive-In Churches, and Suffering and Hope. The major also provides a basic understanding of religious traditions, such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Native American traditions. Courses include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Women in Religion, and Asian Religions.

The central questions of life have been discussed by philosophers for centuries. Who are we? Why are we here? How can we know this? And what can we do about it? The philosophy minor is a historically oriented course of study exposing students to the ideas of history's greatest thinkers as they attempt to answer these questions.