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Overview

Faculty

Wendy Felese

Quincy Newell, chair

S. Brent Rodríguez Plate

Heidi Ravven

Department/Program Goals

The goal of the Religious Studies Department is to provide students with an expansive, self-reflective, and critical understanding of the complexity of diverse religious traditions, engaging in a variety of approaches, methods, and theories.

Department/Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to:

  • Examine different approaches to the academic study of religions
  • Analyze diverse sets of evidence including both primary and secondary sources
  • Critically analyze the category of “religion”
  • Communicate clearly, coherently, and effectively

Concentration/Minor Description and Requirements

The concentration in Religious Studies consists of nine courses, including up to two 100-level courses, RELST-291 (Imagining Religions), RELST-498 (Senior Project Seminar), and five electives at the 200-level or higher, of which at least two shall be at the 300-level. At the time the concentration is elected, the concentrator shall propose a program of study including, if desired, study abroad, for the approval of the department. The program of study should include exposure to at least three of the different traditions or geographic regions in which the department offers courses. Honors are awarded on the basis of a cumulative average of at least 3.5 achieved in courses approved for the concentration and the completion of RELST-501 with a 3.7 or better.

Concentrators will fulfill the Social, Structural, and Institutional Hierarchies requirement by completing RELST-291.

A minor consists of five courses. For the classes of 2023 and 2024, these include one 100-level course, RELST-291, and at least one 300-level course. Beginning with the class of 2025, these include up to two 100-level courses, RELST 291, and at least one 300-level course.

Courses from other departments and institutions may be approved for concentration or minor credit through a petition to the chair of the department. Normally, no more than two credits earned away from Hamilton will count towards the concentration.

No courses for the concentration or minor can be taken credit/no credit.