Overview
Kathy Lin
Ian Mills
Quincy Newell, chair
S. B. Rodríguez-Plate
Special Appointment
Jeff McArn
Paige Spencer
The goal of the Religious Studies Department is to nurture students' curiosity about societies around the globe from ancient to contemporary times and how they have made meaning, transcended boundaries, and found ways to live well; think critically about diversity within and among religious traditions; examine the intersections of religion and society, politics, and culture; and do all this while employing a range of approaches, methods, and theories.
Students will learn to:
- Demonstrate understanding of multiple religious traditions
- Articulate a critical understanding of the category of religion and related terms
- Communicate clearly, coherently, and effectively about religion and religious traditions
- Analyze the intersections of religion with human cultures and the natural world
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. 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.
Beginning with the Class of 2028
The concentration in Religious Studies consists of nine courses.
Concentrators must take:
- At least one 100-level course (1 credit each)
- Imagining Religions (RELST-291, 1 credit)
- One elective at any level (1 credit each)
- Five electives at the 200 level or above (1 credit each)
- At least one must be designated as “Location”
- At least one must be designated as “Interpretation”
- At least one must be designated as “Application”
- At least two must be at the 300 level. At least one of the 300-level courses must be designated as “Research and Writing”
- Senior Project Seminar (RELST-498, 1 credit)
Among their six electives, concentrators must address at least two different religious traditions.
Location Courses
RELST-208 Asian Temples in a Digital World
RELST-241 Religion in the American West
RELST-277 Religion and Immigration in Central New York
RELST-300 Greek and Roman Religion
Interpretation Courses
RELST-245 Heretics: Early Christian Contests over Practice and Belief
RELST-317 Jesus and the Gospels
RELST-349 American Scriptures
RELST-357 Death, Dying and the Afterlife
RELST-396 History of Gods
Application Courses
RELST-247 Religion and Gender in American History
RELST-244 Religious Conflicts
RELST-251 Apocalypse Now and Then
RELST-303 Buddhism, Business and State
RELST-304 Religion and Media
RELST-313 Seminar Religion and Modern Art
RELST-338 Mormonism in America and the World
Research and Writing Courses
RELST-300 Greek and Roman Religion
RELST-313 Seminar: Religion and Modern Art
RELST-338 Mormonism in America and the World
RELST-349 American Scriptures
Honors
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.
Minor
A minor consists of five courses. 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.
Credit/No Credit
No courses for the concentration or minor may be taken credit/no credit.