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Overview

Faculty

Quincy Newell
Ian Mills
S. B. Rodríguez-Plate

Special Appointment
Jeff McArn

Department/Program Goals

Nurture your 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.

Department/Program Student Learning Outcomes

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

Concentration/Minor Description and Requirements

The concentration in Religious Studies consists of eleven courses totaling nine and one-half credits.


Concentrators must take:

  • At least one 100-level course (1 credit each)

  • Two semesters of Readings in Religious Studies (RELST 198, one-quarter credit each semester)

    • While students may take this course as many times as they wish, it can only count toward the Religious Studies concentration twice.

  • Imagining Religions (RELST 291, 1 credit)

  • One elective at any level

  • 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.


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. 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 may be taken credit/no credit.