Religious Studies B.A.

Students in religious studies are trained in the critical study of religious thought, practice, institutions, and communities throughout the world and across time periods. The subject of religion is by its very nature interdisciplinary, attracting interest from many perspectives, including textual and literary studies, history, sociology, anthropology, the arts, and philosophy.

Students in the religious studies program select one of two tracks. The "religion, culture, and society" track is designed for students who seek to study religious traditions broadly or comparatively. The "texts and traditions" track is for students who seek to study a single tradition deeply, reading its foundational texts in their original language. Both tracks examine religion as a social and cultural force affecting fundamental issues of our world. All majors take courses in at least two religious traditions and develop an interdisciplinary concentration area consisting of four courses, selected from a variety of departments and focused on a theme, tradition, time period, location, practice, or set of questions. The area of concentration must be approved by the major advisor.

For more information, visit the Religious Studies website at https://cla.umn.edu/religious-studies.