Religion

Introduction 

The Department of Religion and Judaic Studies offers courses in religious traditions, theories, and methods in the study of religion, sacred texts, and contemporary issues, including courses with a sustainability/environmental focus. Students also have opportunities to study religion abroad in the Dickinson Program in India and the summer program in Jerusalem.  

Courses that explore these areas include those that examine: 

1.   The traditions of Asia and the West (particularly Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Indigenous Religions). 

2.   Theories and methodologies in the study of religion, including comparative, sociological, and psychological approaches. 

3.   The historical and literary analysis of sacred texts, including the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Dead Sea Scrolls 

4.   Religion and contemporary issues, such as gender, violence/nonviolence, interreligious dialogue, spirituality, and sustainability.  

Introductory courses appropriate for prospective majors

Any introductory 100 level course is appropriate for the major, but Religion 101:  What is Religion? is required.   

100 level courses are introductory courses intended for all students.  These courses focus on the historical and cultural contexts of traditions or cultural issues. They are comparative courses.     

200 level courses tend to be topics courses; the focus is on analysis of texts and themes in a comparative and historical context.  

Our comparative courses and 300 level courses are seminars with an emphasis on writing and discussion. The emphasis is on constructive application of theories and methods to relevant topics.  

Introductory courses that fulfill distribution requirements 

Division IA:   

any course offered by the department. 

Comparative Civilization:  

Any courses concerned with Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, East Asian religions, or Native American religions.  

 U.S. Diversity:  

Courses such as Religion and Modern Culture and Jews and Judaism in the U.S. 

Writing Intensive course:   

Religion 390:  Interpreting Religion, required for the major AND MINOR. 

Course descriptions, requirements for the major refer to the College Bulletin: Religion.