What is Religious Studies at the College Level?
 

Unlike some other subjects, most students come to Albion never having studied religion in an academic manner, that is in a way that encourages asking critical questions. Religious Studies at the college level is, like philosophy, English, and foreign languages, a part of the humanities division and, like the other humanities a vital part of a liberal arts education, no matter in what area one's major is. The purpose of studying religion is not to foster or discourage any particular kind of religious beliefs or practices. Rather, we study religion in order better to understand something that has played an important role in every culture. The neglect of the study of religion would create a serious gap in a liberal arts education, for religion has shaped individuals in every major culture, reaching back to human prehistory.

The academic study of religion is different from religious education in churches, synagogues, temple or other religious institutions. Our goal in the Department of Religious Studies is to understand sympathetically, but critically, the major world religions, and to explore the phenomenon of religion itself as a prominent component of human life and culture. The term "Religious Studies" refers to the scholarly study of religion. The term "religion" refers to the beliefs which individuals and groups hold about the ultimate reality (often considered to be God) and the nature of the Universe (including humanity's relationship to it); these beliefs are accompanied by practices which religious practitioners feel relate them to the ultimate reality. Religious Studies must not be confused with religion, nor should Religious Studies scholars be confused wit h the practitioners/believers of religion. Scholars in Religious Studies examine the beliefs and practices of a religion or religions from an objective point of view. Believers maintain the beliefs and practices of their religion from a subjective point of view. Therefore, the focus of our department is on the objective study of religious beliefs and practices, rather than on the actual practice of religion.

Because of our small size, we can offer our majors personal attention, including directed studies in areas of students' interests. Directed Studies allow upper-class students to pursue a subject of particular interest in which no specific course is offered in the department. Biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), for example, are regularly taught as directed studies. Students can petition individual faculty members for directed studies.

Senior majors are encouraged to do a Senior Honors Thesis under the supervision of a Religious Studies faculty member for Departmental Honors. These theses may have an interdisciplinary focus. The thesis option is highly recommended for students considering graduate studies in religion .

Here are some of the fields in which people who study religion work:

Archaeology

Biblical Studies

Church history

Church-State Studies

Theology

Comparative Religions 

Philosophy of Religion 

Psychology of Religion

Sociology of Religion

Religion And Literature

    Religion and the Arts

Religion and Science

Religion in America

 

For further information contact
Dr. Selva J. Raj
Albion College
Vulgamore Office # 306
Albion, MI 49224
Telephone: 517-629-0588;
Fax: 517-629-0286
or e-mail at: sraj@albion.edu