Religion Studies

Discern the role of religion for individuals, cultures and societies in a context of free inquiry and critical examination.

What can you do with a religion studies major?
Everything.

Students of religion explore some of the most fascinating areas of the human experience. Among other questions, they inquire into the many understandings of reality and the many manifestations of sacred practice across cultures. Religion is a field of study that is both personally rewarding and highly relevant in its applications to the contemporary world.

Our students learn to discern the role of religion for individuals, cultures, and societies. They study and compare the myths, symbols, and rituals of various religious traditions in a context of free inquiry and critical examination. Through their studies they come to recognize the internal coherence and distinctiveness of diverse worldviews.

In keeping with the enormous changes in the world and the increasing controversy surrounding religious issues, the department seeks to provide students the opportunity to explore religious diversity in many different historic and contemporary forms, including religions of East and South Asia, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Why choose Muhlenberg for religion studies?

Habits of Mind
Through our curriculum, graduates learn to read closely, think critically, discuss insightfully, and write analytically. These skills are the heart of a liberal arts education. Our program of study prepares students for whatever educational and professional paths they may choose and builds their capacity to be lifelong learners.

 

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    UPCOMING EVENT

    Indigenous African Religious Practice in the Contemporary World with Falres Ilomo

    Seegers Union Event Space
    7:00 pm
    Image for Indigenous African Religious Practice in the Contemporary World with Falres Ilomo

    Indigenous African religious practice is, at best, poorly understood and, at worst, derided as superstition in many contemporary cultural contexts. Our guest, Dr. Falres Ilomo has worked to foster a more sophisticated understanding of these traditional practices. In addition to tackling basic questions about traditional African religious belief and practice, this conversation will also address the relationship of these traditions to the other major religions in Tanzania, Christianity and Islam.

Religion Studies

Spring 2024 Courses to Check Out

It's the End of the World

Special Topic: It’s the End of the World

Exploring different ways of understanding assertions “the end is nigh” that appear within a multitude of religions and cultural traditions from around the globe

The Good Life in Buddhism

Introducing students to the origins, evolution, and manifestations of Buddhism in scripture, practice, and artistic expression.

Religious Migration

Religious Migrations

Using travel narratives to explore how religion has motivated human movement—migrations, colonization, and even tourism.

Hebrew Bible

Understanding the texts as a repository of ancient Israelite traditions that were developed and shaped in specific historical and social contexts.

Gender & Sexuality in Islam

Examining constructions of gender and sexuality in Islam and considering how Muslim women today are challenging the patriarchal structures of authority.

Theory & Method in the Study of Religion

Theory & Method in the Study of Religion

Exploring the methodological and theoretical frameworks that define the academic study of religion.

Ecology and Religion in Japan

MILA: Ecology and Religion in Japan

Introducing the fundamentals of ecology and how humans impact ecosystems processes, as well as to the history and ritual of Buddhism and and indigenous Shinto.

Paths in Jewish Thought

Paths in Jewish Thought

Surveying the works of particular Jewish thinkers, from antiquity to the modern day, with special attention to certain topics and historical developments.

Touching the Past

faculty focus

Associate Professor of Religion Studies Jessica Cooperman emphasizes the importance of primary documents to tell history and focus on the future.

Contact

Religion Studies

Email [email protected] Telephone 484-664-3435
Address Muhlenberg College Religion Studies Moyer 226 2400 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104

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