The program in Religious Studies is designed to provide a balanced, nonsectarian, cross-cultural approach leading to a better understanding of the phenomenon of religion in human experience. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach and encourages the minor or a double major, as well as a single major in Religious Studies.
The program is valuable for those planning to teach about religions or religious studies in schools at the primary, secondary, or college level. The program also provides an excellent background for graduates planning to enter Catholic, Jewish, or Protestant seminaries. Additionally, Religious Studies is a good complement to majors in such fields as Anthropology, English, Fine Arts, History, International Studies, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Religious Studies is one significant way to integrate course studies within the university curriculum.
In addition to the 27 credits of Religious Studies courses in the major, 3 credits must be taken from a number of courses offered by other departments which complement those offered in Religious Studies. Opportunity for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study is implicit in the study of religious themes and is required in the Religious Studies program at IUP.