Religious Studies

Curriculum

You will grow personally and intellectually while developing a deeper understanding of our world and its culture with a religious studies major at the University of Mount Union. You’ll explore the scriptures, history, theology and ethics of the world's religions, but you’ll also develop skills practical in any number of careers, including data gathering, observation, interpretation, critical analysis and your ability to empathize with your fellow human beings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The religious studies major introduces students to the nature and place of religion in human experience in both its individual and corporate dimensions. Students examine the scriptural, historical, theological and ethical traditions of the world's religions, as well as the relationship between religion and various forms of culture.

Graduates in religious studies advance into career positions in government, business, service, law, medicine, the ministry, anthropology and psychology. Mount Union also offers a pre-ministry concentration for students wishing to pursue the ministry. 

After the completion of the religious studies degree, students will demonstrate:

• An understanding of the variety of interpretations of religion and the major theoretical frameworks that support them.
• An understanding of at least two major approaches to the study of religion (theology, sociology, social ethics, philosophy, history).
• An understanding of the major methods and interpretive theories in the field of biblical studies.
• An understanding of the major beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, leaders, and social groups of at least two religious traditions.
• An understanding of the issues of human diversity such as gender, ethnicity, and class for the past and present shape of religion.
• The ability to articulate an understanding of the historical development of Christian tradition from its inception to the present.
• An understanding of biblical texts within their historical and contemporary contexts.

Experiential Learning

Students who choose to major in religious studies at the University of Mount Union have ample opportunities to get “real-world” experience outside of the classroom. By getting involved in extracurricular opportunities and student organizations, you can strengthen your knowledge of world religions, which is critical to career success.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Experiential learning opportunities will give you many chances to put classroom knowledge to work. These opportunities, which supplement classroom learning, include:

• Internship at a church or another setting of your choice
• Lecturers and discussions with visiting scholars
• Study abroad experience
• Site visits to regional religious organizations
• Independent research
• Research with faculty or student peers
• Research-based courses
  
  

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Religion and Philosophy Club is a student-led organization on Mount Union’s campus.

Theta Alpha Kappa is a national religion honor society.

Spiritual Life Leadership (SLL) is the representative group for all religious-affiliated student organizations on campus.  The purpose of the SLL is to coordinate activities of the various religious life organizations on the campus with the goal of providing opportunities for cooperation, dialogue and mutual support of spiritual life at Mount Union. There are many spiritual organizations on campus, developed to meet students’ spiritual needs including Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), The Edge (bible study), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), For the Love of Christ the King (FLOCK) and Kappa Phi.

Careers

A major in religious studies imposes few limitations, and the strengths you will develop as part of the program lend themselves to a number of different career paths. Many of our alumni have found the preparation of a religious studies major to be useful in a number of fields, and you may too.

Mount Union also offers a pre-ministry concentration for students wishing to pursue the ministry.