Program Overview

Introduction to the Religious Studies Program

The Religious Studies program at Ohio State University offers a uniquely comparative, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary approach to studying the world's religions. This program enables students to develop a broad knowledge of the world's religions, past and present, along with the opportunity for critical analysis of the role of religion in relation to other social and cultural domains.

Program Overview

The Religious Studies major requires 36 semester hours in comparative studies and in fields related to the student's area of concentration, including at least 24 credit hours at the 3000 level and above. Students can choose from two areas of concentration:

• Study of Religions: This concentration involves the in-depth study of different religious practices and beliefs in specific historical, cultural, and geographical contexts. It emphasizes different disciplinary approaches to the study of religion, including historical, anthropological, psychological, sociological, cognitive, and aesthetic.
• Religions and Cultures: This concentration examines religions in relation to cultural, social, and political institutions, and in relation to categories of identity and difference. It views religion as a set of beliefs and practices that are inextricably intertwined with race, class, gender, and ethnicity, among other categories of affiliation and identification.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Religious Studies major is designed to be both academically rigorous and tailored to students' particular interests. It includes:

Study of Religions Concentration

• Four core courses to provide introductory and capstone experiences
• Electives to fulfill both cross-cultural and interdisciplinary distribution requirements (in relation to history, art, literature, and social and political institutions)

Religions and Cultures Concentration

• Two foundation courses to provide introductory and methodological background
• Interdisciplinary, thematic, and comparative courses that emphasize cultural and social theory and relationships between religion and other elements of culture
• Distribution requirements to provide depth and focus in specific religious traditions

Possible Careers

Graduates with a degree in Religious Studies develop strong skills in analytical and critical thinking, written and spoken communication, and an understanding of religious and cultural differences. These skills are essential for many positions in both the public and private sectors, including government, law, service organizations, business, industry, and education. Religious Studies students are well-prepared to pursue a wide range of academic fields at the graduate level, including religious studies, cultural studies, English, history, and American studies. They are also well-positioned to attend professional schools and pursue degrees in law, medicine, teaching, or social work.