Program Overview

The Study of Christianity and Culture

Overview

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers an undergraduate academic minor in the Study of Christianity and Culture. This academic minor is one of very few of its kind in the United States, and a model for the academic study of Christianity and culture in a public university.

Distinguished Speaker Series

The Christianity and Culture Distinguished Speaker Series brings renowned scholars to campus each year to speak on topics related to the impact of Christianity on society and society on Christianity. Past topics include:

• the relationship between religion and science
• the religious beliefs of President Putin of Russia and their impact on his war against Ukraine
• connections between U.S. evangelicals and politics
• multi-religious cultural spaces in 9th century Sicily
• the differences between European and American Christianity

Minor Requirements

The minor is an interdisciplinary curriculum in the social sciences and humanities aimed at developing an understanding of Christian religious traditions and their influences in history and society. The minor requires completion of five (5) different courses, with certain specified distributions.

Enrollment

Enrollment in the minor is simple - just visit your regular academic advisor to fill out a minor declaration form and review the minor requirements.

Current Course Offerings

Each semester, numerous courses in the Departments of Art History, Classics, English, History, Religious Studies, and Sociology, among others, count toward the minor. Students may also petition the Minor Director for permission to count other potentially appropriate courses toward their minor requirements.

Resources

UNC’s libraries hold numerous videos and DVDs related to Christianity, which are available for borrowing. A rich list of materials for the study of Christianity and Culture is available both through the library and online.

Giving

Alumni, parents, and other friends of the university are welcome to financially support the minor through one-time or regular donations to UNC designated for the Minor in the Study of Christianity and Culture. Financial support goes toward course offerings, advising and administration expenses, visiting speakers, and course development funds in support of the minor.