Religious Studies
Religious studies majors focus on the world’s religions. They explore the rituals, beliefs, texts, and ethical systems of the world’s religions. They look at the cultural contexts that shape, and are in turn shaped by, religious communities and beliefs. The religious studies major is intended for those who want to understand religious community and spirituality in their incarnations across many disciplines and cultures. This falls under the global politics and societies (GPS) department which includes four separate major programs of study in sociology, religious studies, political science, and international studies and one minor program of study in social justice.
Track
Major in Religious Studies
Religious studies majors gain critical understanding of religion as a community and as an individual enterprise. In particular, the major looks at how religion relates to other human endeavors in the allied fields. Students engage religious issues with other disciplines as well.
What You'll Learn
Life-Changing Journeys
Since her arrival at Hollins four years ago, Nora Williams ’17 has taken an array of life-changing journeys that have included internships at Elon University and the Rescue Mission of Roanoke and a semester studying abroad in Argentina. She worked with new students from underrepresented groups as an Early Transition Program mentor, and served with the Diversity Monologue Troupe, a team of student leaders that promotes understanding of the university’s diversity while helping to broaden perspectives on the various stereotypes common in society.
Nora Williams, will pursue a master of divinity at Harvard Divinity SchoolExcellent preparation
I graduated in 2005 with departmental honors in religious studies and started the M.Div. program at Yale University Divinity School the following August. My work at Hollins prepared me very well for the rigorous academics at Yale.
Sarah Patterson White, M.Div., Yale, currently pursuing a Ph.D. at St. Louis University
