Doctor of Philosophy in Religion

Program Learning Outcomes for PhD in Religion Students graduating from the program will: Develop Critical Skills for the Study of Religion: Theory, Method and (Inter)Disciplinarity. They will develop and apply critical toolkit to the study of religion and religious traditions, including (inter)disciplinary methodologies and theories. Understand Historical, Social and Cultural Dimensions of Religion. They will understand and interpret religious traditions by examining religion(s) as historical, social, and cultural phenomena. Understand Psychological, Philosophical and Cognitive Dimensions of Religion. They will understand and interpret the subjective dimensions of religion(s) through analyses that explore the psychological, philosophical, and cognitive dynamics of religion and religious experience. Understand Religious Plurality/Marginal Currents. Understand and interpret religious traditions by examining the plurality of religious voices and expressions, including currents that have been marginalized, neglected, repressed, and censored in a variety of sociological, psychological, philosophical, and political ways. Interpret Multicultural/Transnational Currents. They will understand and interpret religious traditions as multicultural and transnational in nature through attention to the impact of globalism, immigration, colonialism, and other forms of multi-cultural (non)religious exchange. Demonstrate Religious Literacy. They will demonstrate a basic objective knowledge of the beliefs, practices, and institutional histories of the world’s religions. Demonstrate Communication: Pedagogy and Professionalism. They will develop ability to effectively communicate (inter)disciplinary knowledge and critical research in the classroom, at professional conferences, and in academic publications. Demonstrate Foreign Language Skills: Primary Text Translation. They will develop ability to read religious texts in their original languages and perform translations of texts where appropriate. Demonstrate Foreign Language Skills: Secondary Research Translation. They will develop ability to read and understand relevant scholarly research/literature that has been published in foreign languages. Degree Requirements for MA and PhD in Religion The PhD in religion is a 5-8 year program. Course requirements for students without a relevant MA or MDiv (based on three courses per semester): 18 courses (54 hours required); 36 hours for students with a relevant MA or MDiv Two department seminars to be taken in each of the first two years Successful completion of the second-year review Passing grades on reading examinations in two secondary research languages approved by the faculty before taking qualifying exams. Passing grades in four qualifying examinations Oral discussion of dissertation proposal Satisfactory completion of dissertation and oral defense