B.A. in Religion and Politics

The major in Religion and Politics prepares students to interpret the influence of religion in the various spheres of cultural life and in light of prevailing political climates. In particular, we study the role of religious values in fomenting conflict and promoting peace; in preparing for a life of service; and in giving depth and direction to culture. The study of contemporary religions as a living phenomenon requires the concomitant study of social sciences and politics in order to deepen one’s appreciation of the ways in which the religious roots of any society can impact upon both politics and culture. This becomes increasingly important in a world in which a successful career in business or diplomacy requires an understanding of the way that religion shapes culture, political thought and current conflicts. This program, one of the few of its kind in the world, provides students with a broad understanding of the major themes within religion while also allowing them to develop expertise in one of three cultural spheres: Western Religion and Culture; Islamic Religion and Culture or East Asian Religion and Culture. With this expertise, graduates of this program will be equipped to provide a deeper analysis of existing social structures and contribute to solutions in the worlds of international relations, media and more broadly political science. Required courses from a common foundation prepare students to apply their knowledge in one of three concentrations. In the foundations sequence, students are acquainted with the belief systems of the world’s major religions as well as political science and economics. This aspect of study involves learning religious studies methods, political science methodologies, principles of economics, cultivating the capacity for critical analysis, developing cultural sensitivity, and securing ability to communicate within an array of cultural and political idioms. In the concentrations sequence, students focus their learning on current problems and practically-oriented solutions. Three defined concentrations are possible: (1) East Asian Religion and Society; (2) Islamic Religion and Society; and (3) Judeo-Christian Thought and Society. With the consultation of an advisor, a self-planned option is also possible. Students in the B.A. in Religion and Politics will: Demonstrate a broad mastery of the liberal arts, including cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary skills of interpretation, critical thinking skills, and oral and written communication skills Demonstrate a mastery of religious studies methods Demonstrate competency in the keys dimensions of political theory and political science Demonstrate a high-level of competency in one’s understanding of the history, beliefs, evolution, and practice of religion and governance in the Islamic cultural sphere, or in East Asian/Confucian sphere or in the West and demonstrate the competencies needed to compare developments and institutions in one’s area of specialization with those in place in other major cultural spheres Demonstrate a critical, non-prejudicial understanding of how the world’s religions differentially impact social, political, and economic development Demonstrate an understanding of key social institutions (and their impact upon developments in religion and politics) Demonstrate at least a 104 level of competency in a foreign language germane to the region, which the student has chosen as his or her area studies concentration Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent work and produce research at a high quality for undergraduates