To study religious studies is to believe that the questions often matter more than the answers. Majors and minors explore religion across cultures, time periods, and disciplines — building a distinctive set of skills in close reading, critical thinking, and observational analysis.
If you choose to pursue a religious studies major, you will begin your studies with a gateway course in either Understanding Religions or American Gods: Religious Diversity in the US. From there, you will earn credit in two theory and method intensive courses and a senior capstone. Completion of the degree will total 30 credits and at least four courses at the 300 level.
Our alumni graduate having cultivated critical eyes, empathetic minds, fluency in challenging cultural issues, and a globalized knowledge base. While some choose to pursue graduate studies or to enter seminary, all leave equipped with the very best of the liberal arts have to offer, going on to earn positions in a variety of thriving industries — from law to medicine.
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“As a history buff, I always enjoyed learning about the cultures of various civilizations – from the various interpretations of Christianity in Hellenized Egypt to the modern iteration of what we call yoga. Skidmore’s religious studies major gave me the opportunity to study history, sociology, and literature all at once — with an incredible set of faculty."
— Luke Deuterman ’23, religious studies graduate student at the University of Virginia
Ladd, 2nd Floor
Phone: 518-580-5400
Fax: 518-580-5409
Ryan Overbey
Professor
roverbey@skidmore.edu
Jennifer Lewis
jlewis2@skidmore.edu