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Religion Major and Minor
At Haverford, we see the study of religion not only as an end in itself, but also as a powerful inroad to understanding human culture and social life in all its variety. Here, you will find faculty and students who are fascinated by the diversity of human expressions of meaning, eager to work across disciplinary boundaries, and energized by a departmental community that is as collaborative as it is demanding.
Curriculum & Courses
With faculty possessing expertise in Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and African American religions, as well as a range of methodologies, we engage students in the breadth of religious studies scholarship. At the same time, we foster the analytical skills necessary to independent and critical thinking. And we encourage our undergraduates to enhance their investigations through coursework in departments throughout the College.
Religion majors fashion a course of study around one of three designated concentrations: Religious Traditions in Cultural Context; Religion, Literature, and Representation; or Religion, Ethics, and Society. Each affords students exceptional mentorship and support in addition to great flexibility in subject matter.
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Major Requirements
The major in religion is designed to help students develop a coherent set of academic skills and expertise in the study of religion, while at the same time encouraging interdisciplinary work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The major consists of 11 courses with the following requirements:
- Five courses within an area of concentration: each major is expected to fashion a coherent major program focused around work in one of three designated areas of concentration:
- Religious Traditions in Cultural Context. The study of religious traditions and the textual, historical, sociological and cultural contexts in which they develop. Critical analysis of formative texts and issues that advance our notions of religious identities, origins, and ideas.
- Religion, Literature, and Representation. The study of religion in relation to literary expressions and other forms of representation, such as performance, music, film, and the plastic arts.
- Religion, Ethics, and Society. The exploration of larger social issues such as race, gender, and identity as they relate to religion and religious traditions. Examines how moral principles, cultural values, and ethical conduct help to shape human societies.
The five courses within the area of concentration must include at least one department seminar at the 300 level. Where appropriate and relevant to the major’s program, up to two courses for the major may be drawn from outside the field of religion, subject to departmental approval.
- RELG H299 (Theoretical Perspectives in the Study of Religion).
- RELG H398A and RELG H399B, a two-semester senior seminar and thesis program.
- Three additional half-year courses drawn from outside the major’s area of concentration.
- Junior Colloquium: an informal required gathering of the junior majors once each semester. Students should complete the Religion Major Worksheet in advance in consultation with their major advisor and bring copies of the completed worksheet to the meeting.
At least six of each major’s 11 courses must be taken in the Haverford Religion Department.In some rare cases, students may petition the department for exceptions to the major requirements. Such petitions must be presented to the department for approval in advance.
Final evaluation of the major program will consist of written work, including a thesis, and an oral conversation completed in the context of the Senior Seminar (RELG H398A and 399B).
Advising for the major takes place in individual meetings between majors and faculty advisors and in a departmental Junior Colloquium held once each semester. At this colloquium, junior majors will present their proposed programs of study with particular attention to their work in the area of concentration. All majors should fill out and bring the Religion Major Worksheet, which can be found on the Religion Department website, to the colloquium.
Senior Project
The senior thesis research project in the Department of Religion serves as a capstone experience for our majors. The work of RELG H398A and RELG H399B, the required courses related to the senior research project in religion, consists of five stages: the formulation of a thesis proposal; presentation of the proposal; presentation of a portion of work in progress; the writing and submission of first and final drafts; oral discussion with department faculty.
Senior Project Learning Goals
The goals of the senior thesis process are to:
- further develop research skills and obtain a mastery of academic citation practices.
- provide students with an opportunity to pursue original research questions and to sharpen scholarly interests as one masters a particular field/argument.
- enhance written and verbal analysis through participation in the yearlong senior seminar with department faculty and students, weekly meetings with individual advisors, and the final oral presentation of the thesis to the department.
- nurture group cohesion as a department, through collaborative participation with fellow majors during the course of RELG H398A and RELG H399B, concretely expressed by way of critical feedback to shared writing.
- build student confidence in the ability to see to fruition a rigorous project requiring prolonged periods of thought, writing, revising, and research.
Senior Project Assessment
You will receive a regular course grade for RELG H399B, which will appear on your transcript. This overall grade is comprised of three separate grades that evaluate:
- Your participation in the seminar process outlined above.
- Participation in the seminar means: punctual attendance at all seminar events; careful preparation, especially the reading of your colleagues’ work in progress; and regular meetings with your advisor and submission of writing, according to the schedule mutually agreed upon.
- The quality of your thesis.
- Your thesis will be read by all members of the department, who will mutually agree upon a grade for the written thesis. This grade will be factored into your final grade for the seminar.
- The effectiveness of your oral exam.
- The effectiveness of your oral discussion will be factored into the final grade for the thesis and for the seminar as a whole. All members of the department will participate in your oral discussion, but your advisor will not participate in the process of the final evaluation and grading of your work.
Requirements for Honors
The department awards honors and high honors in religion on the basis of the quality of work in the major and on the completed thesis.
- Five courses within an area of concentration: each major is expected to fashion a coherent major program focused around work in one of three designated areas of concentration:
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Minor Requirements
The minor in religion, like the major, is designed to help students develop a coherent set of academic skills and expertise in the study of religion, while at the same time encouraging interdisciplinary work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The minor consists of six courses with the following requirements:
- Five courses within an area of concentration, with at least one at the 300 level:
- Religious Traditions in Cultural Context. The study of religious traditions and the textual, historical, sociological and cultural contexts in which they develop. Critical analysis of formative texts and issues that advance our notions of religious identities, origins, and ideas.
- Religion, Literature, and Representation. The study of religion in relation to literary expressions and other forms of representation, such as performance, music, film, and the plastic arts.
- Religion, Ethics, and Society. The exploration of larger social issues such as race, gender, and identity as they relate to religion and religious traditions. Examines how moral principles, cultural values, and ethical conduct help to shape human societies.
- RELG H299 (Theoretical Perspectives in the Study of Religion).
- Junior Colloquium: an informal required gathering of the junior majors once each semester. Students should complete the Religion Minor Worksheet, available on the Religion Department website, in advance in consultation with their major advisor and bring copies of the completed worksheet to the meeting.
All six courses must be taken in the Haverford Religion Department. In some rare cases, students may petition the department for exceptions to the minor requirements. Such petitions must be presented to the department for approval in advance.
- Five courses within an area of concentration, with at least one at the 300 level:
Research & Outreach
All religion majors produce a thesis—a work of original research—over the course of their senior year. During the fall semester, students define a topic, narrow its focus, and formulate a proposal. In the spring, they participate in the Senior Seminar in Religion—in which they share their work with faculty and peers and receive and offer valuable feedback—and bring their projects to fruition. After submitting their theses, each religion major participates in an oral discussion with department faculty.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/blog-cc-farneth-dsc3903-patrick-montero.jpg?itok=m5_EkiaR&c=355117b69c21d2f59daf914ae8ce55d5)
This religion course examines grassroots democratic coalitions and movements, and considers how they try to forge solidarity and build power across religious and racial divides.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/blog-fiona-kegler-21-dsc2078-patrick-montero_0.jpg?itok=m2xo3r-a)
The religion major learned how Protestant theological concepts have encouraged the social construction of Mississippi’s Black Codes and American penal systems.
![James Levy '18](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/James-Levy.jpg?itok=jKsEDlKZ&c=e3be97710cb5ce5c759c3cdd65fc6f55)
For his thesis, the religion major and Russian minor found spiritual significance in the panels of comic books.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/blog-molly-hawkins-21-dsc1994-patrick-montero.jpg?itok=U_kHlnIH)
For her thesis, Hawkins, a religion major with a psychology minor and peace, justice, and human rights concentration, researched how prosperity theology affects the operations of Christian faith-based social service organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/blog-ellie-burns-21-dsc1249-patrick-montero.jpg?itok=r0mjc5XN)
The history major and religion minor used her thesis to investigate the history of Chinese porcelain in the global economy and the Sino-Western exchange.
![](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/blog-sonia-schmidt-21-img-9808.jpg?itok=UqGldL94)
The religion major's thesis analyzed Christianity’s influence in U.S. politicians’ justifications for war.
After Graduation
Haverford’s religion majors graduate with the broad skills and perspectives that are the hallmarks of a liberal arts education. On top of that, they possess a keen understanding and appreciation of multiculturalism and a rigorous and intensely humanistic approach to behavior. Prepared to pursue advanced graduate degrees in religious studies or other areas, they are also equipped to enter careers in a great range of fields.
![Jennifer Shuch smiling](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/Department/Religion/Jennifer-Shuch-Alumni.jpg?itok=sIbPpuTR&c=7e13bd4bb4b6205d67148792a96fadac)
The religion major talks about how her studies, friends, and professors at Haverford taught her how to view the world using a social justice framework.
![Emily Chazen ’18](https://www.haverford.edu/sites/default/files/styles/480_x_360_crop/public/Emily-Chazen.jpg?itok=valh2tzZ)
The English and Religion major will begin pursuing a law degree and her master’s in theological studies through a joint program at Harvard University.
Bryne-Martelli is a Board Certified Chaplain, endorsed by the Orthodox Church in America and certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains.
Applegate works with correctional facilities to create and execute plans for transforming how they deliver education, using technology.
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