As a student in the Religious Studies B.A. program, you'll learn to think about religious traditions as evolving historical phenomena and a global force in the modern world while developing a more nuanced awareness of different worldviews—including your own.
You will also:
- Cultivate critical reading, writing, and thinking skills highly valued by graduate schools and employers. In addition, because religion continues to inform every sphere of public life, from art and business to politics and public health, studying religion will make you a better medical care provider, entrepreneur, teacher, civic leader, attorney, or community activist—or whatever you plan to become.
- Study a fascinating array of texts, rituals, myths, and material culture from around the world. This will transform you into a global citizen who can appreciate the complexity and diversity of cultures and thus contribute to society in a conscious and constructive manner.
- Become a more interesting person. By immersing yourself in unfamiliar religious worlds, you will develop a more critical perspective on the familiar. This will add a layer of depth to your personality that is one of the hallmarks of a well-rounded liberal arts education.
You may want to pair the Religious Studies major with another major from a wide range of other fields. This will provide you with a comprehensive undergraduate education and give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate study. One of the many advantages of this major is that at thirty-three credits, it strikes a balance between maintaining a high level of academic rigor and depth while also encouraging students to pursue a double major and thus adopt a more integrative approach to their studies at Ithaca College.