About the Religious Studies Program
Upon successful completion of major requirements students should be able to:
- Articulate how religion has the power to shape individual lives and social values.
- Critically read, evaluate, and write on the foundational texts and the significant ideas, concepts, and questions in the study of religion.
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Christian traditions including critically reflecting on the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Christian history and theologies.
- Show a basic understanding of a breadth of religious traditions including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Native American traditions.
- Use library research tools specific to religious studies, and religious studies methodologies to construct papers, essays and class presentations.
- Use these perspectives and skills to become a responsible citizen in a religiously plural world.
- Identify, analyze, and compare understandings of the meaning of life, the human condition, and the nature of the good life in several religious traditions.
The study of religion and philosophy provides a foundation for liberal education and prepares students to be citizens in a complex and pluralistic world.
The religious studies major and minor provide an in-depth study of Christian traditions, as well as a basic understanding of religious traditions such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Native American traditions. Students study four main areas: an introduction to the study of religion, Hebrew Bible and Christian Bible, the history of Christian life and thought, and religious traditions beyond Christianity.
The philosophy minor is a historically oriented course of study that provides a foundation in the ideas that have shaped the world in which we live.
Religion and philosophy students learn how to think about the human situation, write thoughtful analysis of challenging topics, and critically read ancient and modern sources.
Exceptional Opportunities in Religious Studies and Philosophy
- Access to the religious diversity of the Milwaukee area and the opportunity to meet with practitioners of various western and non-western religious communities, including the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin, Buddha Haksa Temple, Congregation Emanu-El, Islamic Society of Milwaukee, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, and Unitarian Universalist Church West.
- Internships and service learning at local churches, senior centers, religious organizations and other non-profits.
- Learn from local religious leaders who speak in our classes, such as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Milwaukee.
What You Can Do With a Background in Religion or Philosophy
Our majors and minors pursue careers in law, non-profit organizations, chaplaincy, library sciences, music, community leadership, church and missionary leadership, journalism, medicine and more.
- Excellent faculty have diverse specialties in the areas of minority group studies, social change, delinquency, family and social ecology.
- Students receive individualized student advising from a professor in the program.
- Small class sizes allow for interaction with professors and students.
- Professors teach all classes; there are no teaching assistants.