Probe The Human Experience

Students of religion cultivate critical reading, writing, and thinking skills highly valued by graduate schools and employers, while exploring one of the most pervasive, persistent, and influential aspects of human life.
Religious Studies, B.A.
Discover the undergraduate major and the degree requirements.
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Religious Studies Minor
A minor in Religious Studies is also an option.
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Religion impacts the lives of billions of people around the globe. Whether one ascribes to a particular belief system or not, it is impossible to deny religion's contribution to the cultures, ideals, and moral values that have shaped human societies for millennia.

Students enrolled in our classes develop skills needed to critically engage with issues of religious difference and cultivate an appreciation for the ways in which religion pervades virtually every aspect of contemporary life. They also explore religion's many intersections with other modes of identity, including gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity, as well as issues of social justice and environmental sustainability. The academic study of religion empowers students to succeed in a wide range of careers, preparing them to become global citizens and conscious community partners. 

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Student Research Highlight

Joë Kwasnicki (class of '25) is a double major in religious studies and history at IC. In April 2024, they were invited to present their research at the Rustgi South Asia Undergraduate Conference. Their paper, "The First Drag Queen? Arjuna/Brhannada and the Subversion of Gender Normativity in the Mahabharata" uses theoretical insights drawn from gender and performance theory to analyze a famous instance of cross-dressing in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic.

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Student Research Highlights

Erin Baum, Winifred Kanayo-Ezenwata, Rachel Doherty, and Newt Andi presented their research at the Lycoming College Undergraduate Research Conference in April 2024. Newt won an award for their paper "The Vulcan Buddha", and along with Rachel plans to publish their piece in the Mid-Atlantic Humanities Review. Congrats to our presenters!

Featured Student Research

As an H&S Summer Scholar, Religious Studies minor Anton Popov (class of '21) translated a Tibetan offering ritual to the Buddhist deity Tara and examined how this and similar practices are being adapted by Tibetan Buddhists to combat COVID-19.

An Ocean of Nectar: A Practice of Tara for COVID-19
Student Spotlight: Zina Parikh (Class of '22)

I am double majoring in Economics and Philosophy & Religion, and intend to double minor in Asian American Studies and Communication Studies. The flexibility that the Philosophy & Religion major offered allowed me to pursue my interests. Philosophy & Religion casts a wide net over various disciplines, which is what attracted me to it in the first place. Even if you don't plan on majoring or minoring within the department, I recommend taking one or two classes because the material covered is fascinating and connects to many other fields of study.