Department of Religion

Religion Programs

• Abrahamic Traditions

  This program examines Judaism, Christianity, and Islam through their theological foundations, historical development, and global influence. Students analyze sacred texts, doctrinal systems, and institutional structures while exploring how these traditions shape culture, law, and social organization.

• African Traditional Religions

  Focused on indigenous African spiritual systems, this program explores cosmology, ritual practices, and community based belief structures. Students study oral traditions, ancestral veneration, and the integration of spirituality with social and environmental life.

• Dharmic Traditions

  This program explores Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism with emphasis on philosophical systems, ethical frameworks, and spiritual practices. Students examine concepts such as dharma, karma, and liberation while analyzing historical development and cultural impact.

• East Asian Religions

  The East Asian Religions program studies Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and related traditions. Students analyze philosophical teachings, ritual systems, and social ethics, focusing on how these traditions shape governance, family structure, and cultural identity.

• Esoteric Traditions

  This program examines mystical and hidden spiritual systems, including occult traditions, alchemy, and symbolic knowledge frameworks. Students explore metaphysical concepts, initiation practices, and the historical role of esoteric thought in intellectual and cultural movements.

• Indigenous Religions

  Focused on the spiritual systems of indigenous peoples worldwide, this program emphasizes tradition, land based belief systems, and ecological relationships. Students study ritual practices, oral histories, and the integration of spirituality with community life.

• Pagan Traditions

  This program explores historical polytheistic religions and contemporary Pagan movements. Students examine mythological systems, ritual practices, and modern adaptations, analyzing how these traditions persist and evolve across cultural contexts.