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Religious Studies

Coursework in Religious Studies gives students the cultural competence to think globally and act locally. Religious Studies is a central part of a Worldwise outlook.

Students at University of Maryland have studied the history, culture, and social dynamics of religion since at least the 1980s, in departments as wide-ranging as Philosophy, History, Classics, and Geography.

The first formal undergraduate program in religious studies began in 2001, with a new “citation” in Comparative Religious Studies. The use of “comparative” in the name of the program served to emphasize the secular and historical nature of the scholarship that students would encounter. By 2004, when the College of Arts and Humanities converted the citations into minors, Religious Studies was familiar enough on campus to allow us to drop the term “comparative” (which actually refers to a particular kind of secular study of religion, only a part of what we do on campus).

2020 brought a dramatic addition to Religious Studies on campus, with the introduction of the major in Religions of the Ancient Middle East. Students who pursue the major explore classical and near eastern religions, ancient Judaism, Christianity, and the early centuries of Islam.

University of Maryland students obviously love to learn about religion. Both the minor (citation) and the major fielded graduates from the very first year each program was instated.

Major in Religions and Cultures of the Ancient Middle East

The new RAME major provides a more-focused course of religious studies, while incorporating a course-structure specifically designed to help you complete your Gen Ed requirements. This 30-credit major is perfect as a stand-alone or part of a double major or double-degree program. 

Foundation requirements: 

  • One specially-designed Religious Studies I-series course (3 cr.)
  • Three lower-level courses in 2+ relevant traditions (9 cr.)

Electives (chosen with permission of RAME advisor):

  • One lower-level elective (3 cr.)
  • Four upper-level electives (12 cr.)

Capstone:

  • One specially-designed Religious Studies capstone seminar (3 cr.)

For more information on the major, specific courses, and advising, visit the RAME page or contact rame-advise@umd.edu. We look forward to speaking with you!

Minor in Religious Studies

The classic Religious Studies minor provides an opportunity to “travel the world” through the study religious phenomena in wide-ranging historical, geographical, and conceptual contexts. While valuable to anyone with an interest in religion, the religious studies minor especially supports students in STEM, business, journalism, and other fields, where focused exposure to a course of humanities enhances and diversifies the focused educational experience.

Foundation requirements: 

  • RELS 271 “What is Religion?” (I-series, Hum, CC): This course incorporates the study of world religions with introductions to the discipline of religious studies and specialized approaches to religion. Religion in America provides relevant and topical examples for discussion.

Electives: 

  • Two lower-level electives from a pre-approved list or by approval of RELS advisor. 
  • Three courses at the 300-level or above (same). 

Breadth:

  • RELS students demonstrate exposure to the diversity of religious traditions, in cultural, geographic, and/or temporal breadth. Approved by the Religious Studies adviser.

For more information on the major, specific courses, and advising, visit the Minor in Religious Studies page

Affiliate Faculty

Sabrina Baron
Francisco Barrenechea
Janna Bianchini
Antoine Borrut
Jorge Bravo
Alejandro Caneque
Kim Coles
Bernard Cooperman
Maryl Gensheimer
Maxine Grossman
Shay Hazkani
Colleen Ho
Ahmet Karamustafa
Fatemeh Keshavarz
Piotr Kosicki
Hayim Lapin
James Maffie
Matthew T. Miller
Tom Moser
Marsha Rozenblit
Matthew Suriano
Stefano Villani
Peter Wien
Eric Zakim

Approved Courses

See the Undergraduate Catalog for a full list of our course offerings and Testudo for our current courses.

 

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