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Our Religious Studies Major
Better understand humanity and yourself
Religion touches nearly every aspect of our world and society—literature, politics, current events, history, personal interactions and more.
Contemplate the ultimate questions, think critically and creatively about world religions, and analyze religious texts from various perspectives. You'll be challenged to become a more compassionate, empathetic and self-aware global citizen.
Interdisciplinary approach
One of our most popular classes, Being Awesome at Life, examines the definition of a good life across cultures and throughout history. Science and Religion takes a serious look at scientific and religious claims to find overlaps of agreement.
Other classes cover major world religions and how they relate to fields like ethics, archaeology, philosophy and environmental studies. Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like leadership and diversity studies, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
Your education won't end in the classroom. Join one of our very active student-run religious life groups. Study abroad through our Global Opportunities program to get a firsthand look at the religions of the world in Europe, Asia, Africa or South America.
Broad-based skills
About a third of our students go on to seminary at schools like United Lutheran Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary and Yale Divinity School.
The rest acquire essential skills that translate into success in a variety of professions, including social work, non-governmental organizations and writing. Our graduates know how to think critically across disciplines; write clearly and concisely; handle conflicts and disagreement with grace; and encourage productive dialogue.
Our students go on to study at:
Alvernia College
Drew University
Johns Hopkins University
Kent State University
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Ohio State University
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Princeton Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary, New York
United Lutheran Seminary
University of Central Florida
University of Kent (Fulbright scholarship)
Yale Divinity School
Our students find jobs at:
Coalition for Christian Outreach
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps)
Department of Community and Economic Development
Esperanza Academy (Lawrence, Mass.)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Holleran Center for Community Engagement
Lutheran World Relief
Teach for America
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Requirements for the Major in Religious Studies. Majors in religious studies complete at least 36 semester hours in the discipline with grades of C- or better. To ensure both breadth and depth of study, there is one compulsory course, and the remaining 32 semester hours must include at least one course from each of the four subject areas identified below. At least 20 of the 32 semester hours must be taken at the 200 level or higher. Topics courses and independent study courses may be given a subject area designation by the instructor in consultation with the department. The compulsory course does not count toward the subject area distribution requirement.
Double-counting restriction: students majoring in religious studies may double-count a maximum of 12 semester hours toward another major.
Minor in Religious Studies. Students minoring in religious studies complete 20 semester hours in the discipline with grades of C- or better. Students consult with an assigned minor adviser to select both upper- and lower-level courses. Of the five courses, at least two must be at the 200 level or above.
Double-counting restriction: Only 12 semester hours may double-count with another major or minor.
Jeffrey K. Mann, Ph.D.
Department: Religious Studies
Professor of Religious Studies
jmann@susqu.edu
570-372-4165
Karla G. Bohmbach, Ph.D.
Department: Religious Studies
Professor of Religious Studies
bohmbach@susqu.edu
570-372-4167
Matthew L. Duperon, Ph.D.
Department: Religious Studies
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
duperon@susqu.edu
570-372-4741
Thomas W. Martin, D.Phil.
Department: Religious Studies
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
martintw@susqu.edu
570-372-4166
Contact Us
Phone & Email
Jeff Mann, department head
570-372-4165
jmann@susqu.edu