Religious Studies Program
The Religious Studies major at Roanoke College explores the diversity of religious traditions by encountering their world views and practices in their cultural and historical contexts. Students discover how practitioners of different religious communities view themselves and their world by reading their sacred texts, experiencing and analyzing their rituals, studying their literature, and comprehending each religious system as a holistic way of life.
The religious traditions we study span from ancient civilizations to modern ones, and from one end of the globe to the other. Drawing on critical methods and sources, each tradition’s understanding of the human condition has individual and communal as well as local and global implications. We carefully observe these traditions as they develop over time and the ongoing interplay between practitioners of traditions and new human experiences.
In the tradition of the Liberal Arts, our programs focus on critical thinking skills and the skills of persuasion, written and oral. We also engage in frequent self-reflection on our own path of learning as we sift through the centuries of human attempts to answer these fundamental questions. And so we continue to investigate our ancestors’ responses and to consider their insight for ourselves as we seek to make our own way in the world and live out a purpose that brings us meaning.
Why study religion at Roanoke?
- Insightful. Students delve into culture, ritual, history, literature and sacred texts-allowing for multifaceted insights into our human urge toward spirituality.
- Guided. Students have the opportunity to work with Roanoke's outstanding religion faculty, many of whom are leading scholars in their field.
- Global. By making connections among various religions, students gain a deeper understanding of world history and global politics.
What's next?
- Because religious studies demand critical thinking and communication skills, students are well prepared for both graduate studies and a variety of careers.
- Religious Studies students often go into education, medicine, law, journalism, international business, diplomacy and of course religion.
Faculty Experts
The department's faculty members come to Roanoke from prestigious institutions. Students receive individual attention from the faculty and work one-on-one with them in small class settings and independent research projects. Our professors are also active scholars, publishing both articles and books in their areas of expertise.
Questions? Contact Us.
Gabrielle Derusha
Administrative Assistant - Religion & Philosophy
derusha@roanoke.edu
540-378-5148