Religious studies majors focus on the world’s religions. They explore the rituals, beliefs, texts, and ethical systems of the world’s religions. They look at the cultural contexts that shape, and are in turn shaped by, religious communities and beliefs. The religious studies major is intended for those who want to understand religious community and spirituality in their incarnations across many disciplines and cultures. This falls under the global politics and societies (GPS) department which includes four separate major programs of study in sociology, religious studies, political science, and international studies and one minor program of study in social justice.
Tracks
Major in Religious Studies
Religious studies majors gain critical understanding of religion as a community and as an individual enterprise. In particular, the major looks at how religion relates to other human endeavors in the allied fields. Students engage religious issues with other disciplines as well.
Over her four years at Hollins, Nora Williams ’17 experienced an array of life-changing journeys that have included internships at Elon University and the Rescue Mission of Roanoke and a semester studying abroad in Argentina. She served with the Diversity Monologue Troupe, a team of student leaders that promotes understanding of the university’s diversity while helping to broaden perspectives on the various stereotypes common in society.
Nora WIlliams
will pursue a master of divinity at Harvard Divinity School
I graduated in 2005 with departmental honors in religious studies and started the M.Div. program at Yale University Divinity School the following August. My work at Hollins prepared me very well for the rigorous academics at Yale.
Sarah Patterson White
M.Div., Yale, currently pursuing a Ph.D. at St. Louis University
“The knowledge and skills from a major in religious studies are important in the world today, no matter what you do as a career. Plus the faculty is amazing.”
Kyrie Joy Henderson
M.A., Ave Maria University
