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​Religion

Explore religion in art, literature, philosophy, and society from a global, historic perspective, and examine the role it plays in society today.

You’ll develop an understanding of religion as the foundation of human culture, and become more aware of and sensitive to the beliefs of people of different faiths in our diverse society.


About the College of Arts and Sciences

The founding college of Syracuse University remains at the center of undergraduate learning. The College is divided into the natural sciences and mathematics, the humanities, and the social sciences, with the lattermost offered in partnership with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Courses

Sample courses for religion majors include:

  • Religion Today in a Globalizing World
  • Gods: A Cross-Cultural Gallery
  • Ethical Decision Making
  • God in Political Theory
  • Medieval Christianities
  • God and Beauty in Islamic Art
  • Mysticism

View official major requirements .

Practical Experience

Seize opportunities to do community volunteering and professional internships—on campus, off campus, or internationally. Academic counselors and faculty advisors will guide you in aligning your interests and academic path with opportunities for growth.

Turn to the College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for Innovative Learning (iLEARN) for support with innovative educational programs and your undergraduate research activities. The center can help complement your traditional classroom and laboratory work with enhanced out-of-classroom learning experiences.

There are more than 300 recognized student organizations at Syracuse University, and you can get involved with any of them. In addition to organizations based on religion and religious themes, you can explore groups formed around themes like art, politics, advocacy, government, media, and service.

Study Abroad

Broaden your perspective and enhance your resume with an international experience through  Syracuse Abroad , which features more than 100 programs in 60 countries. You can choose semester, summer, short term, and yearlong options for international study. 

Religion majors often go abroad to Syracuse University centers in London and Madrid .

Summer programs of interest may include Religion, Law, and Human Rights in a Comparative Perspective (Strasbourg), Exploring Jewish Life in Central Europe, Middle East Policies and Security Studies in Israel, and Revolutions, War, and the Prospects for Democracy in the Middle East (Dubai, UAE).

Life After Syracuse University

As a College of Arts & Sciences graduate with a major in religion, you can explore such careers as:

  • Teacher
  • Religious leader
  • Foreign relations representative
  • Government diplomat
  • Publisher
  • Writer or journalist

You can also pursue graduate training in such areas as law, education, journalism, medicine, and more. Recent graduates of the program have attended some of the top graduate schools in the U.S.