Today, as much as ever, it is crucial to understand the role of religion in the world. Many world events—such as the Syrian crisis, U.S. Immigration debates, or controversy over marriage equality—require a deep understanding of the role of religion in our culture.
Ball State's major stresses the many ways people participate in religion, and how this impacts various areas of their lives.
Whether you wish to better understand your own religion, or you are simply curious about other peoples’ religious practices, our program provides an excellent foundation.
What Can You Do with a Religious Studies Major?
A degree in Religious Studies will prepare you for many fields, both in religious settings and beyond. Graduates have gone on to work in museums as historians, archivists, and curators, and have even found successful careers in politics and law.
What You Will Learn
Courses in religious studies address many dimensions and functions of religion within the world’s cultures. Additional topics include:
- religion and ethics
- advanced concepts in the Bible
- the complex role Islam plays in today’s world
- strategies for interpreting scriptures like the Bible, Qur’an and Bhagavad Gita
- what it means when someone claims to be “spiritual but not religious”
You’ll learn to use multiple approaches (e.g., anthropology, cultural studies, history, sociology, hermeneutics, and critical theories of interpretation) to examine the dynamic relationships between religion and other social, economic, and political structures. You'll gain a critical understanding of religious traditions, issues, questions, and values. You'll also cultivate an awareness of religion’s multifaceted influence on societies, and learn to appreciate the diversity of practices and beliefs in the world.
Program Benefits
Our faculty is a group of talented educators and prominent scholars in the field of philosophy who strive to provide innovative opportunities for their students.
As an undergraduate, you’ll receive individual attention from faculty on coursework and research projects—a huge distinguishing factor for Ball State compared to other universities.
Our students find a home here at Ball State, built around a close community and shared learning experiences and student activities. You can join a student organization dedicated to our fields, join an immersive learning program, help with a community-engagement project, and more.
Our diverse lineup of programs offers hands-on applications and immersive learning projects. You can present your own research to panels from universities around North America as early as your first semester, as well as work directly with groups in the community, helping them address real issues while gaining valuable professional experience.
You’ll receive a lot of attention from our faculty. You’ll work directly with them—on their research and your own.
The size of our department, and our university, is just right. You’ll get to know your professors unlike at larger universities, but we offer more resources and opportunities than many smaller colleges.
We have a wide variety of courses, and you can tailor directed studies to your own needs and interests.
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Next Steps
If you’d like to learn more about our Religious Studies major, complete our online form. Or one of the best ways to get a true feel for Ball State is to see it for yourself, so schedule a visit today! And if you’re ready to apply, review our admission requirements and complete our online application.