Welcome! Are you curious about exorcism in medieval art, how the world’s religious traditions might just be on track to make the world more environmentally sustainable or what ancient sacred texts biblical scholars and archeologists have recently discovered? Then you are curious about religious studies! With a major and a minor in Religious Studies, Texas A&M University invites students to explore the world’s religious traditions from an interdisciplinary academic perspective.
Courses integrate the study of religion with other academic disciplines, to give you a multi-dimensional understanding of religion as an aspect of human culture and experience. All coursework emphasizes critical thinking and written expression.
My favorite part of this program is having the opportunity to learn from incredible faculty who are committed to helping their students better understand the complex effects of religion on our world.
Why study religion?
Religion has been an essential aspect of human culture for millennia. Today religion is a challenging and fascinating area of study. Studying religion as a human phenomenon, with social, political and personal dimensions, deepens your knowledge and broadens your perspectives. You will gain analytical skills essential for global citizens as you explore the complexity of human experience. When you take Religious Studies courses at Texas A&M, you’ll consider questions such as these:
- How are religious beliefs and practices intertwined with human interaction — from social and political systems to the family?
- How do people’s perceptions of a divine or sacred dimension shape their actions?
- How do people communicate their religious orientation to others?
- What questions has religion sought to answer, and how do different religions answer those questions?
- How do scholars approach religion as a uniquely human phenomenon?
- What is the role of religion in global conflicts?
- How have religious traditions changed over time?
- What are the implications of religious belief or faith for people’s values and ethics?
- How do religion and science interact?
- How does belief or faith give rise to intellectual and artistic expression?
- What is the relationship between religion and secularity?
Do I Need to be Religious to Study Religion at Texas A&M?
Religious Studies includes and welcomes both religious and non-religious students and scholars.
Religious Studies as an academic field is filled with people, some religious and some not, who share a fascination with the many ways humans engage with religious ideas and practices.
Studying religion at a public university is different from receiving training at a seminary or in a religious vocational setting. In a public university setting, you are learning about religions, rather than learning to teach or practice a particular faith tradition. Some religious studies majors and minors do pursue religious vocations. Others take their training and apply it in a range of other settings, from healthcare to law.
Just as the adjective ‘Russian’ in ‘Russian studies,’ indicates that Russia is the object of study, not that people who study it are necessarily Russian, the adjective ‘religious’ in religious studies signals that the object of this study is religion. It does not imply that those who teach religious studies are themselves either religious or not. The aim of the academic study of religion is not to defend or promote a specific religion but to describe and understand religion in contextual and cross-culturally accurate terms.
Small Class Sizes
Many of our classes are small, enabling rich conversations to develop over the course of a semester, with active engagement between students, their classmates and faculty. If you are thinking about applying to graduate school, our small class sizes will not only help you get to know professors, but will help you build the skills you will need to pursue an advanced degree, including critical thinking, and written and oral communication.
Testimonials
Minoring in religious studies allowed me to recognize the extent to which religion is deeply woven into the structures of our world, honor people of other religious traditions, and to meditate upon topics of ultimate concern."
– Allen Junek, Philosophy/Classics Major, Texas A&M Class of ’18, Brite Divinity School Class of ’22; Seminarian, the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle
I loved my RELS minor because it gave me an outlet to use the part of my brain my science-heavy major didn’t give space for. The tools I learned from those classes I take with me to the clinic as I interact with patients from all different backgrounds and belief systems."
– Meagan McGaugh, University Studies Biomedical Sciences major, Neuroscience and Religious Studies minors, Texas A&M Class of 2020; Doctorate of Physical Therapy Student, University of Texas Medical Branch, Class of ‘23
My favorite part of this program is having the opportunity to learn from incredible faculty who are committed to helping their students better understand the complex effects of religion on our world."
– Sarah Rutherford, University Studies – Religious Thought, Practices, and Cultures Concentration Major, Texas A&M Class of ‘22
Resources
If you are interested in learning more about the academic study of religion, the following websites are excellent places to start:
American Academy of Religion (AAR):
The AAR is the flagship scholarly organization for the field of religious studies. Browse the website to get a sense of the kinds of things that religious studies scholars think about and do.
American Academy of Religion Southwest Region:
This is the AAR body for the Southwest region, which gathers scholars of religion across the southwest, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas.
UC Davis: What Can I Do with a Religious Studies Major:
UC Davis’s Religious Studies program offers additional information about how a religious studies major can benefit you.
“We Ignore the Global Impact of Religion at our Peril”:
An editorial written by former Secretary of State John Kerry about the importance of studying religion in today’s world.
The Religious Studies Project:
An archive of podcasts related to the academic study of religion.
Independent Studies Forms
Contact an Advisor
To add a Religious Studies minor or learn more about the Religious Studies curriculum:
Religious Studies Minor:
To add the Religious Studies minor please complete the application.
Contact an advisor:
Email Kaileigh Roan kaileigh.roan@tamu.edu
Schedule an advising appointment
- Select location LA-Undergraduate Programs
- Select appointment type LA-General Advising
Speak with the Religious Studies Program Coordinator:
Email Dr. Donnalee Dox dox@tamu.edu