Religious Studies, Minor - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Religious Studies

Study topics ranging from Islamic thought to biblical literature through multiple academic lenses, drawing insights from fields such as anthropology, philosophy, history and humanities.
Degree
Minor
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
20 hrs.
Full-time
- -
Part-time
- -
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Classics, Humanities, and Italian Studies

The Religious Studies minor at UNH offers a dynamic exploration of religion as a global cultural phenomenon, examining diverse beliefs, rituals and life philosophies across traditions. Here you'll be able to study topics ranging from Islamic thought to biblical literature through multiple academic lenses, drawing insights from fields such as anthropology, philosophy, history and humanities. 

With guidance from internationally recognized faculty and a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to your interests, you'll develop deep cross-cultural understanding that enhances career paths including education, journalism, law and nonprofit work. Whether you're majoring in anthropology, English, history or another field, this interdisciplinary perspective will enrich your understanding of human beliefs and cultural practices.

Department of Classics, Humanities and Italian Studies

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Contact Cards

Nicole Ruane
Senior Lecturer
Nicole.Ruane@unh.edu
Murkland Hall, Room 315, Durham, NH 03824

What is religious studies?

In the religious studies minor, you’ll be introduced to the academic study of religious thought and explore religion as a cross-cultural and experiential phenomenon. You’ll study beliefs, rituals and the meaning of life in a variety of religious traditions and through a range of courses on topics such as Islam, religious reform in Europe and the Bible as literature. The minor draws from several programs, including anthropology, English, history, humanities and philosophy. Combine a minor in religious studies with one of these majors or other areas of study such as education or journalism to enhance your future career opportunities or graduate studies.

Why study religious studies at UNH?

This minor offers the benefit of being a structured yet flexible undergraduate program,and your course of study will be tailored to your interests. The interdisciplinary nature of the program means you’ll explore religion from multiple viewpoints using multiple methodologies, which will provide you with both a broad and deep view of the subject. The College of Liberal Arts boasts an award-winning, internationally recognized faculty across its departments. You’ll receive excellent instruction as well as advising and mentoring to help you with career or graduate school preparation.

Potential career areas

  • Anthropology
  • Community advocacy
  • Law
  • Journalism
  • Museum curation
  • Nonprofit administration
  • Religious leadership
  • Teaching

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The religious studies program at the University of New Hampshire currently offers an interdisciplinary minor, bringing together courses in several fields that address religion as a cross-cultural and experiential phenomenon. Topics include beliefs, rituals, texts and the meaning of life as explored in a variety of religious traditions. A religious studies major is available through the self-designed major program. For more information, consult the coordinator.

02
Requirements for the Program
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Academic policies related to Minors.

Required Courses
HIST 483History of World Religions4
HUMA/RS 505Introduction to Religion4
Electives
Select three additional courses from an approved semester list.12
Total Credits20
Examples of Approved Electives
ANTH 640Anthropology of Islam: Muslims' Everyday Lives in Contemporary Communities4
ENGL 518WBible as Literature4
HIST 585Medieval Islam4
HUMA 526Humanities and Science (topic: Cognitive Science of Religion)4
PHIL 417God, Religion, and the Meaning of Life4

Additional Information

Students especially interested in religious studies are encouraged to combine the minor with further pertinent coursework in one of the established departments contributing to the program: classics, humanities and Italian studies; history; philosophy; anthropology and English. The religious studies self-designed major includes the minor requirements of HUMA 505/RS 505 Introduction to Religion and HIST 483 as well as eight other relevant courses, which can include independent studies. The program coordinator can aid in advising such a major program.

Courses ordinarily have some degree of focus on issues related to the academic study of religion, conceptualizing religion, or religious influences as a principal concern, asking comparative questions, and/or developing models of cross-cultural usefulness.

Interested students also should be alert for special topics courses in history (e.g. HIST 600 Explorations), English, anthropology (e.g. ANTH 500 Peoples and Cultures of the World), humanities, classics and other disciplines that might be relevant to the study of religion.