Religious Studies

Philosophy Department

Garvey Fine Arts Center
Room 233
(785) 231-1010 ext. 1542
www.washburn.edu/cas/philosophy

The Faculty
The Major
The Minor
Course Offerings
Return to Catalog Index

Source: 2005-2006 Catalog

Religious Studies courses examine the nature and function of religious beliefs and practices in the development of human self-understanding and in the conduct of human affairs. The curriculum presupposes that the study of religion involves a great variety of subjects which can be explored from the perspective of several different disciplines and in terms of multiple methodologies. Courses in the curriculum acquaint students with a rich diversity of scholarship on religion and with critical methods employed in the interpretation of religious phenomena. Students of all backgrounds and fields of study should find courses in religion helpful for understanding how religious ideas and ideals have shaped the way people live and think.

Student Learning Outcomes

Religious Studies students at Washburn University, upon graduation, are expected to have:

• acquired an understanding of the subject matter of, and methods used in the academic study of religion;
• acquired an understanding of the various methodological approaches to religion used by anthropology, sociology and philosophy;
• achieved an introductory understanding of the nature and diversity of world religions;
• attained knowledge beyond the introductory level of the diversity of religious beliefs and practices throughout the world;
• developed an understanding beyond the introductory level of a concentrated area of religious studies;
• displayed an advanced competence (at the undergraduate level) to deal with the various concepts and materials central to the academic study of religion; and demonstrated the ability to conduct and present research in written form, and orally defend positions taken in written work.