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General Information

The Department of Religious Studies offers courses about the teachings and practices of the world’s major religions from an academic perspective. Courses focus on the history and philosophy of religions including their origins, sacred texts, rituals and practices, beliefs, and subgroups. The courses provide a broad understanding of the nature and role of religion in the world’s many cultures, present and past, for students in all fields, as well as integrated programs for majors in religious studies.

The department annually sponsors two programs, the Ira E. Gaston Lecture in Christianity and the Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Asian Religion, which bring eminent scholars to campus for lectures and seminars.

Undergraduate Studies

Students have the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies at the University of Oregon. The department offers both a major and minor in this field. We currently offer courses from a variety of topics and religions. For more information please select the “undergraduate” menu link above.

Students interested in graduate work are strongly advised to begin the study of their primary source languages during their undergraduate career. Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin are source languages offered at UO that fall in the expertise of our current faculty.

Religious Studies also offers instruction in Arabic Studies in which a student can receive a minor. Please visit the Arabic Studies website for more information: arabic.uoregon.edu

Graduate Studies

The Religious Studies Department does not offer a graduate degree. Students may work with faculty members from religious studies as well as other university departments toward an Interdisciplinary Studies: Individualized Program (IS:IP) master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.). Contact the Graduate School for more information about IS:IP or see the website: http://gradschool.uoregon.edu/isip.

Religious Studies’ role in Encouraging an Inclusive Campus

The Religious Studies faculty supports an inclusive, diverse campus.  Our role toward these ends is to encourage understanding across religious traditions.  In response to hate-crimes against religious minorities on campus, the Religious Studies committee on diversity is charged with working with the College of Arts and Sciences to program events to educate the campus on the experience of these religious minorities.

Diversity Action Plan