Religious Studies

CHAIR: Timothy Cahill, Ph.D., Office: 409 Bobet Hall
Professors: Robert Gnuse, Denis Janz, Kenneth Keulman, Catherine Wessinger
Associate Professors: Peter Bernardi, S.J., Boyd Blundell, Timothy Cahill
Assistant Professors: Terri Bednarz, R.S.M., Aaron Spevack
Extraordinary Faculty: Michael Bouzigard, S.J., Ann Daniells, Victoria Hippard, Robert Loewy, Michael A. Novak, Mari Rethelyi, Elizabeth Willems, S.S.N.D.
WEB PAGE: http://chn.loyno.edu/religious-studies

The academic study of religion is pursued in a spirit of free intellectual inquiry. The immediate concern of the religious studies program is to achieve an understanding of the person as a religious believer and of the impact of religion upon human existence. This means that religion is reflected upon as a force that has shaped and been shaped by social, political, scientific, and ethical concerns. Since Loyola is a Catholic university, these studies are undertaken from within the perspective of the Catholic tradition. The Department of Religious Studies is ecumenical both in the composition of its faculty and in its outlook.

Students electing a religious studies major are assigned a faculty adviser in the department. They can choose a track in Christianity or a track in World Religions. For the track in Christianity, students must complete 30 credit hours of religious studies with the following required courses: Introduction to World Religions (prerequisite), Old Testament as Literature, New Testament as Literature, Christian Ethics, Early Christian Thought, Medieval Christian Thought, Modern Christian Thought, one major elective (not in Common Curriculum), and three additional elective courses. For the track in World Religions, students must complete 30 credit hours of religious studies with the following required courses: Introduction to World Religions (prerequisite), Old Testament as Literature, New Testament as Literature, one of Early, Medieval, or Modern Christian Thought, one major elective (not in Common Curriculum), and six additional elective courses. Minors are also available in both tracks. Adjuncts in appropriate disciplines and foreign language study are encouraged.

The Department of Religious Studies supports and oversees the interdisciplinary minor in Catholic Studies.  The department's longstanding commitment to interdisciplinary learning is evidenced not only in its curriculum, but in the support of interdisciplinary majors and minors across the university.  We offer courses in support of the following interdisciplinary minors: Asian Studies, Catholic Studies, Latin American Studies, Legal Studies, Medieval Studies, Middle East Peace Studies, Womens Studies.

Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies
Christianity Track

Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies World Religions Track

View Religious Studies Course Descriptions

(View Common Curriculum Requirements.)