Religion

The Bachelor of Arts in Religion provides opportunities to study the meaning, purpose, and destiny of human life in relation to diverse notions of the Sacred. As such, it equips students to understand the mental disposition, beliefs, values, experiences, and histories of communities of faith as expressed in their dependence and fellowship with Mystery, varied worship activities, sacred literature, oral traditions, and service to society.

Committed to the Christian tradition and the United Methodist Church, the Religion program offers three tracks to prepare students for a religious career. In the Religious Studies concentration, students focus primarily on Biblical and Christian theological themes along with an in-depth study of one other major world religion. In the Christian Vocation-Music concentration, students focus on the integration of theological studies and music to serve churches in their worship ministry more effectively. In the Christian Vocation - Religious Education concentration, students focus on the integration of theological studies and education to serve churches in their teaching ministry more effectively.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religion will be able to:

1. Understand the five major religions of the world (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).
2. Understand the Judeo-Christian traditions.
3. Clarify their religious vocation.
4. Think critically and express their ideas in writing, speech, and visual media.
5. Become familiar with a variety of research methods used by religious scholars.
6. Develop their own theoretical and practical understanding of moral and spiritual issues.

Special Features and Activities

• Religion major students are offered the opportunity to participate in the following activities:
• Visits to and study of various north Georgia religious communities.
• Publication of their own student essays in selected classes, blogs or magazines.
• Hear and discuss issues with well-known church and academic scholars and leaders.
• Participate in mission trips sponsored by the Chaplain’s office to places like Texas, Kentucky, Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, Venezuela, and Poland.
• Discuss with religious practitioners various forms of ministry to better discover one’s own calling and vocation.
• Participate in regular and planned visits to Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
• Present research at the Robert L. Driscoll Convocation of Artists and Scholars.
• Serve non-for-profit organizations