Religious Studies
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About religious studies at St. Norbert College
As a major program in the liberal arts, religious studies helps cultivate a greater sensitivity to the complexity and diversity of Christian beliefs and practices in an increasingly international, multicultural and global environment. Courses in religious studies help develop a student's capacity for critical thinking and sound argumentation, preparing the student for a wide range of professional career choices.
In the undergraduate major in religious studies, students are introduced to the scholarly methods and analytical tools in the study of religion—namely literary, theological, historical, ethical and comparative. Students are also encouraged to engage in independent study and must participate in a research seminar. The course of study provides a solid grounding not only for those who wish to pursue graduate academic and pastoral studies in the field, but also for those who intend careers in religious education and in church ministry.
The academic minor augments the backgrounds of students whose major programs are in the social and natural sciences and complements those of students whose concentrations are from within the humanities and fine arts. The minor in liturgical studies features the distinctive component of a supervised internship in a local parish.
Why study religious studies?
Religion is a significant force in the contemporary world. It motivates human ideas and behaviors, shaping societies and cultures both for good and ill. Understanding how religion works can help you to understand current events, such as the the tragedy of 9/11/01, the conflict in Israel and the tensions in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Understanding religion also helps you to understand people and what inspires them.
Religious studies courses are designed to encourage thoughtful reflection about matters of faith. You do not have to be religious to study religion at St. Norbert College. You may simply want to explore questions of ultimacy and investigate how religious people grapple with them. But deepening your own faith might be reason enough to embark on a course of study that will challenge and broaden your perspective.
Religious studies mission statement
The religious studies discipline seeks to provide students with the opportunity to explore the role and significance of religion in human life and culture, grapple with the ultimate questions and issues religion addresses, reflect critically on the nature and meaning of diverse religious beliefs and practices, and investigate thoughtfully those biblical, historical, theological and ethical sources that contribute to the Christian heritage, particularly the Catholic tradition.
The goals of our program:
- Cultivate a critical awareness of and appreciation for the Catholic Christian tradition, its breadth and trajectory.
- Examine and promote an understanding of the nature, scope and significance of religion as it is embedded in diverse cultures and contexts.
- Investigate how the Christian tradition informs and is informed by its historical situation.
- Introduce students to the biblical sources of Jewish and Christian heritages.
- Enhance proficiency in the use of analytical tools and scholarly methods germane to the academic study of religion, thus increasing the capacity of students to interpret critically and appraise biblical, historical, theological, ethical and comparative materials.
- Foster thoughtful evaluations of and informed responses to ideas and practices relevant to the ethical, spiritual and ecclesiological dimensions of the Catholic heritage.
- Empower a greater integration of faith and work in the lives of students, especially as concerning the aspect of vocation.
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