Through prayer and ritual, pilgrimage and crusade, the practice of religion has shaped everything it has touched, and it continues to mold the human condition today.

Why Religious Studies at Sewanee?

The study of religion is central to a liberal arts education. Courses in religious studies here at Sewanee are designed to raise the central, burning questions that challenge us all: What is the nature of religion? How do human beings express their deepest beliefs, concerns, and faiths? Where do we find and how do we make sense of the sacred? What are our moral commitments and obligations?

From antiquity to postmodernity, China to Chattanooga, religion has shaped the human experience. At Sewanee, you will work with faculty through classes and independent studies to investigate the role of religion and the many faces it presents. The religious studies program benefits from multiple perspectives. By necessity, the study of religion is an interdisciplinary effort that requires investigation of history, culture, values, sacred texts, theology, and philosophical thought.

FIRST DESTINATIONS: Religious Studies MAJORS

Sewanee graduates secure positions in a variety of fields. Some you would expect, others are a bit of a surprise. Sewanee prepares you for your profession and your passion. Below is a sampling of recent graduates' first jobs.

  • Court assistant, Lincoln County Tennessee Courts, Fayetteville, Tennessee.
  • Maternal and child health volunteer, Peace Corps, Guatemala.
  • Youth Corps Team, Episcopal Service Corps, Waialua, Hawaii.
  • Youth director and young adult mentor, St. Peter's Episcopal Church.

A Sampling of Courses

Religious Studies

Programs of Study & Related Programs

Requirements for the Major & Minor in Religious Studies

Requirements for the Major & Minor in Philosophy | Website

Meet some professors

Contact

Tam Parker
Professor & Chair of Religious Studies

tparker@sewanee.edu

Walsh-Ellett 205, Ext. 1539

The Domain: An Immersive Experience