Religous Studies
Old Main, 108
651-696-6141
Toni Schrantz
About the department
The courses of the department of religious studies focus on the
study of Christianity and Judaism in both their historical and contemporary
expressions, and on the major non-Western religious traditions.
While the introductory courses are broad in scope, they seek to
be selective enough to allow an in-depth encounter with source documents
through historical understanding. Methods of instruction include
not only lectures and seminars but also opportunities for independent
study and individual instruction. The program of the department
aims to serve not only students whose academic specialization is
religious studies but also students who seek courses that can help
unlock the religious dimensions encountered in other disciplines.
Religious studies is a broadly interdisciplinary investigation
that takes its place among the humanities, and majors typically
enter a broad range of vocations. Students planning to do post-graduate
work in religion and who plan either to teach, or to train for either
parish ministry or rabbinate, will profit from an exposure to religious
studies at the college level.
Nussbaum's talk titled "Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach" will investigate a new theoretical approach now increasingly influential on the international development scene: the "capabilities" or "human development" approach, discussing reasons for preferring it to standard approaches and looking at debates it has engendered about cultural pluralism and universality.