RELIGIOUS STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS

Religion unlocks insight to humanity.

As educators, we believe that an understanding of religion as a concept and practice allows us to better understand humanity. This is the foundation for connecting with people, understanding people and accepting people, especially those with different views, beliefs and experiences from our own. In keeping with the Mercy tradition, we are committed to fostering awareness of regional, national and global issues of justice that emerge within religious contexts and society. With our twenty-first century curriculum, we aim to develop and hone skills in communication, argumentation, research, social justice, cultural awareness, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking.

Minors

Catholic Studies

The Catholic Studies Minor is composed of six courses (18 credits) chosen from the following three areas:

Catholic Studies: These courses specifically designed to deepen understanding of the Catholic tradition, both past and present. All students seeking the minor must take Exploring Catholicism (CST 100) and one other course from this category.
Religious Studies: One designated Religious Studies course.
Interdisciplinary Studies: One designated course from an approved list.
Electives: Students may choose two other courses from any of the three categories.

Ethics

Students seeking the ethics minor will be required to take six courses (18 credits) including:

Introduction to Ethics (PHIL 190).
Two courses from a selection of second level ethics courses offered by Philosophy, Religious Studies, Catholic Studies, or Anthropology.
Three elective courses from an approved list, which come from a variety of departments.
All students must take a minimum of one 300 or 400 level course.
There is an additional requirement of an internship through ELIES that will be either zero or 1 credit, depending on the needs of the student. Those internships will need the approval of the ELIES director.

Religion & Society

The religion and society minor is tailored to the special needs of students in pre-professional programs, giving them insight into the role religion plays in daily activities and decision making. The focus of this minor is the intersection of religion and contemporary social life from traditional religions to cults. Students will also explore special topics from death and dying to the religion and violence. Requirements include five RLST courses (15 credits) including:

What is Religion? (RLST 100), or Sacred Texts (RLST 110), or World Religions (RLST 115)
Three designated religion and society courses - choose one from each category;
- Global Civil Society
- Global Awareness
- Global Issues
One elective additional course from one of the three religion and society categories
- RLST senior seminar is recommended but not required and can be the elective
At least one course must be 300 level or higher
There is an addition service learning component that will be either zero or 1 credit, depending on the needs of the student. The service learning component will require the approval of the Cahir of Religious Studies.

Religious Studies

A religious studies minor requires a minimum of six courses (18 credits) in RLST including the following:

One course in each of the curricular categories:
- Tradition, Texts, and History
- Pluralism, Comparison, and Society
- Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics
Three RLST electives
Senior Seminar (RLST 480) is recommended but not required as one of these electives
One of the six courses must be 300 level or above (including the senior seminar)

B.A. in Religious Studies

The academic study of religion is a central component to the humanities curriculum of Mercyhurst University. Through diverse course offerings, the Religious Studies department cultivates understanding of the human experience. It provides students with a breadth of knowledge within the field and essential skills for full participation in a globalized world. Students will cultivate reflective and critical thinking skills through the study of religion’s broad impact on human life and society.

A Religious Studies major requires a minimum of 10 courses, including two courses in each of the following areas: Tradition, Texts, and History; Pluralism, Comparison, and Society; and Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics.

Fast Facts

Religious Studies majors often double major in another discipline, which allows them to achieve a well-rounded education that opens doors to multiple career options upon graduation
Due to its humanizing nature, Religious Studies is an excellent complement to other majors and is encouraged for students who want to pursue work in intelligence or medical fields
Our graduates have pursued advanced degrees at institutions such as Yale University, the University of Chicago and Emory University
Mercyhurst’s Religious Studies department is the only one among the four universities in Erie County staffed by full-time Ph.D.-holding faculty
While Mercyhurst's roots are founded in Catholicism, we also welcome and affirm a spirit of universal Christian and interfaith openness

Learning Outcomes

Develop skills of the discipline such as:
- Analyze and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources.
- Compose scholarship with respect to the academic study of religion.
- Critique scholarship with respect to the academic study of religion.
Recognize multiplicity within religious traditions.
Compare and contrast religious traditions.
Apply ideological paradigms.

SERVICE LEARNING

We stand by the assumption that religion goes hand-in-hand with community service and volunteer work, which is why we emphasize to our students the importance of their involvement in the local community.

WRITING TO LEARN

We stress the importance of developing critical writing skills in the field by requiring essays, papers, and critiques and providing additional opportunities for revisions and consultation with faculty.

CAREER OUTCOMES

Graduates have gone on to work in ministry and service organization, the arts, health professions, social work, business and intelligence positions, as well as pursue advanced degrees at esteemed institutions.

Degree Requirements

A religious studies major requires a minimum of ten courses (30 credits) in RLST including the following:

Two courses in each of the three curricular categories:
- Tradition, Texts, and History
- Pluralism, Comparison, and Society
- Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics
Senior Seminar (RLST 480; offered biannually. Students who cannot take it in the year required will take the thesis credit instead, RLST 490)
Three RLST electives
Two of the ten courses must be 300 level or above, (in addition to the senior seminar).

Theta Alpha Kappa

The Religious Studies Department at Mercyhurst University has the Alpha Kappa Lambda chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a national Religious Studies and Theology honor society associated with the American Academy of Religion.

Students inducted into this society are leaders in the department - meeting with guest speakers and participating in special events for the department. Because the University has a chapter, all University students have the opportunity to apply for the Clark Award through Theta Alpha Kappa for an undergraduate paper and to submit papers in Religious Studies or Theology to the Theta Alpha Kappa Journal.

Mercyhurst University understands the academic study of religion as an important discipline within the overall humanities curriculum. Religious experience and inquiry are taken seriously in the Mercy educational tradition as integral to the human quest for meaning and value. The Religious Studies Department respects the religious freedom of its students who are encouraged to think creatively and critically about religious and theological questions. Mercyhurst affirms its Roman Catholic heritage and identity while also honoring and studying other religious traditions. Although emphasis is given to Catholic thought and praxis, the spirit of ecumenical and interfaith openness is a characteristic of the Department and of the University itself. Central to studies of all religious traditions are critical inquiries into justice, peace, human freedom, and community.