Religious Studies Major | LSU Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies

Understanding ourselves as human beings requires knowledge of religion in all its diversity. As a discipline with the broader humanities, Religious Studies provides an extraordinarily fascinating way to study the world and its people while helping students to develop the ability to think hard and responsibly about complicated issues as well as their own commitments, principles, and values.

Located within the largest public university in Louisiana, our program offers an academic, non-confessional approach to the study of religion. Our flexible curriculum, structured to fit the needs and interests of students, has been designed by scholars with expertise in a variety of religious traditions. They approach the study of religion from historical, philosophical, literary, anthropological, and theoretically critical perspectives. The faculty includes many scholars who have won prestigious teaching awards and research grants. The program boasts low student-to-faculty ratio that permits students to work closely with faculty members to design their course of study.

For more information, contact the Undergraduate Advisor for Religious Studies.

Click here for current course listings and a list of upcoming course descriptions.

Religious Studies Major Requirements (27 hours)

Total of Nine REL Courses (27 Hours) --

Take any two of the following foundational REL courses (6 hours):

REL 1000: Religions of the World
REL 2000: What Is Religion?
REL 2027: Asian Religions
REL 2029: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Take any six REL electives (18 hours):

One at the 4000-level
Three at the 3000- or 4000-level
Two at 1000-, 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level

Take the capstone (3 hours):

REL 4301: Theories of Religion

Religious Studies Minor Requirements (15 hours)

Take two foundational REL courses (6 hours):

REL 2027: Asian Religions
REL 2029: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Take three REL electives (9 hours):

Two at the 3000- or 4000-level
One at 1000-, 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level

Why major in Religious Studies?

Religious Studies majors cultivate a deep literacy of religious traditions throughout the world alongside a familiarity with the latest scholarly approaches to the study of religion. They examine texts and traditions, histories and myths, rituals and symbols, individuals and institutions, all while scrutinizing the very terms and words that we use to describe these phenomena.

Our students also develop the kinds of skills that will serve them on any professional path, skills like versatile problem-solving, effective communication in speech and writing, and strong critical analysis of texts, ideas, practices, and cultures. Our students learn how to foster within themselves a global perspective, how to question and critique all forms of power, and how to practice teamwork to make culturally-informed and nuanced decisions.

While our graduates won't graduate with specific job training, they will come out with a knowledge-base and skill-set that serves them in any job out there. For proof, check out the success stories below.

Where have our students ended up?

Mary "Newfound" Leavines
LSU, Religious Studies Major, Class of 2016

Appalachian Thru-HIker (Georgia to Maine) and Owner of the The Grove Hostel in Franklin, NC

Edward Colbert
LSU , Religious Studies Major, Class of 2017

Owner of Everyday Fitness Studio in Gonzales, LA

Undergraduate Program in Religious Studies

Majoring in Religious Studies

Total of Nine REL Courses (27 Hours) --