Course Overview

The Religious Studies program at Northwestern University offers a comprehensive exploration of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices across global cultures and historical contexts. The program emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, and engagement with primary texts and contemporary issues. Students can tailor their studies to focus on specific traditions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, or Buddhism, while also examining the role of religion in society, politics, and ethics.

Unique Features

A distinguishing aspect of this program is its integration with Northwestern’s strong liberal arts tradition, providing opportunities for cross-disciplinary study with fields like history, anthropology, and philosophy. The department also fosters engagement through seminars, guest lectures, and research opportunities with faculty who are leaders in their fields.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Religious Studies program are equipped for diverse career paths in education, non-profit organizations, public policy, counseling, and religious leadership. The critical thinking and cultural competency skills developed in the program are highly valued in roles that require understanding of global and community issues.

Key Faculty and Staff

The department includes renowned scholars such as Professor Richard Kieckhefer, a specialist in medieval Christianity and mysticism, and Professor Sarah Taylor, whose work focuses on religion and ecology. Faculty members are actively involved in mentoring students and guiding research projects.

Unique Facilities and Partnerships

Students have access to Northwestern’s extensive library resources, including specialized collections in religious texts and archives. The university also maintains partnerships with local religious communities and interfaith organizations, providing opportunities for fieldwork and experiential learning.