Religious Studies Minor

The religious studies program at the University of New Hampshire currently offers an interdisciplinary minor, bringing together courses in several fields that address religion as a cross-cultural and experiential phenomenon. Topics include beliefs, rituals, texts and the meaning of life as explored in a variety of religious traditions. A religious studies major is available through the self-designed major program. For more information, consult the coordinator.

Examples of Approved Elective Courses

Students especially interested in religious studies are encouraged to combine the minor with further pertinent coursework in one of the established departments contributing to the program: classics, humanities and Italian studies; history; philosophy; anthropology and English. The religious studies self-designed major includes the minor requirements of HUMA 505/RS 505 Introduction to Religion and HIST 483 as well as eight other relevant courses, which can include independent studies. The program coordinator can aid in advising such a major program.

Courses ordinarily have some degree of focus on issues related to the academic study of religion, conceptualizing religion, or religious influences as a principal concern, asking comparative questions, and/or developing models of cross-cultural usefulness.

Interested students also should be alert for special topics courses in history (e.g. HIST 600 Explorations), English, anthropology (e.g. ANTH 500 Peoples and Cultures of the World), humanities, classics and other disciplines that might be relevant to the study of religion.

Students interested in the religious studies minor should see the coordinator to fill out an intent-to-minor form by the beginning of their junior year.