Why Choose Religious Studies?
Religion Matters
Religion is a vital force in the human experience. It is exciting, energetic, and a transformative element in people’s lives, in the world, and New York City. Through the Religious Studies and Theology, we examine human beings and societies in their most hopeful and challenging moments.
At Manhattan University, Religious Studies is built into the core curriculum. Every student, regardless of school or major, takes three religious studies courses, starting with The Nature and Experience of Religion. This makes Religious Studies an ideal minor (with only two additional courses) or double major with some courses counting towards other majors.
The study of religion is crucial because it help us:
- Ask big questions and develop a critical depth of understanding of the world, humanity and ourselves
- Understand the past and the present for the sake of the future
- Foster empathetic engagement with the religious diversity of our world
- Become engaged and globally literate citizens
The Coursework
Religious Studies at Manhattan University is an interdisciplinary academic major that takes advantage of our New York City location to explore important topics using different approaches, including sociology and theology. Some courses look at specific religions, while others address topics across multiple traditions including bioethics, environmental justice, spirituality, gender, science, social justice, and New York City. Generally, the 200-level courses relate in some way to the Catholic tradition, while the 300-level courses focus on religious traditions.
As a Religious Studies student, you will have the opportunity to take courses on:
- ancient religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism
- Catholic intellectual tradition and Catholic social teaching
- new religious movements, religion in pop culture and cutting-edge philosophy of religion
- theories on the afterlife
- mysticism and meditation
The Hands-on Experiences
Religious Studies involves much more than just sitting in a classroom and studying from a textbook. As one of the most religiously diverse cities in the world, New York City offers a number of opportunities for students to engage people, cultures, and groups in creative ways, from site visits to churches, temples and museums to internships and community engaged learning with nonprofits, schools, media networks.
Go Beyond
Majors and minors in Religious Studies have the opportunity to get involved in our two globally recognized centers:
Both centers offer opportunities for students to get directly engaged in local and global discussions and professional networking on some of the most pressing issues of the time.