Every Concordia student gets a chance to experience the religion department through core courses. Many dive deeper into what the department offers, discovering more about world religions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism.
Courses range from biblical Hebrew to how pop culture shapes religion and religion shapes pop culture. Coursework in religion will help students lead an examined life by building up self-knowledge and compassion for others throughout the world.
Religion courses will teach you history, diversity, tolerance, leadership, critical thinking, and analytical writing. Religion majors and minors are encouraged to pursue an emphasis that develops their particular interests and passions and prepares them for their vocational aspirations.
The interfaith studies minor promotes interreligious literacy with the cultivation of skills and competencies necessary for living in a pluralistic world. This is an emerging academic field that has the practical aim of developing professionals who can “responsibly engage the world” as interfaith leaders.
Where can you go with a religion major? Anywhere you like. Religion majors find careers all over the map. While some work in religious settings, many others work in businesses, higher education, and social justice organizations.
If you want to experience rich conversations, opposing viewpoints, and the opportunity to view faith from various religious perspectives through scholars who have expert information, spending some time in the religion department is just the place for you. Better yet, travel with some of these expert faculty members to religious sites around the world, including Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, China, and more.
The Santorini, Greece, experience is a monthlong abroad opportunity that combines the Religion in Global Context course with cultural immersion on the island of Santorini and in Turkey. This experience introduces students to basic language skills, cultural experiences, and the study of religion in Greece and Turkey. It introduces students to the complexity of the academic study of religion and its relation to culture in a global arena in a way that will help students develop critical knowledge and thinking skills about some of the most pressing modern social issues of our age — in this case, the Greek/Turkey refugee crisis.
Dr. Lelwica brought us to West Central Regional Juvenile Center every week to connect with some of the youth there. Talking to someone who can speak firsthand about the discrimination and historical trauma that has taken and still takes place in their lives is critical to our learning. There are layers to racism, and it’s important to understand and validate the individual stories as well as the stories that are shared between people of color.
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For more than 40 years, the religion department has hosted a tour to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to introduce participants to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. All interested students, faculty, and staff should inquire at the religion department office for details. We make visits to the Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox, and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches.
Mathetai is a student organization for students pursuing a major or minor in religion but is open to any student with an interest in religion. The group meets monthly or bimonthly to engage in open, respectful conversations about religion and theology. Past events have included trips to Orthodox churches, movie and discussion nights, and the annual pancake cook-off between religion professors.
Experience Christianity in a new light. Study four religion courses at the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Hong Kong and gain an opportunity to see the international Christian mission firsthand in one of the most energetic and internationally oriented cities in the world.
What role does religion play in apartheid in South Africa and the reconciliation or retribution during the process of change? You can answer those questions through firsthand experiences during a study abroad experience with religion professors. Offered alternating summers.
"At Concordia, I gained a greater appreciation for all religious traditions due in part to the many great conversations that I have had the pleasure to participate in. In every class, there was a sense of confidentiality that has allowed everyone to feel comfortable to contribute to class discussions."
"There are so many misconceptions and learning that you were wrong about something can be hard to come to terms with, but choosing to face those misconceptions and tear them down is helping yourself and your community as a whole — little by little."
"I have seen what hateful things can be done in the name of religion, especially when things are taken out of context, but I have also seen the beauty that can come from religion when studied using a differential hermeneutic and when looked at through the lens of interfaith and how individuals can find common ground through love, hope, and the common mess that it means to be human."
Concordia’s religion major enabled me to appreciate and be respectful of the diversity around me. The religion major cultivated compassion and kindness thanks to all the wonderful professors willing to listen and positively critique.
— Medora Frei ’17