Every Concordia student gets a chance to experience the in-depth teaching in the religion department through core courses. Many elect to dive deeper into what the department offers, discovering more about world religions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism.
Classes range from biblical Hebrew to how pop culture shapes religion and religion shapes pop culture. Coursework in religion will help students to 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.
Courses in the faith and leadership concentration prepare you for leadership in faith communities, service organizations, nonprofits, outdoor ministry settings, graduate study in practical theology and more. The religion major with a faith and leadership concentration is designed to easily pair with other majors or minors.
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 a 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.
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 Jan Pranger and Elna Solvang. Offered alternating summers.
Courses in the faith and leadership concentration prepare you for leadership in faith communities, service organizations, nonprofits, outdoor ministry settings, graduate study in practical theology and more. The religion major with a faith and leadership concentration is designed to easily pair with other majors or minors.
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.
Dr. Elna Solvang and a group of religion students examined “the complexity of religion in the world” during a PEAK Seminar to Israel and Palestine in February 2018. They met with religious representatives and visited Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities and religious sites in Israel and the West Bank.
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 bi-monthly 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.
Studying religion at Concordia led me to understand religion in its broader cultural, social and personal contexts. I was given multiple lenses into studying Christianity, especially, and learned just how complex faith and religion can be. – Kristi Del Vecchio '13, Academic Initiatives Manager, Interfaith Youth Core