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Religion and the Humanities
Program Coordinator: Jonathan Z. Smith, HM 403, 702-6022
Program of Study
The aims of the program in religion and the humanities are (1) the understanding
of religion as one of humankind's primary responses to and expressions of
the human condition and (2) an appreciation of the difficulties and possibilities
inherent in undertaking a critical, disciplined study of religion. The location
of the program within the Humanities Collegiate Division and its use of
courses from a variety of programs imply that neither the study of religion
nor its data are the privileged possession of a single discipline. The basic
courses, being problem oriented, imply that there is an intellectual tradition
of the study of religion that must be mastered.
Program Requirements
Basic Courses. All students in the program are required to take a
one-quarter course in each of four areas that serve as a disciplined base
for further work. These areas emphasize either key methodological questions
in the academic study of religion or characteristic religious data. No fewer
than two of these areas must be fulfilled by taking courses within the religion
and the humanities program; up to two of these areas may be fulfilled by
taking courses offered by other programs. Any variation requires the written
consent of the program coordinator. The four basic areas are as follows:
1. Basic problems in the study of religion (Area A). The intent is
to isolate a key problem in the study of religion and to examine critically
a representative sample of the kinds of data that give rise to the problem
and the sorts of answers that have been proposed.
2. Basic strategies in the interpretation of religion (Area B). One
or more fundamental approaches to the study of religion is carried through
a given body of religious materials with rigor and criticism.
3. Basic issues in the self-interpretation of religion (Area C).
A study of those texts whereby a religious tradition interprets itself to
its community and to those who are outside the tradition.
4. Religious literature and expression (Area D). The focus is on
specific religious texts or artifacts and techniques for their interpretation.
Other Courses in the Program. Students are required to take one Western
and one non-Western civilizational sequence (or their equivalents) in order
to gain appreciation for the problems of interpreting religion within a
wider historical and cultural setting. One of these sequences may be used
to fulfill the College's Common Core requirements. In addition to the four
basic courses, students, with the approval of the program coordinator, select
at least five courses from the wide range of College and graduate courses
regularly offered on some aspect of religion. Some of these may be independent
study. At least three of these courses must represent concentration in either
a particular religious tradition or in a coherent set of problems in the
study of religion. Finally, each student submits a senior project to be
developed in consultation with the program coordinator. For students eligible
for honors in the program, this project usually takes the form of a research
paper developed in consultation with the program coordinator.
Summary of Requirements
General Education Civilization sequence (may be Western or
non-Western)
Concentration 3 civilization sequence (Western or non-Western, whichever
was not taken for Common Core requirement)
4 courses, one in each of the four basic areas
5 courses in religion (three of which must represent an area of concentration)
- senior project
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Faculty
ANNE CARR, Professor, the Divinity School and the College
JONATHAN Z. SMITH, Robert O. Anderson Distinguished Service Professor of
the Humanities, Committee on the History of Culture, and the College; Program
Coordinator, Religion & the Humanities
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