Academic Program

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2025-26.

Faculty
Professors Cushing, Frank, Martin, Sindima, Vecsey
Associate Professors Abbas (Chair), Reinbold, Sullivan
Assistant Professor Davenport
Visiting Assistant Professor Blackshear
Senior Lecturer Stahlberg

The Department of Religion at Colgate offers a program of study that challenges students to explore the role of religion across cultures and historical periods, and to think critically about the nature and expression of religiousness. Religion courses offer training in a unique combination of skills, including close textual analysis, direct observation, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding.

Beyond the introductory 100-level courses, the department offers a variety of courses regarding diverse African, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and Native American traditions. These "Tradition" courses (RELG 201 to RELG 219) provide students with a strong foundation in the study of a particular religion. The department also offers courses (RELG 220 to RELG 269) on the many dimensions of religion, including its intersections with existential questions, contemporary culture, the environment, war and peace, terrorism, medicine, gender, technology, and the law, and courses on seminal religious texts (RELG 270 to RELG 279). Our more advanced 300- and 400-level courses emphasize theoretical approaches to the study of religion.

The study of religion is necessarily interdisciplinary, making reflective use of the full variety of liberal arts methods. It engages related issues in philosophy, ethics, society, spirituality, science, gender, sexuality, arts, and politics. Thus, a major or minor in religion may serve as a natural complement to other majors. Students in the arts and humanities, for instance, will find that the study of religious texts and worlds affords them greater insight into literature and visual art.

Students in political science, history, environmental studies, and other social science fields will find that our courses enable them to explore significant religious approaches to law and politics and to think deeply about the role of ethics and morality in public life. Students interested in careers in medicine and the health sciences will find that courses in religion equip them to cultivate greater cross-cultural sensitivity and to evaluate the moral complexity of current scientific advances.

The success of our graduates indicates that a major in religion provides excellent preparation for a number of careers, including education, government, journalism, medicine, finance, law, social work, and professional service in non-profit organizations and religious institutions.

Awards

The M. Holmes Hartshorne Memorial Awards for Excellence — established as an award for students who, in the judgment of the department, have done exceptional work in philosophy and/or religion.

The M. Holmes Hartshorne Memorial Award for Postgraduate Study in Philosophy and/or Religion — established as an award for a graduating senior, for achievement in the study of philosophy and/or religion and, depending on financial need, to assist the recipient with postgraduate study in philosophy, religion, or philosophy and religion at a recognized graduate or divinity school.

The Robinson Essay Prize — established in honor of Joseph Robinson and awarded on the basis of an essay written for a 200- or 300-level course in the department during the previous spring or fall semesters.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement cannot be presumed since examinations in this area are not given

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit for graduation requirements may be awarded by the registrar. Transfer of credit toward major or minor requirements requires prior written permission from both the registrar and the department. Normally no more than two transfer credits may count toward major or minor requirements. Seminar credit is not transferable.

Honors

Religion

All candidates for honors in religion who wish to write on a religious theme are required to take an advanced course in religion in the fall of the senior year. At the end of the course, the faculty member may recommend that a student's paper be reworked into an honors thesis.

In the spring of the senior year, candidates for honors normally take an independent study () with their honors adviser. The honors thesis — a substantial piece of research, analysis, or critique — is turned in to the adviser several weeks before the end of the term. If the adviser decides that the thesis can stand for honors, the honors candidate meets during exam week with his or her adviser and two other faculty readers and fields questions: the honors defense. Ideally the question and answer session becomes a forum for intellectual exchange between the student writer and the faculty readers. A student is awarded honors on the basis of both the quality of the written thesis and the conduct of the honors defense. For the Class of 2026, no student can be awarded honors, however, who does not have at least a GPA of 3.40 in his or her major. For the Class of 2027 and later years, no student can be awarded honors, however, who does not have at least a GPA of 3.60 in his or her major.

Philosophy and Religion

Candidates for honors in Philosophy and Religion normally take an independent study ( or ) with their honors adviser during the spring term of their senior year. The honors thesis - a substantial piece of research, analysis, or critique - is turned in to the adviser several weeks before the end of the term. If the adviser and two other faculty readers decide that the thesis can stand for honors, the honors candidate meets during exam week with his or her adviser and the two other faculty readers - a committee consisting of Philosophy and Religion faculty - and fields questions: the honors defense. Ideally the question and answer session becomes a forum for intellectual exchange between the student writer and the faculty readers. A student is awarded honors on the basis of both the quality of the written thesis and the conduct of the honors defense. No student can be awarded honors, however, who does not have at least a GPA of 3.40 in the Philosophy and Religion major.

Study Groups

During the spring semester the Department of Religion, in conjunction with the Department of Philosophy, offers a study group at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland's first university, founded in 1413. Other than the director's course, which is taught by a Colgate faculty member, students take courses of their choice from among those offered by the University of St. Andrews, at which they are enrolled for the semester. For more information see  and .

 

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses