BA in Religion (Honors) in Rochester United States | University of Rochester

Throughout history and into modern times, religion has served as a powerful global influence. It significantly impacts personal lives while molding broader societal and cultural frameworks. Those who study religion utilize multiple theoretical perspectives and interpretive methods to comprehend its varied manifestations across cultures and eras.
The University of Rochester's Religion program provides two major tracks - Religion and Religion, Politics & Society - allowing students to examine religious traditions through historical texts, artifacts, and contemporary practices. The curriculum emphasizes religion's intricate connections to human culture, encouraging students to investigate how religious beliefs both influence and are influenced by gender, sexuality, medicine, politics, law, arts, nationalism, conflict, and morality. As an interdisciplinary field, religious studies incorporates diverse analytical approaches to deepen understanding.
Through seminars, specialized reading courses, international study opportunities, and senior tutorials, students engage in focused exploration of specific topics. The program also permits enrollment in select courses at Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary, with access to their renowned theological collections.
Admission to this program requires exceptional academic performance, readiness for advanced research, and demonstrated ability for independent scholarly work.
The honors program concludes with students developing and defending an original thesis, typically preceded by preparatory independent study in prior semesters.