The Chowan University Department of Religion embraces the university’s history as a university founded by Baptists before the American Civil War. Thus, we are proud of our many majors and minors who enter seminary in order to prepare for Christian ministry. While we embrace our denominational heritage, we also seek to expand upon that heritage with a modern-day academic approach to the study of religion. This means that, because people of all backgrounds find religion a fascinating area of inquiry, any or no personal religious preference is welcome in our department. As such, some religion majors and minors may pursue careers in journalism, law, medicine, military service, and social work after graduation. We offer two degrees to students interested in majoring in religion.
Chowan University also offers a Religion Minor and a Missions Minor.
With a major or minor in religious studies, you will learn to read texts closely, think critically, and write clearly. These skills, hallmarks of a liberal arts education, prepare students for diverse areas of future graduate study and/or professional careers. Whatever your motivation for the study of religion, we invite you to pull up a chair and join us at the table for lively discussions centered upon the major religious traditions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
The Department of Religion offers many advantages. Students receive individual attention, as upper-level religion classes tend to have fewer than fifteen students. This allows students, like you, to build strong relationships with the professors and benefit from individual attention. Students also receive instruction from quality, highly trained faculty. All of our full-time professors hold a doctorate in their field of expertise.
The Department of Religion integrates three kinds of learning: foundational education, in which students acquire knowledge and skills; transformational knowledge, which aids students in developing spiritually; and professional education, which helps students define a sense of calling or direction.
Whether you are interested in the academic study of Religion, pursuing additional graduate study in the future, looking to add ethical value to your professional career, or following God’s call to ministry, the Department of Religion and Philosophy will equip you with a classic liberal arts education to meet your goals.
