Trying to make sense of the world today? Experience a bigger worldview. Explore religious life and thought in art, literature, philosophy and more, and examine the role it plays in society today.
Religion helps humanity find meaning and purpose. Through history, it has both united and polarized.
Study the world's great religious traditions, grapple with profound ethical and theological questions, and explore religion in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary context.
You will learn to interpret the dynamics of religious thought, convictions, actions and expressions. Some of the questions you will encounter include:
- What kind of life is most worth living?
- How do we understand the nature of the world?
- How do we relate to ourselves and others?
Study religious life and thought from the perspectives of arts, ethics, ethnography, gender, history, literature, mythology, philosophy, political theory, psychology, scriptural studies, social sciences and theology.
Knowledge of religion is critical in today’s world. The academic study of religion is not simply a critical undertaking. It is often a transforming experience, introducing you to unfamiliar aspects of your own world, and to the religious realities of our global situation.
What can I do with a religion degree?
Majoring or minoring in religion enables you to develop critical awareness and understanding of one of the foundations of human culture and society. Doing so provides a good foundation for careers in:
- Diplomacy
- Public policy
- International relations
- Civil rights law
- Social work
- Counseling
- Psychotherapy
- Medicine
- The arts
- Television, radio and film
- Public history
- Education
- Journalism
- And, of course, ministry in several faith traditions
Religion is central to the foundations of global societies with which diplomats and foreign relations experts must engage. Many double majors and minors recognize this benefit and couple a major or minor in religion with majors in international relations, political science, anthropology, philosophy, pre-law, studio art, art history, history, English and textual studies, foreign languages, or economics.
To learn more about your options, talk to you advisor today.
Study abroad
Broaden your perspective with an international experience through Syracuse Abroad. Religion majors often go abroad to Syracuse University centers in London and Madrid.
Summer programs of interest include Religion, Law, and Human Rights in a Comparative Perspective (Strasbourg, France); Exploring Jewish Life in Central Europe, Middle East Policies and Security Studies in Israel, and Revolutions, War, and the Prospects for Democracy in the Middle East (Dubai, UAE).
Upcoming Events
Books by Faculty
News
(May 21, 2026)
Grassroots Buddhist Charity in VietnamSara Ann Swenson G'21 examines how ordinary volunteers are reshaping Buddhism and humanitarian giving in urban Vietnam.
(May 21, 2026)
Religion Professor Named to AAASCox Miller joins a class of scholars, artists and public leaders elected to one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic societies.
(Feb. 19, 2026)
Ph.D. Student Recognized for Research on Islam and Indigenous TraditionsReligion doctoral student Andi Alfian is advancing global conversations on Indigenous Islamic traditions through award-winning research and a new book chapter on the relationship between humans and animals in Indonesia.
(April 25, 2025)
Professor Emerita of Religion Elected to the American Academy of Arts and SciencesProfessor Emerita Ann Gold is among 250 newly elected members recognized for their innovative work in addressing the significant challenges of our time.