Religion faculty: Dr. David Ratke, Dr. Rufus Moretz, Dr. Larry Yoder (missing: Dr. Joe Glass).

Why Study Religion?
Religion has been and will continue to be an important part of human culture. Religion has been a part of the past and continues to be part of our present. Witness the religious dimensions of current events in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, India. You might consider that religion stills plays a role in contemporary America. It's rare that a politician doesn't end a speech with "God bless America". Many sporting events open with prayer as do other civic events. Most people mark important passages in their lives with religious rites and celebrations (e.g. birth, marriage and death). 

Many students ask, "What can I do with a religion degree?" Some graduates become leaders in religious communities, but many others go into different careers. Recently one student began medical school for example. Others have gone to law school or graduate school. Studying religion gives people a unique set of skills in critical thinking, of understanding other cultures, and observation. These skills are often highly sought after by many employers. Religion graduates know how to synthesize things, how to explain things to others, how to persuade others to their point of view, how to understand the people who make any business work.  Students learn all types of skills that are transferable and which are highly sought after by employers: reading and analysis, speaking and writing, picking up ideas quickly, critical thinking, pedagogy, pattern-finding, drawing conclusions from evidence, persuasion, and so on. Religion students are encouraged to think about why they are on earth, about where they are going, about what some of the greatest and most creative thinkers in the past have said about the meaning of human existence, about what is most worth doing in life, and about how people might best spend their hard-earned money.

For more on why you should study religion click here. 

Major
The student may choose from three tracks: (1) History and Thought; (2) Family Development; and (3) Outdoor Personal and Religious Development.

Minors
The student minoring in Religious Studies--History and Thought is required to take at least one course in biblical studies (REL  101,102); and at least three courses in the history-and-thought sequence (REL 310, 320, 330, 340); and any two (2) electives from the offerings in Religion (excluding 100 and 400).

Religious Studies
Courses in Religious Studies are designed to help individuals clarify their religious convictions and life goals, as well as to provide preparation for persons who anticipate further study.

Religion and Philosophy
The major in Religion and Philosophy seeks to enrich students' appreciation of the history of reflection on the meaning of life and to enhance his/her understanding of current religious and philosophical issues. The major is especially recommended for students seeking an adequate foundation for further study in Religion and Theology. It is also appropriate for anyone interested in a general liberal arts degree with concentration in these areas.

Honors
A student who majors in Religious Studies may on invitation from the Religion faculty elect to pursue honors work in the major. To graduate "With Honors in Religious Studies" a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum major GPA of 3.2 and complete at least nine (9) credit hours of honors courses, including REL 490 and two (2) other honors courses in the program and be nominated by the Religion faculty. A student who majors in Religion and Philosophy may, on invitation from the faculty in Religion and Philosophy, elect to pursue honors work in the major. To graduate "With Honors In Religion and Philosophy" a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum major GPA of 3.2 and complete at least nine (9) credit hours of honors courses in Religion and Philosophy, including either REL 490 or PHI 490. In addition he/she must be nominated by the faculty of the Religion and Philosophy Program. Honors courses in Religion and Philosophy may be selected with approval from honors offerings in these two (2) areas.

Special Features
Relationship between majors. While he or she may be required to take a common core of courses, the student who majors in two (2) areas offered by the program may count only six (6) hours of credit from courses used to fulfill the requirements of the first major to fulfill the total credit-hour requirements of the second major. A similar limitation applies to the student who elects both a major and minor offered by the Program, except that in such instances only three (3) hours of duplicate course credit may be applied. Students who do not wish to pursue a major in  the program but who wish to prepare themselves for general church work may, with a baccalaureate degree, obtain the Christian Education Certificate by completing the following courses: Religion 261, 262, 361, 362. This Certificate qualifies a student to take a responsible leadership role in church work and often is sufficient for full-time church employment.

Center for Theology
The Center for Theology was created in the Centennial Year of the College as a reaffirmation of the intention of the school's founders to establish and maintain a Christian college. To visit the Center for Theology home page, click here.

Program Contacts

Religion Program
P.O. Box 7285
Hickory, N.C. 28603

Faculty