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The Requirements of a Religion Major...
In keeping with the liberal arts tradition, a major in religion at Furman includes studies in four areas: biblical studies, religions of the world, religious thought and religion and society. The specific courses included for the completion of the major are agreed upon in consultation with the department chair; thus, the design of the major may vary according to the interests, vocational direction, and needs of the student. In certain circumstances, the major may include electives from other departments. A major includes a minimum of eight courses numbered 20 or greater and must include REL A25 and REL 75.
Declaring a major in Religion...
First, we suggest you speak with current religion majors and faculty members-they are the best resources for truly understanding what it means to be a religion major! Next, schedule an appointment with the department chair (Dr. David Rutledge) to design your major with your special interests and vocational goals in mind. The major requirement checklist is helpful for this step!
Then, you will choose an major advisor who you will discuss your progress with as you proceed.
Finally, complete the official steps through Academic Records.
Easy as that!
Frequently Asked Questions about Majoring in Religion
>Why should I study Religion at Furman?
>What kinds of classes are offered?
> Who are the faculty members in the Religion department?
>What role does personal religious experience have in the academic study of religion?
>What about Furman's Baptist roots?
Why should I study Religion at Furman?
Religion pays a central role in virtually all societies, and it interacts with all other dimensions of culture. Indeed, religion is a fundamental dimension of the human experience. For these reasons, the academic study of religion at Furman is an indispensable part of the liberal arts curriculum.
What kinds of classess are offered?
The Department of Religion expects students to engage courses with the same kind of academic rigor and methods of critical inquiry found in other departments within the humanities and social sciences.
The study of Religion at Furman highlights the multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural nature of the discipline.
The Religion Department encourages both a breadth and depth of study. It offers a wide range of offerings, including courses in most major religious traditions (African religion, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Native American religion), Bible, ethics, and theology, as well as internships and travel study programs. Department courses include an exploration of the historical, social, and political dimensions of religion .
Who are the faculty members of the department?
You can find a list of faculty here
Faculty members are active scholars who have studied at some of the finest institutions in this country and abroad. They have published on a wide range of topics including biblical interpretation; Christian thought and history; ethics; religion and science; religion and literature; interreligious dialogue; Muslim-Christian relations; the history of Islam; and South-Asian religions.
The faculty consists of teachers and scholars from various denominational backgrounds. While remaining dedicated to teaching, they are also known for their desire to engage religious perspectives with issues in the contemporary world.
What role does personal religious experience have in the academic study of religion?
While it is situated clearly in the liberal arts curriculum, the study of religion is unique among the disciplines. At Furman we understand that the academic endeavor can never be separated completely from the personal exploration of religious questions.
While affirming that religious experiences, for example, may be interpreted sociologically or in a number of other ways, the Religion Department supports the view that it is academically misleading to suggest that these explanations preclude any genuinely religious interpretation.
Moreover, guided by its religious heritage as well as the academic enterprise, Furman affirms that such questions and interpretations are important.
What about Furman's Baptist roots?
Furman's heritage is freeing not restrictive. It provides a unique atmosphere in which religion can be studied academically and still be taken seriously. The University's heritage is rooted in the non-creedal, free church Baptist tradition. This has always valued particular religious commitments while insisting not only on the freedom of the individual to believe as he or she sees fit but also on respect for a diversity of religious perspectives, including the perspective of the non-religious person.
Furman's religious heritage has always maintained that the religious journey has both a private and public dimension and is a lifelong undertaking that cannot be not restricted by doctrinal propositions. Thus, faculty members, through scholarship, teaching, and example in their own lives, seek both to nurture and to challenge students in their religious reflections, spiritual growth, and attempts to understand sympathetically the religious perspectives of others.
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Departmental Awards and Honors...
We like to acknowledge the outstanding work of our students through several departmental awards. Here are the recipients for our various awards and honors in the past six years!
**The Department is pleased to announce a new departmental honor, the Robert L. Cate Research Fellowship, established in 2006 in honor of Baptist pastor and professor Dr. Robert L. Cate. The award, consisting of a stipend and a research opportunity with faculty, will be given each year to a senior religion major. The first recipient in 2006 is John William Duval.
Baggott Excellence Award, Male and Female
"Endowed by the Rev. and Mrs. James L. Baggott, annual awards of a medallion and cash to a senior man and woman on the basis of academic achievement and Christian character and for being an outstanding volunteer in church-related vocations."
2006 Lydia Keller Balmos, Andrew Jason Floyd
2005 Josh Copeland
2004 Lindley Sharp, Robbie Cloninger
2003 Shelley Hasty, Brandon Henman
2002 Jason Pagan, Beth Brown
2001 Zachary David Morgan
2000 Ethan Friddle, Amy Grizzle
Baggott Ministerial Award
"Endowed by the Rev. and Mrs. James L. Baggott. Annual award in cash or books and medallion to the outstanding graduating ministerial student, based on Christian dedication, leadership, academic record and promise of outstanding service as minister and preacher."
2006 Anna Leigh Lovett, Victor Paul Ingalls
2005 Chris Cox, Bailey Edwards
2004 Betsy Neely, Adam Schultz
2003 Alina Kelman, Hudson Neely
2002 David Shirk
2001 Christa Marie McCain
2000 Lauren Taylor
Scholarly Achievement Award
A reference volume "to honor students who have achieved excellence in biblical or theological studies," awarded to the senior religion major(s) with the highest academic average(s).
2006 Alicia Belle Wilson
2005 Mark Storslee
2004 Elaine Kelly, Amanda Fowler
2003 Tracy Wells, Hudson Neely
2002 Logan Hambrick, Anna Thurber
2001 Karen Vernice Guth
2000 Carl Gregg, Lori Garland, Keith McCoy
Special Service Award
An ad hoc award for a senior major whom the department wishes to honor for service or achievement falling outside the categories of the above awards
2003 Marcus Fresia
2000 Mary Catherine Foster, Russ Boyd
The David Anthony Smith Smith Award
This award honors a graduating senior for excellence in the study of world religions and for promotion of inter-religious understanding and dialogue.
2006 Halah Aziz Buhaisi, Cara Anne Krueger
2004 Melanie Trexler
2003 Tracy Wells
2001 Talia Rashid Gangoo, Melissa Paige Peterson
