Religion (RELG)

Chair: Professor Roger Jackson

The study of religion in all its facets is central to the goals of a liberal education: fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to be human by examining how people in diverse times and places have developed ideas and practices related to what is most real and valuable in human life. At Carleton, the study of religion is pursued as a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary field of inquiry within the humanities and social sciences.

Can I major in it? Yes, a major is offered.

Topics explored: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American religions, the religions of East Asia, and the relation between religion and, e.g., culture, politics, gender, philosophy, and ethics.

How to get started: Recommended courses for first-year students include: RELG 110: Introduction to Religion, RELG 120: Introduction to Judaism, RELG 121: Introduction to Christianity, RELG 122: Introduction to Islam, RELG 140: Religion in American Culture, RELG 150: Religions of South Asia, RELG 151: Religion in Chinese Culture, RELG 152: Japanese Religion and Culture, RELG 161: Patriarchs, Priests, Prophets, and Poets, RELG 162: Jesus, Paul, and Christian Origins (New Testament), and RELG 163: The Qur'an.

Judaic Studies (JSTD)

Contact: Professor Stacy Beckwith, Director of Judaic Studies

What is it? What topics are explored?

Judaic Studies at Carleton invites students to explore historical and contemporary manifestations of Jewish Civilization in diverse cultural contexts from the perspectives of many different modern academic disciplines. These include the study of Jewish history, thought, religion, literature, and socio-cultural experience.

Can I major in it?

No major or concentration is offered in Judaic Studies alone, however students may petition for a special major in Judaic Studies or take a concentrated program within a major in Religion. Some Judaic Studies courses are offered on a regular basis by the Religion Department. Other courses with a focus on Israel and its global Jewish heritage and connections are offered on a regular basis in English translation through the Hebrew program.

How to get started:

Look for Judaic focused courses in the Religion Department and through the Hebrew program, talk with Director Stacy Beckwith about literature and culture courses and with Professor Louis Newman about courses in the Religion Department.

Off Campus Study

Every year the Jonathan Paradise Israel Experience Fund provides up to three scholarships that can help students study in university or learning institute programs in Israel for an academic term or during the summer.

In 2009-10 Carleton will initiate its first off campus program in Israel, “Faith and Fiction: Exploring Israeli National Identity.” Professor Newman and Professor Beckwith will teach linked Judaic Studies courses in the fall: “The State of Judaism in the State of Israel” and “Discovering Literary Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.” Students from these courses will participate in a two week winter break program in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and back at Carleton they will complete research projects culminating in a symposium on Israeli national identity during Winter term. The application process for this program has already occurred but we are hopeful that this program will give rise to more Carleton study abroad opportunities in Israel.