The profound presence of religion in our world cannot be underestimated. People all over the world welcome life, suffer adversity, serve humanity, and hope for betterment because of their religious convictions. The program in Religious Studies at Brevard takes the reality of religion very seriously and includes courses that seek to accomplish the following:

• Teach students to understand their own religious commitments more deeply, as well as to listen fairly and charitably to religious viewpoints other than their own.
• Instill in students an appreciation for the diversity of religious traditions, introducing them to the basic beliefs and practices of various world religious traditions, past and present.
• Enable students to master the basic concepts and vocabulary of the college-level study of religion as well as the methods and tools of academic research in religion.
• Prepare students for continued study in religion and/or for vocations in ministry.

Many religion majors pursue advanced degrees, some in related fields (M.Div. or M.T.S. degrees in seminaries; History, Art History, Counseling, Education) and some in other areas (Law, Psychology, Political Science, Medicine). Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments.

What makes the Brevard College Religious Studies Program unique?
• We offer a blend of theoretical and practical interests, encouraging students to do hands-on projects
such as the creation of summer camp curricula as well as more traditional, “academic” research.
• We offer students a marvelous opportunity to combine their academic study of religion with the many skills offered through our Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education (WLEE) program. This is an exciting and highly marketable combination that only a limited number of schools can offer to students interested in ministerial vocations (Outdoor Ministries, Counseling and Educational Ministries, Youth Ministries).

Why you should consider religious studies?
At Brevard College we seek to understand other people’s faith journeys as well as our own with the critical and open-minded spirit that befits the mystery and power of religion. You should consider this major if you wish to understand the religious and philosophical roots of so much that is happening in today’s world, since religious traditions have shaped every area of human endeavor, ranging from sex to political systems, war to peace, work to play. Moreover, if you wish to be able to respond appropriately to questions that other people put to you about contemporary religious concerns, you need to have a solid grounding in biblical studies, historical traditions, and ethics.

What types of opportunities are graduates discovering?
• Director of Religious Education
• Youth Director
• Camp Counselor or Director (requires additional study in Wilderness Leadership)
• Director of Choirs (requires additional study in music)
• Public Service / Nonprofit Organizations
• Private school teacher
• Law School
• Graduate School

Graduates are also serving in the area of:
Camp Manager; International Camp Recruiter; Training Museum Curator; Working with Nonprofit agency; and Deaconess in United Methodist Church.

Courses offered within the Religious Studies major:
• Religious Traditions and the Arts
• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
• Faith Development and Religious Education
• Israelite and Christian Writings Outside the Bible
• Philosophy and the Christian Intellectual Tradition
• Environmental Theology
• Women and Religion

Faculty Highlights:
Thomas J. Bell, Ph.D. Emory University
Associate Professor of Religion
Will soon have published a book on Medieval Philosopher and Musician Peter Abelard.
Has an undergraduate degree in Classical Guitar Performance and has made extensive study of the Jazz style of Joe Pass.

Mary Louise Bringle, Ph. D. Emory University
Professor of Philosophy and Religion; Chair, Humanities Division
Has published two books on the deadly sins tradition, served as a consultant on eating disorders for the Office of Health Ministries of the Presbyterian Church USA, and been named an “emerging hymn text writer” by the Hymn Society in the US and Canada.

Scholarship Information:
The Humanities Division awards Religious Studies scholarships to upperclassmen who have declared their major and excelled in the classroom. Scholarship amounts vary based on the number of qualified students. All new students, freshmen and transfer students, regardless of major, may qualify for academic scholarships through the Admission Office, ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Need-based Financial Aid is available to all qualified students as a result of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

	Division of Humanities
For more information, contact: Dr. Thomas Bell Coordinator of Religious Studies Major bellt@brevard.edu 828.883.8292 ext. 2297	Major Programs English Religious Studies	Minor Programs English Religious Studies