All Religious Studies majors design and complete a senior independent study project under the mentorship of a member of the Religious Studies faculty. Students have three options, depending upon their schedules, interests, and academic records. Some students pursue research in Religious Studies within the Senior Scholars Program. Others enroll in the Religious Studies Honors Program (RE 483-84), a two-semester project resulting in a thesis and a public presentation. Most majors pursue the third option, a one-semester independent study (RE 491 or 492) under the mentorship of a member of the Religious Studies faculty. You are encouraged to discuss these options with the chair or another member of the department during the first semester of your junior year or before, especially if you plan to study abroad.

Students majoring in religious studies who have a grade point average of 3.65 or higher in the major may apply during the junior year for admission to the honors program. Proposal and bibliography must be submitted to the department chair by April 15. On successful completion of the work for the honors program, including a thesis, their graduation from the College will be noted as being “With Honors in Religious Studies.”

Honors Program Application