Religion: Shaping society since the beginning of time
The study of religion at UVM is a crucial part of the wider study of human cultures, global affairs, and personal identities; it is not tied to previous religious training or present religious affiliation. Religious study is the investigation of the myths, rituals, ethical systems, and social formations that human beings have created in response to what they perceive to be powers beyond the human. War and peace, states and revolutions, laws and communities have been shaped by religious aspirations and commitments. Discover the study of religion at UVM.
Religion courses that reflect faculty expertise:
- Buddhism
- Judaism
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Christianity
- African Religions
- religion in America
- religions of China
- religions of Japan
- theories of religion & methodology
Our faculty's methodological approaches include comparative study, feminist theory, cognitive science, philosophical inquiry, social theory, and historical analysis.
Outstanding student of religion:
Congratulations to Lauren McGurrin, 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Student in Religion Award. Lauren graduated from UVM cum laude with a major in Religion and a minor in Political Science. Lauren’s senior seminar project focused on environmentalist discourse in the United States, illustrating the ways in which the movement’s religious underpinnings serve to perpetuate political conflict. In addition to her success in the Religion Department, Lauren has made her mark on the University of Vermont community through her time as a writing tutor in the library Writing Center, her work with English Language Learning students, and her participation in the Honors College.
After graduation, Lauren intends to revise her senior seminar paper for potential publication; she also plans to travel to Japan and attend culinary school in New York City.
