Religious Studies (BA)
Program Description
The Department of Religious Studies explores religious practice as an important aspect of social life in three ways. First, students study the theories and methods through which religion is analyzed today, including psychological, sociological, anthropological, philosophical, historical, legal, and literary approaches. They also approach the study of “religion” as a concept, which has itself been an intellectual object of inquiry and has played a key role in the development of the social and human sciences. Second, students learn empirically about religion in different times and places, either through historical or ethnographic study, using textual, visual, and audio sources. Third, students use religions, approached as lived practices, as a lens for examining other realms in social life, such as gender and sexuality, race, the nation-state, violence, memory, ethics, emotions, politics, economy, power, art, literature, and media. These realms, in turn, have an impact on religions. The Department of Religious Studies is closely affiliated with the Center for Religion and Media. It should be stressed that the department is oriented toward the academic analysis of religious phenomena and does not promote or endorse either religious belief itself or the views and practices of any particular religious tradition.
Honors Program
Any Religious Studies major who has a major and cumulative GPA of 3.65 or above may apply for the department's honors program. Honors students must complete the required eight 4-credit courses (32 credits) for the Religious Studies major plus 8 additional credits of Independent Study (RELST-UA 997 Independent Study, RELST-UA 998 Independent Study) to produce an honors thesis of around 30 pages.
These Independent Study courses are taken in the fall and spring terms of senior year with one professor within the core religious studies faculty. A minimum grade of B+ must be maintained both semesters for eligibility to receive honors. Students must discuss their topics in advance with the professor, who must agree to this 8-credit commitment. If a professor is going to be on leave one of the terms, special arrangements must be made with them to carry out this commitment from afar, or students must choose someone else. We recommend that students choose a faculty member with whom they have already taken a course and a topic that allows them to build upon and deepen a basis of knowledge already acquired.
In order to apply, students must print and complete this Honors Form and provide a proposed syllabus, designed in conjunction with the faculty adviser, which details a timeline of commitments and deadlines and is signed by both the student and the faculty adviser by April of the junior year. Accepted students receive an access code to register for Independent Study in the senior year.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.