Learning Outcomes

The Religion program will develop biblically literate, ethically motivated thinkers and doers, who are culturally engaged and historically informed global citizens, prepared for lifelong learning.

1. Biblically literate
   Religion majors will develop an understanding of biblical literature, including the historical contexts, approaches to biblical criticism, and varieties of literature in the Bible. Any religion major will be able to:
   1. Closely read biblical texts and credibly summarize and paraphrase their contents.
   2. Use the terms and concepts of biblical studies.
   3. Develop informed research questions, resulting in supportable theses.
   4. Interpret biblical texts in contexts through exegesis, using scholarly sources. 
   5. Analyze sources to detect bias and compare different positions.
   6. Articulate theological and ethical messages of biblical texts and their relevance to contemporary faith and life.
2. Ethically motivated thinkers and doers
   Through the exploration of theologies, philosophies of religion, -- including systems of religious ethics—religion majors will be able to:
   1. Closely read texts and credibly summarize and paraphrase their contents.
   2. Identify, compare, contrast, and analyze philosophies of religion and religious ethics.
   3. Develop informed research and discussion questions, resulting in supportable theses.
   4. Examine and produce original responses to these and other questions.
   5. Articulate ethical messages of theological texts and their relevance to contemporary faith and life.
   6. Solve problems in classroom, campus, and community.
3. Culturally engaged and historically informed global citizens
   Through the exploration of religions in their global contexts, including the history of religions, religion majors will be able to:
   1. Compare religious traditions and sacred texts.
   2. Evaluate the relationship between places of worship and religiously significant sites and the traditions they represent.
   3. Appraise the relationship between religion and history, including significant religious figures.
   4. Analyze trends in religion and their impact.
   5. Evaluate the interrelationship of religion, society, and culture.
4. Lifelong Learners
   Religion majors will be prepared to engage in lifelong learning because they:
   1. Use biblical research tools.
   2. Articulate the value of their own religious communities and tradition.
   3. Dialogue and partner with other religious communities.
   4. Analyze the influence of religion on politics, law, medicine, culture, and social issues.   
   5. Explain the importance of religious freedom and of democratic institutions which protect that freedom.
   6. Apply biblical values to ethical decisions.