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Religion, Comparison, and Culture

The primary focus of the RCC program is comparison for the purpose of theorizing about religion and religions. Students in this program are expected early on to identify two distinct historical or cultural areas as a basis for comparison, and to infuse their work on those areas with extensive work on theorizing in religious studies. Drawing on the study of these distinct areas, students in RCC may also focus their work more specifically on particular issues, such as religion and social organization; religion, women and gender; religion and identity formation; religion and the law; and others.

This program requires three areas of competence:

  1. a carefully defined major area that is either historically or anthropologically/sociologically delimited;
  2. a minor cultural area that allows for a comparative perspective and knowledge of a different tradition;
  3. theory, theory formation, cross-cultural translation and comparison to guide and shape the study of the major and minor cultural areas.

In order to obtain these competencies, students are required to take at least two advanced theory courses from other units (e. g., Anthropology, Sociology); at least 8 seminars and courses in the major area and at least 4 seminars and courses in the minor area. In a required seminar in the third year, “Description, Re-description and Comparison,” students demonstrate that they can theorize problems, issues and categories of analysis in their major and minor areas and make comparisons between the areas.

All students will have or obtain a reading knowledge of the languages appropriate to their major areas, including the relevant modern languages of scholarship. Depending upon the minor area, students may also be required to have at least an introductory level knowledge of one or more appropriate languages in order to allow for access to some basic critical tools.

RCC students take two sets of examinations:

  1. a four hour written examination of theoretical competence and knowledge of theory based upon a bibliography produced by the department and
  2. A written preliminary examination of two three hour parts that will test knowledge of the major cultural area and critical issues related to the study of that area.
In addition, RCC students write a major paper in connection with RS 200 that formulates a series of critical questions and areas for theorization in the student's major area, and that discusses relevant bibliography in the social sciences and religious studies.

Core faculty

All department faculty may participate in this program; Inquiries may be directed to Stanley Stowers.