This fall, Valparaiso University will launch its new major in religious studies, a program that encourages students to explore and engage with religion as a lived, cross-cultural and comparative discipline, examining both their own beliefs and the interconnected belief systems of peoples from around the world. The program is open to students of all backgrounds and beliefs.
“At Valpo, students will approach the study of religions — including Christianity — from a multidisciplinary perspective, and it is uniquely shaped by the University’s Lutheran heritage, which encourages open dialogue across faith traditions while fostering spiritual growth,” said George Pati, professor of South Asian religions and cultures and chair of religious studies.
An education in religious studies builds critical thinking and intercultural understanding, skills that can open opportunities in a wide range of professional fields. These include an educational path towards graduate and ministry studies, and professional paths as religious educators and ministry leaders, but can also include jobs in grant writing, community outreach, professional humanitarianism and counseling services.
“Valpo’s religious studies program supports the University’s mission by fostering intellectual and spiritual growth rooted in the Lutheran tradition of inquiry, dialogue, and service,” Professor Pati said. “It encourages students to understand different faiths and ethical perspectives, preparing them to lead and serve in a global, pluralistic society.”
One of the primary goals of Valpo’s religious studies program is to spark curiosity about global religious practices and equip students with the knowledge and experience to connect with their neighbors, both nearby and around the world. Students will have opportunities to take part in interfaith dialogue on campus, visit various places of worship in the area, and engage with a diverse population in society to deepen their understanding of both their own culture, and those found around the world. Building on the University’s long-standing intersection between faith and learning, this program explores the rich faith, history, and lived experiences of the world’s major religions.
The religious studies program will work with other faith-based organizations on campus, including the University’s Division of Calling and Spiritual Life and its Christian Formation and Leadership Program, to seek out all opportunities available to enrich and broaden the student experience through hands-on interaction and service. Learning, leading and serving are three of the pillars in Valparaiso University’s five-year plan Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.
With the Lutheran tradition of open dialogue at its core, religious studies at Valparaiso University gives students a broader and richer perspective on global faith, tradition and culture than ever before. More information on the department and its faculty can be found on the website here. For more information on general admission to Valparaiso University, click here.
