Religious Studies
Arts and Humanities
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Major Brochure | Courses | Sample Plan of Study

Religious Studies seeks to understand historic and contemporary religious ideas, values, and practices within Christianity and other religious traditions encountered locally and globally. Religious Studies also seeks to understand the role of religion in the shaping of the moral, political, and cultural practices of society.

Within the Defiance College Religious Studies program, students explore vocation through opportunities that enrich their leadership skills, further their understanding of peace and justice issues; and develop their personal and spiritual lives. Students majoring in religious studies are well prepared for graduate work at theological seminary in preparation for Christian ministry as well as graduate school in preparation for college teaching or research.

Students are able to creatively match a major in religious studies with a second major – art, psychology, social work, criminal justice - in order to reach their individual personal and career goals.

The Religious Studies major requires 36 credit hours and includes required courses in Bible, theology, church history, world religions, the church and service learning, Black Church in America, ethics and morals, Religion Seminar, and a Senior Capstone. Optional coursework is available in Spirituality and Wholeness, Special Topics, and any of the courses listed in the Christian Education major.

Religious Studies is a major for those who:

• Play in the abstract realm
  
  
• Ask questions about the meaning of things
  
  
• Wonder why others have differing views
  
  
• Question their place in the world
  
  
• Spend their free time studying things like archaeology and anthropology
  
  
• Spend hours talking about how to solve the problems of the world
  
  
• Sometimes wonder about a career in church ministry or mission

Minor in Religious Studies
The Religious Studies minor works well in tandem with a variety of majors. Recent graduates and current students have added religious studies minors to majors in international studies, English, wellness and corporate fitness, social work and
psychology.

Major Brochure | Courses | Sample Plan of Study

Internships

Students in the Religious Studies program engage in open inquiry and research that is rooted in the study of religion in an ecumenical Christian environment that values people from differing religious and cultural traditions.

Student internships take place in a wide-range of religious institutions and agencies where students work with leaders to develop and narture their vocational calling.

Unique Opportunities

• Participation at Professional Conferences such as the Urban Ministries Congress and the National Multidimensional Learning Conference.
  
  
• Trips to special exhibits such as the Maltz Museum of Jewish History’s “Cradle of Christianity: Treasures From the Holy Land.”
  
  
• Participation in special on-campus events such as Community Interfaith Service for Peace and dialogue with international interfaith leaders.
  
  
• Participation in off-campus church and community organizations and initiatives.
  
  

Graduate School

Students majoring in religious studies are well prepared for graduate work at theological seminary in preparation for Christian ministry as well as graduate school in preparation for college teaching or research. Students who are thinking of attending seminary should consult with the faculty in religious studies for planning to achieve their personal goals.

Seminaries and graduate schools attended by our graduates include Eden, Lancaster, Andover-Newton, United of the Twin Cities, Chicago Theological Seminary, The University of Chicago, Yale Divinity School, The University of Dayton, United of Dayton, The University of Denver, Loyola University, and Methodist School of Theology in Ohio.

Placements in Graduate School over the past 5 years:
-100% acceptance rate
-Theological School/Seminary
-Social Work (dual major Religious Studies and Social Work)

Related Programs

Defiance College offers two majors in religion: Christian Education and Religious Studies.

Additionally, the Design for Leadership, which has a separate catalog, is a distance learning program in Christian Education. Complete information is available separately about the Christian Education major and the Design for Leadership distance learning program in Christian Education.

The Faculty

Professors in the Religious Studies major encourage student growth within a biblically and historically grounded ecumenical Christian tradition. They encourage open inquiry, dialogue, and sharing in an ecumenical Christian environment that values people from different religious and cultural traditions.


Marian R. Plant, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Christian Education
Schauffler Chair of Christian Education
Coordinator of the Design for Leadership Distance Learning Program in Christian Ed
419-783-2338 | mplant@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile

Dean J. Johnson, M.A., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Peace Studies Advisor, International and Global Studies
419-783-2455 | djohnson@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile

Janice L. Bechtel, M.Div., Campus Chaplain
419-783-2444 | jbechtel@defiance.edu

Julie Fritz-Bergman, M.A., Lecturer in Religion and Christian Education
419-783-2418 | jfritzb@defiance.edu

Norman Moxley M.Div., D.Min., Lecturer in Religion and Christian Education
nmoxley@defiance.edu

Kenneth E. Christiansen, D.Mn., Emeritus Professor of Religion and Sociology
chrstnsn@defiance.edu