Religious Studies
Arts and Humanities

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

Description
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.

Students who are considering ministry or graduate study in religion find that the major in Religious Studies provides practical preparation through an excellent overview of important methods and areas of study in the field. Students who are thinking of attending seminary should consult with the faculty in religious studies for planning to achieve their personal goals.

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.

Courses required for the Religious Studies major

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. This major furnishes excellent preparation for further study. 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 Theologyin Ohio.

Professors
Ken Christiansen and Dr. Marian R. Plant
Adjunct professors J. Fritz-Bergman, L.M. Spath, and D. Plant; Campus Minister J. Bechtel.