Religious Studies - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre <a href="/live/image/gid/82/width/650/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86495"><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/82/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/82/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(max-width: 500px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/82/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/82/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.webp 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><source media="(min-width: 501px)" type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg 3x" data-origin="responsive"/><img src="/live/image/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg" alt="Yes, the department hosts an annual cake-off competition!" width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/82/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86495_Religious_Studies_main_image.rev.1716250241.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy" data-optimized="true"/></picture></a> <div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption">Yes, the department hosts an annual cake-off competition!</div> Academics Religious Studies Religious Studies We offer students an opportunity to explore one of the most pervasive, complicated, and easily misunderstood aspects of human societies. By nature an interdisciplinary program, religious studies connects students to the many intellectual facets of a liberal arts education and prepares them for the complex—and highly religious—world beyond graduation. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Religious Studies? The study of religion is a lens onto human history and culture, social grouping and grappling, gender roles and relations, and human motivations for good, ill, and everything in between. Completing a religious studies major will provide you with the flexible skills needed in today’s dynamic job market, including critical thinking, sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and ways of seeing the world, and effective communication in an array of mediums. Apply Visit What You’ll Study We immerse our students in the details of beliefs and practices of many different religious traditions, in historical and current theories and methods for analyzing religion, and in the self-reflective project of exploring the frames of reference we use to understand the world around us. Our curriculum ranges across four areas: Jewish and Christian origins, the religious traditions of Western civilization (including the United States), religious traditions of Asia, and the religious traditions of Islam. Within each area, we explore such issues as the nature and social context of religious texts; the development of religious doctrines in situations of both cooperation and contestation; the dynamic relations among religious, political, economic, and cultural life; the role of religion in constructions of gender, race, and class; and patterns of change within religious communities. We also investigate the very idea of religion and the varied ways people—religious practitioners as well as secular scholars—have sought to understand this category of human thought and action. Our faculty work closely with each student to hone their skills in careful and critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking, and we offer ample opportunities for faculty-guided original student research into pressing historical and contemporary questions. Many of our students earn course credit while on an overseas program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, the Greece India , and Morocco programs offer opportunities to study various religious traditions and communities in their living contexts. Outside the classroom, we regularly host guest speakers and presentations of ongoing faculty research. Our majors have presented papers at an annual undergraduate research conference hosted by Oregon State University, and they have also submitted work to the undergraduate research paper competition and the Pacific Northwest American Academy of Religion conference. Building on their coursework, our students often participate in Lewis & Clark’s many symposia, such as the Gender Studies Symposium, the Middle East and North African Studies Symposium , and the Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies . We also hold an annual Religious Studies Cake-Off event for which students construct religion-themed cakes to be judged on their originality, insight, and aesthetic appeal by department faculty. Examples include “Iconography/Aniconism in Greek Orthodox Christianity,” “UFO Religions,” “The 10 Biblical Plagues,” and “The Burning House of Samsara.” Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading... <div class="statistics_slide swiper-slide"> <div class="statistics_box" style="text-align:left;"> <div class="statistics_box_inner"> <h4 class="statistics_headline" style="font-size: 3rem;"> Favorite Class </h4> <h6 class="statistics_summary" style="font-size: 2rem;"> <strong>Apocalyptic Imagination with Professor Robert Kugler</strong> </h6> <!-- quote --> <div class="statistics_summary"> <p> I enjoyed every class with Professor Kugler, but that was the class that lead me into the religious studies department, so it holds a special place in my heart.</p> </div> <div class="profile-box_name" href="/live/profiles/19796-julia-neely"> <a href="/live/profiles/19796-julia-neely">Julia Neely BA ’21</a> </div> <!-- class year --> <div class="profile-box_field"> Major: Religious Studies </div> <div class="profile-box_field"> Minor: Asian Studies </div> </div> </div> </div> Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our religious studies majors are ethnic studies history , and Middle East and North African studies What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark Something I like about my international affairs major is that I get to learn about aspects of global politics that I would never have considered. I also love connecting what I am learning in my minor classes and seeing how religion impacts global politics. Eliana Essman BA ’25 International Affairs | Religious Studies | Carlsbad, California More about Eliana Psychology is so expansive. There are so many interesting things to research or learn in every facet of it. Amber Kase BA ’27 Psychology | Religious Studies, possibly Gender Studies | Los Angeles, California More about Amber What Can You Do With a Degree in Religious Studies? Our alumni use their BA in religious studies to pursue a wide range of careers in academia; at nonprofits; at theological, religious, and spiritual organizations; and beyond. While some students pursue an advanced degree in religious studies, many of our alumni apply their critical thinking, research, writing, and discussion skills to goals in other fields. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors The liberal arts at Lewis & Clark means being intellectually brave. Faculty and students alike really do challenge themselves to look at things from multiple perspectives, whether scientific, quantitative, aesthetic, historical, philosophical, or experiential. Professor of Religious Studies and Department Chair Jessica Starling More about Jessica U.S. News Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list 125 of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids. 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. 19 Average class size for undergraduate students 2,139 As of fall 2024, there are 2,139 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition Find Your People Students can join a variety of active student-run spiritual organizations, including Earth-Based Paganism and Spirituality Club Hillel Muslim Student Association , and Spiritual Que(e)ry . Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list ? Start something new and build your own community of peers! Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You My graduate school thesis explores the early days of international space law — and builds on my undergrad senior thesis! Emma Celebrezze BA ’20 Religious Studies and History (double) | Saint Paul, Minnesota More about Emma Lewis & Clark College provided me with the tools to successfully engage with the world around me. Tyler Langley BA ’22 Religious Studies | Gender Studies | Los Angeles, California More about Tyler L&C offered undergraduate level classes teaching about law in an accessible manner, which I am grateful for as it helped me realize my interest in law. Julia Neely BA ’21 Religious Studies | Asian Studies | Birmingham, Alabama More about Julia Featured News RELS Course in the Spotlight: Fall 2025 A new class in the Religious Studies department takes the spotlight for the Fall 2025 semester. Read the story More News and Events → Jessica Starling Department Chair and Professor of Religious Studies jstarling@lclark.edu 503-768-7741 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni