Religious Studies

The Department of Religious Studies at Holy Cross addresses religion as a fundamental dimension of human history and personal experience. Recognizing that many students are in a process of coming to terms with their own religious traditions and spiritualities, the Department offers courses that systematically explore a wide range of religious traditions, theological perspectives, and ethical questions that are central to the formation of a person's religious identity.

Since the majority of our students come from a Roman Catholic background, the Department offers courses that provide them with an opportunity to know and understand their Catholic tradition and situate that tradition in the larger context of other religious traditions and in the broader cultural context in which we live. Such courses allow students from all tradtions to come to terms with the fact of pluralism, both religious and cultural. By addressing these topics and providing these insights. the Department of Religious Studies seeks to promote religious understanding and informed citizenship in a global community. Consequently, the Department offers courses on the full range of world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, East Asian religions, Native American religion, and modern religious movements. Tutorial reading programs and individual research projects are available to qualified students.