The study of Religion examines ideas through which cultures explore the meaning of life and phenomena which societies consider sacred, such as narratives, rituals, and institutional practices. Its analysis includes historical, anthropological, sociological, and textual approaches. It regards religion as an integral component of human societies, whose study is essential to a balanced education.In the religion program at CMU, you’ll explore worldviews, belief systems, moral codes, rituals and forms of community across cultures. Faculty expertise includes Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Biblical studies and religion in America. Study topics include death and dying, religion and psychology, religion, race and discrimination in America, and women in religion. Courses from related disciplines such as history, philosophy or English can be counted toward a religion major and minor.​​ ​CMU's programs in Religion provide both variety and depth of study, offering courses in Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam; in the religious traditions of China, Japan, India, and the United States; in biblical studies; and in ethics and the relationships between religion and contemp​orary society. Many of our courses are organized around topical issues, including death and dying, women and religion, religion and ecology, and religion and racism.