Comparative Religion specializes in understanding religion as a dimension of culture. Youll study how people's religious beliefs, values, or practices intersect with other areas of human life, including law and politics, ethnic and national identities, gender, sexuality, and family, health, consumption, and finances, and life transitions and death. Our department's alumni have gone on to work in a range of fields, including education, law, government (civilian and military), the non-profit sector, media and the arts, and religious ministry. Several of our recent graduates focused on Islam in their coursework, to prepare themselves for careers in diplomacy, foreign policy, or national security. One graduate, a double major in religion and zoology, aspires to work with Buddhists and Hindus to preserve rainforests in Asia. Another alum, who majored in religion and anthropology, works in environmental compliance, ensuring that development projects protect cultural heritage. The religion major can complement many career paths.<br><br>In virtually all cultures, religion has developed as a powerful dimension of social, political, and economic life. Religion has shaped and is shaped by literature, the arts, social structure, and human thought. A brief glance at today's headlines will show how religion permeates every corner of human affairs. In this major, you will encounter a variety of religious practice and belief, you will learn the history and development of various religious communities, and engage people who do vastly different things in the name of religion. You will apply what you learn to better understand and engage the interrelated social, political, economic, and aesthetic dimensions of culture as they impact individuals and societies in today's world that construct their identities in significant ways through religion.