Studies in religion and philosophy are a means for understanding societies throughout the world, as well as exploring ourselves. Through a combination of critical thinking, research, and an eagerness to ask “the big questions,” students within the Converse College’s Religion and Philosophy Department are challenged at personal and intellectual levels in their exploration of the world's major religious and philosophical traditions. Students are asked to reflect upon broad questions of human society and culture, as well as personal questions of ethics and responsibility. 

Religion courses are interdisciplinary, drawing on politics, philosophy, history, anthropology, literature, scriptural studies and sociology. A few diverse courses include:

• World Religions
• Jesus in Ancient and Modern Media
• Gender, Sexuality, and the Bible
• Indian Families in Fiction and Film
• Buddhism
• Hinduism
• Religion in America

Philosophy courses can serve as a great complement to any other program of study. For example, music and visual or performing arts (aesthetics); computer science (logic); politics (political philosophy); biology (biomedical ethics); and women’s studies (philosophy of women). Some courses include:

• Chinese Philosophy
• Ancient Greek Philosophy
• Philosophy of the Undead (travel-study in Eastern Europe)
• Philosophy of Women
• Ethical Theory
• Existentialism in Popular Culture
• War Crimes

B.A. in Religion

Minors in Religion and Philosophy are also offered.