The Department of Religion and Philosophy has a strong tradition of research through which students may individualize their work and explore their individual interests. 

Working independently or side by side with faculty mentors, students have researched topics such as:

• Moral relativism and the ethical treatment of women in certain global practices
• Experiences of women during the process of becoming Episcopal priests and their experiences as priests
• Appalachian Literature and the Role of Religion in Family Life
• Apocalyptic Sects and Charismatic Leaders
• Coffee and ritual in medieval Islam
• Karma, astrology, and Hinduism

Students have presented their findings at conferences such as the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) annual conference. Students have also received competitive SCICU grants to conduct research on the following topics:

• The Holocaust
• Hindu Goddess Kali in literature and art
• Russian Orthodox icons
• Snake handling
• The relationship between secularization and the cinema
• The rate of death in childbirth for women in the time of Jesus
• The architecture of cities from the New Testament
• The life of saint Francesca Romana through an intensive study of artwork depicting her life