The Department of Religious Studies promotes research opportunities among its undergraduate students, whether majors and minors or students enrolled in its various classes. From acquiring the skills needed to engage in original research and analysis, to carry out collaborative research in faculty projects, and to write persuasively — from blog posts to specialized research essays — undergraduate students in REL are routinely challenged to create new knowledge about the world around them.

Many REL classes culminate in both oral seminar presentations and research papers, in which students have an opportunity to delve more deeply into topics that interest them and which intersect with the class’s theme.

Faculty Projects

Students also have opportunities to contribute to faculty research projects. Many of these projects apply computational methods using equipment in the RELdl, while some projects involve evaluating and editing published sources. If you are interested in such an opportunity, talk to a faculty member. You can find information about some of these digital projects at the RELdl webpage and check with the RELdl Director, Prof. Mike Altman, for more information on computational research opportunities.

Presentation Opportunities

Students are also encouraged to submit their work for public presentation, whether as part of the department’s own undergraduate research symposium (established in 2013-14), various wider venues on campus, or as part of our regional scholarly association, where, over the years, REL undergrads have often participated.

Independent Study

Working outside class, students also work one-on-one with REL faculty in independent study courses, where the class is customized to the student’s own interests.

More Information

If you’re in a religious studies class and interested in pursuing an independent project, talk to a professor: Faculty Directory.