Associate Professor Joseph Walser, Chair; Asian religions
Associate Professor Mohamed Mahmoud, Islamic studies
Emeritus Professor Howard E. Hunter, Religion and culture
Lecturer David O'Leary, Catholicism
Adjunct Associate Professor Gary Leupp, Japanese history and Japanese Buddhist
studies
Adjunct Assistant Professor Peggy Hutaff, Christian studies
Adjunct Assistant Professor Elizabeth Lemons, Religion and culture
The Department of Comparative Religion concerns the various expressions of religion encountered in human experience. The student may investigate the field of religion in both its functional and theoretical aspects. Courses are designed to give a broad cultural appreciation of the subject in accordance with the principles of a liberal arts education.
A graduate degree in comparative religion is not offered. Comparative Religion 106,
191, 192, and 194, however, are often taken in conjunction with other programs.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements
Major in Comparative Religion
Ten courses are required for the major in comparative religion. These courses
are to be distributed as follows:
a. Students must take Comparative Religion 99 (Theory and Method in Study of
Religion).
b. Diversity requirement (four courses): Students should have exposure to at
least four different religions traditions. This may be accomplished through
classes in which four different traditions are taught, or through four
courses, each focused on a different religious tradition, or through some
combination thereof. Students are to take four classes within the department to
achieve the diversity requirement. The adviser and the chair of the Department
of Comparative Religion must approve the courses taken to fulfill this
requirement.
c. Depth requirement (three courses): Students must choose a subfield in
religious studies. This may be one religious tradition, the traditions of a
geographical region, or a religious textual tradition. Students must demonstrate
that they have taken at least three classes in that specialty. One of the three
courses must be in the doctrinal (theological and philosophical) aspects of
religion. In their chosen areas of specialization, students must take two
above-100 level courses. These may include an independent study, or a senior
thesis. The departmental adviser and the chair must approve the student's area
of specialization. No course may count for both the diversity and depth
requirements.
d. In addition to the above eight courses, two additional courses listed or
cross-listed in comparative religion, regardless of subject area, are required.
Undergraduate Minor Program
Minor in Comparative Religion
Five courses,
distributed as follows, are required.
a. Students must take Comparative Religion 99 (Theory and Method in Study of
Religion).
b. Students should have exposure to at least three different religions
traditions. This may be accomplished through classes in which three different
traditions are taught, or through three courses, each focused on a
different religious tradition, or through some combination thereof. The
adviser and the chair of the Department of Comparative Religion must approve the
courses taken to fulfill this requirement.
c. One other course numbered above 100. This course may not be counted as one of
the three courses of the above requirement.
For more detailed information, please visit the website http://ase.tufts.edu/religion/.
To view Course Descriptions, please go to:
http://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp.