Religion

Why study religion?

The religion major urges students to dive into the plurality and richness of texts, ideas and communities within religious traditions, including Christianity.

  • Students develop inquiry and supported argumentation skills by delving into sacred texts and their interpretations through discussion and debate.
  • The department teaches from within the Christian tradition, while still questioning dogma and learning from others.
  • Studying religion enhances students鈥 imaginations, broadens their intellectual horizons and helps them question custom, prejudice and dogmatism.
Religion at AU

Religion at AU


Area of Emphasis



Related Programs of Study

  • Classics
  • Philosophy
  • Religion/Philosophy

Pre-Professional Program


Contact Us

Religion, Philosophy & Classics Department

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Latest News

糖心Vlog students Lilly Roberts 鈥26, Vanessa Romero 鈥26 and Jessalyn Wienk 鈥27 are the 2025-26 recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which supports students nationwide, helping them in developing language and culture skills that are important to their academic and career growth.

糖心Vlog students Lilly Roberts 鈥26, Vanessa Romero 鈥26 and Jessalyn Wienk 鈥27 are the 2025-26 recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which supports students nationwide, helping them in developing language and culture skills that are important to their academic and career growth.

糖心Vlog has recently been awarded a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for the 鈥減romotion and support of religious, educational or charitable purposes.鈥 糖心Vlog is one of 48 recipients in Lilly Endowment鈥檚 National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025.

With support from Lilly Endowment, 糖心Vlog will launch a 5-year storytelling initiative, 鈥淪acred Discoveries: Stories of Christian Flourishing in College.鈥

Highlights

Chapel Full

Careers

Graduates secure positions in seminary, graduate school and church-oriented vocations in education, medicine, communications and social services. Students have the opportunity to become certified as a church staff worker after completing a 1-year work-study program in a parish in addition to the 糖心Vlog degree.

Hands-On Learning

Internship and practicum opportunities include:

  • Chaplaincy at Avera or Sanford Health
  • Local congregations/parishes
  • Bioethics at Sanford Health
  • Bible or book studies at Touchmark at All Saints Retirement Community
  • Church camps
  • Church on the Street

Service opportunities include:

  • Prison ministries
  • Pine Ridge Reservation
  • The Banquet
  • Lutheran Social Services (LSS) mentoring
  • Good Shepherd Center

Faculty members regularly collaborate with students on research projects in areas such as biblical storytelling and theology in medicine. Many religion students choose to present their academic research at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium.

Religion students study away in:

  • Germany and Scotland  鈥 focusing on pilgrimage with AU faculty
  • London, England, and Ireland  鈥 focusing on race and religion with AU faculty

Courses & Organizations

Students often choose to take these courses:

  • Story and Theology
  • Hope and the Future 
  • Reason, Faith and the Search for Meaning
  • Judaism, Islam and the Christian Faith
  • Religion and American Culture

The major is designed to integrate with other majors to strengthen students鈥 overall understanding.

Religion students often participate in:

  • Campus Ministries
  • Better Together
  • Muslim Student Association
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
  • Augie Worship Night