The study of religions at Alfred University is global and focuses on activities and beliefs that people consider important in their cultural and personal lives. Studying religions helps us to discover more about ourselves and about complexities in the international world. Inherently interdisciplinary, students will find themselves using anthropological, historical, philosophical and literary methods to understand religious systems in various parts of the world. The study includes such matters as the philosophical ideas of St. Augustine, Ogotemmeli, and Nagarjuna; the moral values of Confucius, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King; religious communities such as the Buddhist sangha, medieval monasticism, and African American churches; artistic accomplishments such as Navajo sandpaintings, Hindu temples, and earthworks of contemporary artists; myths such as the Zuni creation account, the Mahabharata, and Hebrew stories about their ancestors found in the Bible; and rituals such as the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Haitian possession rituals, and the Jewish Passover.

The religious studies program contributes significantly to two majors at Alfred University: Comparative Cultures and Philosophy. Philosophy of Religion is one of two tracks in the philosophy major. Faculty in religious studies have joined with an anthropologist, sociologist, and nonwestern art historian to create the increasingly popular Comparative Cultures major. A few religious studies courses also count as theory electives in the Fine Arts Major in the Liberal Arts College.

Because religious beliefs, rituals and values bear upon all aspects of human life, the study of religions complements majors in many areas. The study of religions contributes to many careers in humanities, social sciences, and the arts. It enhances, for example, career opportunities in such diverse areas as international affairs, journalism, business, social work, counseling, communications, the health professions, education, and, of course, the ministry. The minor consists of 20 credits with at least one course required in the western traditions and one in the nonwestern traditions, and the remaining 12 credits in elective religion courses.

With the exception of introductory courses in World Religions, Religion in America, and Birth of the Christian tradition, classes in religious studies are small (usually 12 to 20 students) and are taught in a seminar and discussion format.

The two full-time professors in religious studies are  William Cassidy (Mythology, Psychology of Religion, Early Christianity, Buddhism, Chinese Religion) and Thomas Peterson (Religion and the Arts, Ritual Studies, American Religions, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam). Larry Greil offers occasional courses in sociology of religion.

Contacts

Professors Cassidy and Peterson may be contacted at The Division of Human Studies, Alfred University, Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802, office-607-871-2217 fax-607-871-2831.

Email Dr. Cassidy: fcassidy@alfred.edu
Email Dr. Peterson: fpett@alfred.edu
To the Division of Human Studies

Professor Greil may be contacted at the Division of Social Sciences at Alfred University, office-607-871-2215, fax-607-871-2114.

Email Dr. Greil: fgreil@alfred.edu
To the Division of Social Sciences

Some important websites for the study of religions include,
     Facets of Religion, Virtual Library of Religion
     Virtual Religion Index, Links for Researach on Religion, Rutgers University
     The Bible Gateway
     American Academy of Religion