Explore your interests in religious studies at Lawrence.

Academic advising at Lawrence seeks to empower each student to craft and pursue a transformative liberal arts experience that prepares them for impactful and personally fulfilling lives. Faculty advisors support students in planning and achieving their educational goals, facilitate connections to campus resources and communities, and guide students to make informed decisions as they pursue their academic interests and aspirations. 

Course Planning for New and Exploring Students

RLST 100: Understanding Religion is a course intended primarily for first and second year students; it familiarizes students with the academic study of religion (its methods and approach) as well as with specific iterations of religion. Other 100-level courses focus on specific traditions and have no prerequisites (RLST 155: Hinduism; RLST 156: Buddhism; RLST 160: Christianity; RL:ST 165: Islam). Students wishing to major in Religious Studies should first complete RLST 100: Understanding Religion and one additional 100-level course on a religious tradition (ensuring some discussion of the historical dimensions of at least one tradition).

Many of the 200-level courses (which probe a religious tradition in more depth and/or focus on themes across multiple traditions) are also open to first-year students; check the course schedule for prerequisites.

Declare a Major/Minor

All students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year. Ideally, sophomore students will declare a major (and switch to an advisor in the major) before advance registration advising begins in spring term.

DECLARE A MAJOR/MINOR

Major Advising

All students will transition to a major advisor upon declaration. The major advisor will help students plan their coursework to satisfy requirements for the major, select courses in other areas to complement the major or satisfy personal interests, and prepare for their Senior Experience. Prospective religious studies majors can consult with any of the following religious studies faculty about serving as a major advisor:

Add a Major Advisor

Need help identifying an advisor in the major? Students can contact advising@lawrence.edu for assistance with advisor matching.

Add a Major Advisor

Minor Advising

Students do not need an official advisor for the religious studies minor. Instead, religious studies minors are encouraged to consult with the department chair or other religious studies faculty for advice on course selection and satisfying minor requirements.

Additional Student Resources

If you still have questions about advising support related to the religious studies program, we invite you to contact the department chair. 

Contact the Religious Studies Department Chair
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