Overview 

The Global Religions and Cultures major is hosted in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, a department within the College of Arts & Letters.  

Admission and Progression Standards

Students may add the Global Religions and Cultures major at any point during their academic career. There are no pre-requisites or application requirements. Visit the Major Snapshots site to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major. 

Description of Major

The Global Religions and Cultures major empowers students to analyze diverse worldviews, traditions, and value systems that shape human life across the globe. Our major prepares students to be educated and enlightened citizens by cultivating academic skills and human competencies to help them navigate "otherness," a task inherent to this era of globalization. Students of Global Religions and Cultures gain expertise in traditions like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous lifeways as well as skills in analyzing current global issues like terrorism, environmentalism, race, and migration. In a world that is increasingly pluralistic, ideologically driven, and globally connected, cross-cultural understanding and the ability to interpret complex data are more important than ever and can be applied to a wide variety of careers, as well as to our collective pursuit of the common good.  

The Global Religions and Cultures major requires 33 credit hours, including one research capstone. The Department of Philosophy and Religion also offers five minors: Christian Studies, Ethics, Global Religions and Cultures, Logic and Reasoning, and Philosophy. 

More About the Field 

Religion and culture impact virtually every aspect of human life: politics, literature, art, commerce, law, sexuality, health, technology, and more. The Global Religions and Cultures major introduces students not only to diverse religious and cultural traditions, but also to a spectrum of issues and analytical methods from across the humanities. The academic approach that we practice in our secular, public university treats religions as forms of cultural expression to be studied just like other aspects of human culture. We do not engage in the kind of religious education that one would find in a church, mosque, or temple community; students of many different religious identities, and none, thrive in our major. 

Specialization

Students majoring in Global Religions and Cultures have the opportunity to create their own custom concentrations, if they choose, by completing four or more courses in a focused area of study. For example, students might choose to concentrate in Christian Studies, Indian Religions, Religion and Society in Africa, Religion and Politics, Spirituality and Health, Pre-professional Studies, or another concentration they create with support from their faculty adviser. 

Complementary Majors and Minors 

Many students choose to pair the Global Religions and Cultures major with a second major or minor. Our students often double-major or minor in fields like Anthropology; Communication Studies; English; Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; International Affairs; Justice Studies; Political Science; Psychology; Public Policy and Administration; Sociology; and Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication.  

Religion courses can also count toward many other minors at JMU, including African, African American, and Diaspora Studies; American Studies; Asian Studies; Classical Studies; Ethics; Medical Humanities; Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. 

Because the academic study of religion is interdisciplinary, students may apply up to six credit hours of coursework from other departments toward the Global Religions and Cultures major if the courses include a substantial focus on religion, with approval from the faculty adviser. This double-counting makes it easier for students to complete our major or minor. 

Characteristics of Successful Students

Our majors have curious and open minds. They welcome thinking about different perspectives, enjoy challenging themselves, and seek continual growth. They understand that words have power. They are dedicated readers and thoughtful writers. They are willing to cherish as well as challenge traditions. They seek out intercultural relationships and experiences beyond the classroom that give them new insights into our human community. They care about others and strive to use their knowledge in service of the common good. 

Careers

Our students apply the Global Religions and Cultures major to a wide variety of career fields, including business, law, education, health, intelligence analysis, non-profit leadership and more. Employers highly value the practical skills that our students cultivate in analytical writing, articulating nuanced and evidence-based arguments, and engaging with perspectives that are different from their own. The capstone seminar rigorously trains students in research methods, critical thinking, presentation and communication skills, digital information literacy, and research ethics. Our students excel in graduate school. Our major prepares students for careers such as: 

• Community Organizer  
• Conflict Resolution Specialist 
• Communications Director 
• Counselor 
• Counterterrorism Analyst 
• Diplomat  
• Editor 
• Foreign Service Officer  
• Grant Writer 
• Human Resources Officer 
• Immigration Officer 
• Intelligence Analyst 
• International Development Officer 
• Journalist 
• Lawyer  
• Librarian  
• Lobbyist 
• Marketing Research Analyst  
• Mediator 
• Minister/ Pastor/ Rabbi/ Clergy  
• Non-profit Director 
• Peace Corps/ VISTA Worker  
• Physician 
• Political Activist 
• Professor  
• Psychologist  
• Public Health Officer 
• Public Relations Specialist  
• Public Service Officer 
• Religious Education Director  
• Researcher 
• Social Worker 
• Speech Writer  
• Teacher/ Educator  
• University Administrator 
• Youth Services Specialist 
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Who Employs Graduates?

Law Firms, Advocacy Groups, K-12 Education, Colleges and Universities, Community Service Agencies, Consulting Firms, Corporations, Court Systems, Federal & State Government Agencies, Medical Professions, Financial Institutions, Hospitals, Non-Profit Agencies, Publishing Firms, Public sector and Private sector Administration, Religious Organizations and Research Institutes. 

Internships and Experiential Opportunities

Internships and other forms of individual study are available to all students who are both interested and qualified. For example, students can complete internships with community non-profit organizations, religious communities, or public agencies. Students should contact faculty coordinators in their areas of interest to gain further information.  

View our list of internship coordinators for each major.

Career Profiles