New College Scholars research climate, health care, legal interpretation
'A theme of the Harrison College Scholar Program is that our students are independent but not isolated.'
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Exploring religious traditions in all of their complexity
Religious Studies Program
We explore religious traditions through comparative, contextual and thematic studies. Our courses are built on the established scholarly tradition of the study of religion as an academic, as opposed to a confessional, pursuit.
Religious Studies News
Support Arts & Sciences on Giving Day March 16
On Thursday, March 16, join the Cornell community to make a difference for students on Cornell Giving Day.
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The unexpected importance of the sea sponge in classical history
In the Society for the Humanities Invitational Lecture Feb. 15, art historian Verity Platt will present her research on the humble sea sponge.
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Prof. Chiara Formichi Explores Islam, Asian Cultures Through Research
Throughout her career, Prof. Chiara Formichi has researched the role of Islam in Asia and the influence of Asian cultures on the religion.
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Student’s Playful Paintings Showcase the Hill as You’ve Never Seen It
From the clock tower to Risley and beyond, Grace Elmore ’25 finds inspiration in Cornell’s eclectic architectural styles
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Spring 2023 religious studies classes
Pre-enrollment for Spring 2023 classes begins on November 2 for undergraduate students at Cornell.
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Undergrad summer learning supported by Weiner Family Fellowship
Emma Plowe '23 attended a summer retreat at the Jewel Heart Tibetan Learning Center with support from the Weiner Family Summer Fellowship.
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Desert sounds offer lessons in solitude and community
In a new book, Kim Haines-Eitzen explores the rich range of desert sounds and what they can teach us about place, the past, solitude and community.
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Religious Studies Events
A&S Extraordinary Journeys: Benjamin Velani '22
Velani talks about his time at Cornell and why he chose religious studies as his major.
Engage & Support
Major in religious studies
Interested in a specific religious tradition? Want to learn more about religious rituals throughout history and in the contemporary world? Consider an undergraduate major or minor in religious studies!
Earn honors in religious studies
The honors program is open to religious studies undergraduate majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial part of their senior year to advanced, specialized, independent research and writing of a thesis.
Take a class
Start with "Religion and Ecological Sustainability" (RELST 2273) or "Sensational Religion" (RELST 2276) or take one of the many other courses or seminars we offer.
Apply for a summer fellowship
Given in honor of Gelek Rimpoche the Weiner Family Summer Fellowship supports funding for summer experiential learning and research for an undergraduate student studying Buddhist practice.
Add a graduate minor in religious studies
Cornell graduate students working in fields related to the study of religion are welcome to apply for the Religious Studies Graduate Minor in the Cornell Graduate School.
The minor is designed to offer students in relevant major fields the opportunity to delve more deeply into religious studies, to build an intellectual community around the study of religion, and to prepare themselves professionally for academic positions in a religious studies department.
Support religious studies at Cornell
Your support enables the program to enhance the experience for undergraduate students. Gifts can help fund lectures and conferences, student research, distinguished speakers, and other program priorities. We will greatly appreciate and immediately put into use any gift, no matter the amount.