The study of religion has been important at Ohio Wesleyan since the university was founded in 1842, when the the training of a skilled and literate ministry was a key mission. Today, the study of religion is no longer confined to those who want to enter the professional ministry. Students planning careers in business, social services, law, medicine, education, and other fields benefit from careful study of religious phenomena and history. Additionally, religion students may find that their personal faith and devotional lives are strengthened by the study of religion and by looking objectively at the faith and devotion of other religious persons.
Religion is one of the primary motivating factors in human values and actions. Students in the department study religion as an academic subject from a variety of perspectives, including scriptural studies, religion and society, and the history of world religion.
Preparation for advanced theological study or specialized ministries requires more than just knowledge of religion. It also requires familiarity with psychology, sociology/anthropology, and the humanities. This interdisciplinary major offers a broad-based approach to the study of theology and prepares majors for a variety of postgraduate opportunities.
Students take five courses of their choice to earn the Religion minor. The minor is popular among students wanting to understand their own tradition better and/or incorporate their understanding of religion into the study of science, business, psychology, history, etc.
Professor Michael's special interests are in religious phenomena of Asian cultures.
Professor Gunasti complements the humanities section of International Studies by teaching Introduction to Islam, Women and Gender in Islam, and Modern Islam and Its Political Ideas
Professor Twesigye’s teaching specialty is church history, theology, and Christian ethics.
Faculty take their classes to institutions relevant to what they are teaching to students. Faculty have taken students to the Holocaust Memorial in Detroit, Buddhist meditation centers, and the Hindu Hare Krishna temple in West Virginia.
The Merrick Lecture series brings a visiting renowned scholar in religion or philosophy visits and has a discussion with students each year.
Beeghly Library has many uncommon and valuable 19th-and early 20th-century works on religion. In addition, students have access to the library of the nearby Methodist Theological School in Ohio.