Guest Lectures
The Merrick Lecture series brings a visiting renowned scholar in religion or philosophy to OWU every year. In addition to a lecture, the scholar leads a discussion with a small group of students.
Religion & Pre-Theology
The Religion and Pre-Theology majors are no longer accepting new students.
About the Majors
At Ohio Wesleyan, you have two degree pathways in the study of religion, depending on your career goals. Both options provide a comprehensive liberal arts program enhanced with opportunities to work closely with faculty on research and service projects around the world.
- Religion: The religion major provides a comprehensive study of religion, with courses in biblical studies, religion and society, and history of world religion. Students majoring in religion include those planning careers in business, social services, law, medicine, education and other fields. They discover that knowledge of and appreciation for the depth of religious motivations, as well as the pervasiveness and permanence of religious behaviors, prove helpful in their professional lives. Also, many students find that their personal faith and devotional life are strengthened by first looking objectively at the faith and devotion of other religious persons.
- Pre-Theology: The interdisciplinary pre-theology major prepares students for graduate theological studies or to specialized ministries. The major requires you to take courses in a variety of academic fields, including: psychology, sociology/anthropology, and the humanities. You will work with the pre-theology advisor to design your personalized program. You have the opportunity to take up to two classes at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, giving you an opportunity to experience seminary school before you graduate OWU.
Related Minors
Think Big
You have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with faculty to pursue your research interests and create new knowledge. Religion majors complete a major research project, usually during their senior year.
You may present your research at the annual Student Symposium.
Religious Narratives
Religion and English major Thomas Owings ’14 used a Theory-to-Practice grant to travel to West Virginia, Alabama, and Illinois to study the mechanisms of religious narrative in Protestant denominations and their impact on social identity.
Go Global
The OWU Connection provides a variety of opportunities for all students to go global. Travel-Learning Courses combine classroom study with travel to areas of the world where you may study how the issues you discuss in class really come to life. Or you can use a Theory-to-Practice Grant to explore a topic anywhere in the world.
Religion students have studied and pursued research projects in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Conflict Resolution in Northern Ireland
Daniel Delatte '19, Leslie Melton, Eli Reed '19, HannahJo Grimes '20, Adedayo Akinmadeyemi '19, Lisa Hp, Cara Harris '18 and Anna L. Davies '19 with Father Martin Magill, a priest and peaceworker in Northern Ireland. Their trip was funded by a Theory-to-Practice Grant.
Get Real
Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships both on and off campus. Religion and Pre-theology majors have held internships in OWU's Chaplain's office, Delaware and Columbus-area churches, nonprofit organizations, and other ministries.
Pre-theology majors complete a supervised field experience as a capstone requirement.
Highlights
Travel Opportunities
Faculty and their classes travel to institutions relevant to the subject matter of their classes. Faculty have taken students to the Holocaust Memorial in Detroit, Buddhist meditation centers, and the Hindu Hare Krishna temple in West Virginia.
Rare Liturgical Works
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.
Student Award
The Ralph W. Sockman Award was established in 1985 to honor students who have shown excellence in the study of religion. The award is determined both by academic record and by an independent paper or project in the study of religion.
Graduate Outcomes
Kiersten Payne '17
Kiersten is a graduate student at Yale Divinity School. She says, "My long-term goal is to earn my Ph.D. in religion and teach at a university. I feel confident knowing that Ohio Wesleyan has prepared me well for further academic study.”
A Look at Religion
See All 10 ItemsAttending Local Services— Eli Reed '19 attends a lecture about The Troubles in Northern Ireland while visiting Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
Attending Local Services
Eli Reed '19 attends a lecture about The Troubles in Northern Ireland while visiting Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
Traveling to Understand— Reverend Steve Stockman gives a lecture in Belfast about peace and reconciliation studies. Six OWU students attended by using a Theory-to-Practice Grant.
Traveling to Understand
Reverend Steve Stockman gives a lecture in Belfast about peace and reconciliation studies. Six OWU students attended by using a Theory-to-Practice Grant.
Interfaith Performances— Every year, the Chaplain's Office and Hillel, the Jewish student organization, brings in Ben Gelber and his Interfaith Ensemble to perform an evening of Judaica music for the OWU community.
Interfaith Performances
Every year, the Chaplain's Office and Hillel, the Jewish student organization, brings in Ben Gelber and his Interfaith Ensemble to perform an evening of Judaica music for the OWU community.
Students can help plan and execute the May Baccalaureate ceremony for seniors, in which reflections are presented about the spiritual journey of learning throughout college and life. Above, Jude Fahoum ’17 participates in the ceremony.
Students can help plan and execute the May Baccalaureate ceremony for seniors, in which reflections are presented about the spiritual journey of learning throughout college and life. Above, Jude Fahoum ’17 participates in the ceremony.
Pilgrimage in Spain— Makenna Huff '15 used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to follow an approximately 500 miles across northern Spain along the Camino de Santiago. The path is a Christian pilgrimage route to the tomb of St. James, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Pilgrimage in Spain
Makenna Huff '15 used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to follow an approximately 500 miles across northern Spain along the Camino de Santiago. The path is a Christian pilgrimage route to the tomb of St. James, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Live It and Learn It— The Interfaith House (IF) and House of Spiritual Athletes (HSA) are living-learning Small Living Units for students committed to religious studies and issues of morality in everyday life.
Live It and Learn It
The Interfaith House (IF) and House of Spiritual Athletes (HSA) are living-learning Small Living Units for students committed to religious studies and issues of morality in everyday life.
Find Peace in Peale— Peale Chapel is a favorite place among students to find peace and reflect on personal faith journeys. The interfaith chapel is located on the third floor of the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.
Find Peace in Peale
Peale Chapel is a favorite place among students to find peace and reflect on personal faith journeys. The interfaith chapel is located on the third floor of the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.
Sectarianism in Belfast— HannahJo Grimes '20 attends a lecture at Queens University Belfast comparing sectarianism in Northern Ireland to race relations in America. Grimes used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to fund her research.
Sectarianism in Belfast
HannahJo Grimes '20 attends a lecture at Queens University Belfast comparing sectarianism in Northern Ireland to race relations in America. Grimes used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to fund her research.
Research in Northern Ireland— Religion students often utilize the Theory-to-Practice Grant program to study conflict resolution, peace, and religious life in Northern Ireland.
Research in Northern Ireland
Religion students often utilize the Theory-to-Practice Grant program to study conflict resolution, peace, and religious life in Northern Ireland.
Student Leaders— Mollie Marshall '19 has served in several leadership roles for Interfaith Service Teams, such as Reflections Leader and Logistics Leader.
Student Leaders
Mollie Marshall '19 has served in several leadership roles for Interfaith Service Teams, such as Reflections Leader and Logistics Leader.
Department Contact Info
Location
Phillips Hall 117
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
Department Contact
Chair: Dr. Susan Gunasti
Professor of Religion
Phillips Hall 219
740-368-3829
sgunasti@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Kandi Akers
Phillips Hall 52
740-368-3802
kjakers@owu.edu
Professor of Religion
Phillips Hall 219
740-368-3829
sgunasti@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Kandi Akers
Phillips Hall 52
740-368-3802
kjakers@owu.edu