Religion & Pre-Theology

The Religion and Pre-Theology majors will no longer accept new students after December 18, 2020.

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.

Research Theory-to-Practice Grants

Comparing Sectarianism and Racism

Eli Reed '19 used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to compare sectarianism in Northern Ireland to American race relations.

Watch the Video

The Language of Heresy

Kiersten Payne '17 worked with Prof. Susan Gunasti to examine the language contemporaries used to discuss the Donatists, beginning in the fourth century, and the Anabaptists, beginning in the sixteenth century.

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.

Travel-Learning Courses Study Abroad

Exploring Apostle Paul in Greece

Religion minor Alexis Thomas '20 used an OWU Connection Grant to travel to Greece to study the Apostle Paul’s journeys and learn more about the influence he held and continues to hold in the region.

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.

Martin Luther in Germany

Kiersten Payne ’17 traveled to Wittenberg, Germany, to research the practical faith of Christians by attending church services and interviewing Christians in the city. She also studied how the secularization of German society impacts the practices of Christians and Christian churches in Wittenberg.

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.

Chaplain's Office Career Connection Office

Real Service

During spring break, student interfaith service teams make a difference across the U.S. and internationally.

Chaplain's Office

Students have opportunities to intern or volunteer in the Office of the University Chaplain.

Highlights

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.

Merrick Lecture

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

A.J. Barnhardt '16

A.J. Barnhardt is currently a Masters Student at the University of Chicago with a university scholarship. He says, "The Ohio Wesleyan University Religious Studies program gave me the writing and reading skills that are crucial to success in graduate school. All the professors in the program helped me tremendously to become the scholar I am today, and I can't thank them enough for fanning the flames of my passion for the study of religion."

Theology Pathway

Andrew Sloan '13 earned a master's degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and now works as a development coordinator at Newseum in Washington, DC., which is dedicated to free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment.

Social Justice and Religion

Emily Burns '18 currently works as a Community Organizer at Sunnyside United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The position is a two-year social justice fellowship through the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

Leaders in Religious Education

Tamar Frankiel ’67 has a masters in Religious Studies from Miami University and a PhD in the History of Religions from the University of Chicago. She is currently the president of the Academy for Jewish Religion California.

Pastoral Pathways

Elizabeth Quick '00 has a Master of Divinity from Drew University and a Doctor of Ministry (focused in Leadership for Transformational Change) from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She is currently Head Pastor at Gouverneur First and North Gouverneur United Methodist Churches in the Syracuse area.

Headlines

Events

A Look at Religion

See All 10 Items

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.

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.

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.

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.

Attending Local Services

Eli Reed '19 attends a lecture about The Troubles in Northern Ireland while visiting Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast.

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. 

Student Leaders

Mollie Marshall '19 has served in several leadership roles for Interfaith Service Teams, such as Reflections Leader and Logistics Leader.

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.  

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.

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.

Department Contact Info

Location

Phillips Hall 117
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
P 740-368-3825
F 740-368-2873
E religion@owu.edu

Department Contact

Chair: Dr. Susan Gunasti
Associate 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