The Daily OrangeNew major will explore links between religion and society
By Erin DeJesus
Posted: 4/2/03, 2:00 AM EST Section: News
One common thread links a suicide bombing in Israel, an anti-abortion rally and a copy of the Ten Commandments hanging in a courthouse. All three are products of the unique relationship between religion and society, a relationship that students at Syracuse University will soon have the opportunity to examine in depth.
SU announced Tuesday a new interdisciplinary program to offer more perspectives about religion's impact on daily life. The religion and society program, which includes more than 50 courses and involves 29 faculty members, will be available to undergraduate students as both a major and a minor for the fall 2003 semester.
"I think [religion's relationship with society] is very important for both," said Jim Watts, a religion professor and director for the new program. "It's often hard to tell where religion is different from society."
Richard Pilgrim, chairman of the religion department, pointed out several areas where the new program can help provide a new perspective.
"We need look no further than such issues as abortion, terrorism, prayer in the schools, war, etc. to understand the importance that religion, organized or not, has in influencing social values and behaviors," said Pilgrim.
Watts said that the program is open to all SU students, particularly for those with a more professional orientation, such as Newhouse, public policy, pre-law, education and business.
"Students have an opportunity not only to study individual religions on their own merits but the way that these religions influence social values, behaviors, histories and structures, especially in contemporary society," Pilgrim said.
Eight departments are involved in the new program, including some in The College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Architecture and the College of Law. Courses are broken into two areas: traditions, which focuses on fundamental religion courses, and religion and society, which includes related interdisciplinary courses in departments such as history, African-American studies, political science and anthropology.
SU announced Tuesday a new interdisciplinary program to offer more perspectives about religion's impact on daily life. The religion and society program, which includes more than 50 courses and involves 29 faculty members, will be available to undergraduate students as both a major and a minor for the fall 2003 semester.
"I think [religion's relationship with society] is very important for both," said Jim Watts, a religion professor and director for the new program. "It's often hard to tell where religion is different from society."
Richard Pilgrim, chairman of the religion department, pointed out several areas where the new program can help provide a new perspective.
"We need look no further than such issues as abortion, terrorism, prayer in the schools, war, etc. to understand the importance that religion, organized or not, has in influencing social values and behaviors," said Pilgrim.
Watts said that the program is open to all SU students, particularly for those with a more professional orientation, such as Newhouse, public policy, pre-law, education and business.
"Students have an opportunity not only to study individual religions on their own merits but the way that these religions influence social values, behaviors, histories and structures, especially in contemporary society," Pilgrim said.
Eight departments are involved in the new program, including some in The College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Architecture and the College of Law. Courses are broken into two areas: traditions, which focuses on fundamental religion courses, and religion and society, which includes related interdisciplinary courses in departments such as history, African-American studies, political science and anthropology.
