Religious & Theological Studies

Religious and theological studies at Merrimack College investigate the meaning and purpose of life through a study of Christianity and other religious traditions.

As a department at a Catholic and Augustinian institution of higher education, we ensure that students encounter the richness of the Catholic spiritual, intellectual and ecclesial tradition in the course of their study, and that they are introduced to the life, thought and influence of Saint Augustine.

Religious and theological studies enable students to engage in the appreciative and intellectually rigorous (critical) study of the single most powerful feature of human life: Religion.  The Department offers a comprehensive program that not only investigates many aspects of Christianity, but also provides opportunities for the study of other religions. 

Religious and theological studies at Merrimack College enable students to: 

• Understand the world around them by analyzing the religious influences in history, politics and economics.
•  Explore the most pressing ethical issues of the day, as well as the psychological and sociological forces that shape the human search for meaning.
• Develop analytical and writing skills, as well as a cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of the diversity of American culture.      
• Attain a better understanding of themselves, their values and what ultimately makes them happy and fulfilled.

Because religion addresses these most basic questions, it also involves controversial topics. By becoming a religious and theological studies major or minor one engages some of the most exhilarating ideas, persons, and movements in all of human history.  The ideas, readings and conversations encourage one to reflect on the meaning and direction of one’s own life and relationship to the eternal.  

Opportunities include a major in religious studies, a major in theological studies, a general minor in religious and theological studies, and specialized minors in Religion and Science and in Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations.

 All students at Merrimack College are required to pass eight (8) credits of religious and theological studies courses as follows:

• RTS 1100 Christianity in Context
• All students are also required to pass one additional RTS course at the 2000 level or above before graduation. 

 

The introductory course is given a number at the 1000 level because it is the most basic in our department and is appropriate for first year students. All other courses are given numbers in the 2000, 3000, and 4000 range. These numbers are intended to indicate the progressively more challenging nature of the courses.

Departmental Contact Information:

Department of Religious Studies,
Room 107 Cushing Hall, mail stop box C-2. Tel: x5166