Philosophy and Religious Studies

As the academic and interdisciplinary study of religion, religious studies at Spelman College provides insights into the ways in which religious worldviews interact with social, political and cultural life in diverse settings. It also offers students the opportunity to identify and critically assess their participation in religious traditions and institutions as Black women and to develop knowledge about and competency to interact with diverse views of the world. Religious studies majors develop key skills and abilities, such as critical thinking, analytic reasoning, conducting empirical study, interpretive thinking, competency in written and oral communication, self-awareness and cultural competency for a variety of careers in today’s global society.

“… the academic study of religion reveals just how extensively religion pervades all aspects of our complex and diverse human world.” -- Debra Majeed, “How to Study Religion” in Introduction to Religious Studies.

“If I went back to college today, I think I would probably major in comparative religion because that’s how integrated it is in everything that we are working on and deciding and thinking about in life today." -- John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State.

Declare the major (or the minor). This involves meeting with the department chair and completing official paperwork declaring philosophy as your major. To schedule a meeting with the department chair, Dr. Nami Kim, please email nkim@spelman.edu.

Philosophy is an excellent preparation for law, medicine, post-secondary education (including a Masters or a Ph.D. in Philosophy, or any discipline, including STEM), public policy, marketing, business, statistics, social media, AI, tech or journalism. A degree in philosophy is considered both a specialization in critical thinking/logic and creative thinking. Many corporations, non-profit organizations, law schools and medical schools reserve spots for philosophy majors and minors.

The major in religious studies focuses on critical thinking, critical writing and empirical study about the diverse worldviews that influence human identities and activity. It is an excellent preparation for graduate study (e.g., the Ph.D. in religious studies, anthropology, sociology, history, and other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences) as well as pursuing professions for which autonomous and synthetic thinking and writing are required, such as law, public policy, non-profit leadership, social justice and organizing, social work, mental health, diplomacy, public service, managing virtual and physical information systems and libraries, marketing, journalism, military/hospital/institutional chaplaincy and ministry.

Spelman has graduated more Black women in philosophy than any other undergraduate institution. Our majors have become professors and administrators and serve in various academic, nongovernmental and nonprofit institutions. Recent Spelman philosophy graduates have also worked in corporate finance, public health, international relations and community development. Many also go on to professional careers in law, medicine and business.

Religious studies graduates over the past 10 to 15 years are successfully pursuing careers as college professors, attorneys, administrators in higher education, non-profit managers, priests and ministers, military chaplains, social justice advocates, entrepreneurs and more.

You will be assigned an academic advisor once you are officially registered as a philosophy major or a religious studies major.

Yes. As long as you plan thoughtfully, a double major can be intellectually enriching. It can also expand your career opportunities. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your interest in a double major.