Academic Programs

One of more than 100 Buddha sculptures in Denison's Asian art collection

Religion is an essential part of humanistic studies in a liberal arts education. The study of religion is one way to establish a view of reality and of the meaning of human existence as individuals and as social beings in relation to ultimate reality.

The goals of the department are to help students:

• understand the nature of religion
• understand both Western and non-Western religious traditions
• develop critical and analytical skills for examining the various religious systems offered in a pluralistic society
• examine their own religious perceptions.

Many religion majors and minors conduct year-long senior research projects, the majority of which are converted into honors theses.

The Woodyard Summer Scholar Awards provide six to eight students with scholarships to do individual or collaborative projects in the area of "Religion and Civic Responsibility." These awards provide students an excellent opportunity either to initiate the exploration of a topic, or to explore an area further as part of a senior research or honors project. The research culminates in a major written project.

The Denison Journal of Religion is published annually by the department of religion. All articles are written by Denison students of all majors to promote and encourage intellectual reflection on religious issues.

The religion major and minor

To major in religion, students must take a minimum of nine courses selected in consultation with the major advisor, including:

• four required courses
• a concentration of at least three courses in a designated area
• a seminar designed around special topics in a concentration area.

Religion majors take a comprehensive examination at the end of their senior year.

To minor in religion, students must take a minimum of six courses including:

• four required courses
• one elective
• a seminar designed around special topics.

Religion minors take an abbreviated comprehensive examination at the end of their senior year.

Professor David Woodyard conducts a religion seminar in Knapp Hall

What do religion majors do after Denison?

The question of what one can do with a major or minor in religion is answered by the careers of recent graduates.

Some have sought advanced degrees in the study of religion, either with an academic focus or aimed at a career in a religious profession.

However, the majority of our graduates have sought careers in other fields. Some have gone to law school, business school or medical school. Some work for local social service agencies, with environmental organizations or as teachers. Some work for banks, advertising agencies or stock brokerage firms.

The one constant is that all of them report that the skills in critical thinking, writing and research that they developed as a religion major or minor have been a distinct asset in their careers.

Who are our professors?

Department Chair and Associate Professor Harold Van Broekhoven joined the faculty at Denison in 1991. He earned a B.A. at Wheaton College and a Ph.D. at Boston University. His research interests include New Testament Greek, the books of Luke and Acts, Pauline studies, social world of early Christianity, New Testament theology and Israelite wisdom literature.

Associate Provost and Associate Professor C. Keith Boone joined the faculty at Denison in 1986. He earned a B.A. at St. Meinrad College, an M.A. at Indiana University and a Ph.D. at Emory University. His research interests include the first amendment and church and state, ethics of genetic engineering and bio-medical ethics.

Professor John E. Cort joined the faculty at Denison in 1992. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. at the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. and a Ph.D. at Harvard University. His research interests include Asian, Indian and comparative religions, Indian history and culture and the history of religion.

Visiting Assistant Professor Lyone Fein joined the faculty in 2007. She earned a B.A. at Brandeis University and her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. She is teaching classes in World Religions, Hinduism, Jewish Studies and the Nature of Religion.

Visiting Assistant Professor Joanne Henry joined the faculty in 2007. She earned her B.A. at St. Olaf College, an M.A. at the Pacific School of Religion, and her Ph.D. at the Graduate Theological Union. She is teaching a special topics class on African American Women.

Associate Professor John L. Jackson joined the faculty at Denison in 1974. He earned a B.S. at Miles College, an M.Div. at Harvard Divinity School and a Ph.D. at Ohio State University. His research interests include liberation theology, black theology and black religion, feminist theology, religion of the slave, new religions, cults and sects.

Assistant Professor Jennifer Saunders joined the faculty at Denison in 2005. She earned a B.A. at Duke University, an M.A. at the University of North Carolina and a Ph.D. at Emory University.

Professor David O. Woodyard, who held the Charles and Nancy Brickman Distinguished Service Chair, joined the faculty at Denison in 1960. He earned a B.A. at Denison University, an M.Div. at Union Theological Seminary and a D.Min. at Vanderbilt University. His research specialties are liberation theology, environmental theology and the intersection of religion and economics.