the b.a. in the department of religious studies is a research, analytic, and writing intensive program that features close work with faculty in small classroom settings. it seeks to develop a foundational knowledge of the world’s diversity of religious cultures and critical awareness of the ways in which religion shapes how people see and act toward themselves, others, and the environment around them. through the study of specific religious traditions and settings, students come away with a background that is invaluable to understanding and working with people of other cultures, whether in international business or simply as an informed global citizen. through hands-on training in research and academic writing, students also acquire substantial communication and critical thinking skills that translate easily into most any profession. as a department that encompasses multiple disciplinary and area studies expertise, it share synergies with units across the university that allow students to nurture all manner of specialized interests when it comes to the study of religions, from pan-regional traditions to localized indigenous religions, from gender, ritual, and material religion to textual studies.