Department of Religious Studies

Emphasis of the Graduate Program

The primary emphasis of the program is upon understanding through interpretation. Interpretation is broadly construed to include: 1) appreciation of the ways in which geographically diverse cultures from ancient times to the present have interpreted their own religious symbols and actions, 2) sophistication with regard to the methodological difficulties confronting those trained in modern, western scholarship as they attempt to interpret other traditions, 3) understanding of the challenges that face the historian who attempts to establish the text, context, and authorship of a document or event for which evidence is scanty or conflicting, and 4) awareness of the variety of theories that are employed by modern interpreters of religion and the philosophical presuppositions and scholarly ramifications that are implied by them.

Thus the focus of the program is upon the descriptive, historical, critical and theoretical work that engages every interpreter of religion.

Stages of the PhD Program

The Graduate Group in Religious Studies offers a PhD program consisting in three stages. At present, the MA degree is awarded only to fully matriculated PhD students and Penn undergraduates who successfully complete the submatriculation program (a joint BA/MA). The three stages are: i) undertaking course work, followed by qualification examinations; ii) preliminary examinations in the student's area of specialization; andiii) dissertation and oral defense.

The schedule as well as content of each student's course of study within the department is made in close consultation with members of the faculty and is designed to maximize the educational experience and employability of the doctoral student.