religion, culture, and values

The MAIS concentration in Religion, Culture, and Values is designed for students interested in the development and interaction of major global religious traditions,that continue to influence human self-awareness, identity, culture and values. The two core courses introduce students to the study of religion as a unique and rigorous intellectual discipline. Students will learn to evaluate critically a variety of perspectives on religion, and gain a clear understanding of the dimension of the sacred in all aspects of human life, including those commonly designated "secular". Students will discover how religious perceptions of the sacred respond to an evolving world and relate to and influence cultures, institutions, and values. The effects of historical crises,the forces of change on religions, including contemporary religious pluralism and inter-religious dialogue, will be examined. Students will gain a deeper knowledge of specific traditions and a more profound understanding of values and worldviews from the viewpoint of cultural diversity and religious pluralism.

MAIS is interdisciplinary in focus and students in the concentration will be able to take courses in and create specilizations that include courses from disciplines such as anthroplogy, communications, conflict analysis, English, government, history, philosophy, public policy, sociology, and women's studies. In the four suggested areas of specialization, for example, students could link their religion courses to disciplines that have special relevance to the concentration's topics.

Students will complete their work by designing theses or projects that build on all they have learned. A project might focus on an aspect of religious communication in the media, for instance, or create a comparative religious database for reporters and commentators. A thesis might address topics such as the possibility of resolving divisive ethical issues by setting them within a comparative religious context, or the effects of globalization on national/ethnic forms of traditional religious expression.

This concentration is particularly applicable but not restricted to careers in law, national and international government, print and media journalism, library sciences, archives and museums, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies and religious communities and institutions. The Washington metropolitan area is rich in the presence of many major religious traditions and their places of worship.

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admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling the GMU admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit the following:

Three letters of recommendation
Goals Statement
1, 000 word writing sample
Resume

Prospective students may apply on line.

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degree requirements

Students complete 36 credits of core courses and specialized courses distributed as follows:

6 credits of core courses
6 to 9 credits of additional Religious Studies courses
3 credits of Research Methodology
6 to 9 credits of specialization which should include 3 credits of Religion.
3 to 12 credits of electives
1 credit of MAIS 797 proposal writing
2 to 5 credits of MAIS 798 Project or 5 credtis of MAIS 799 Thesis
For a copy of the Religion, Culture, and Values Curriculum contract go to: Download Concentration Contract (pdf)