Anthropology and Religious Studies

MajorBachelor of Arts

Become an astute observer of the world’s religions.

The combined major in Anthropology and Religion supplements the study of the human condition with the study of religious human traditions. Allowing students to specialize in two related fields, combined majors draw on the knowledge and opportunities afforded by two academic departments and fields of study. Students in our program gain access to hands-on participation in research in both departments, and small class sizes allow for direct contact with both departments’ faculty.

In addition, the city of Indianapolis boasts a variety of local museums, service organizations, and more, providing access to internships, service learning, and research opportunities.

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Program Information

Curriculum

The Anthropology and Religious Studies major includes courses from both disciplines that focus, descriptively, on the world’s various religions, and on the methods that professionals use to observe and describe them. Sample courses in this program include:

TI 250-RL – Religions of the World
SW 215-AN – Introductory Anthropology
AN 101 – Being Human
RL 358 – Hinduism: Past and Present
RL 377 – Religion, Gender, and the Goddess in Asia
AN 390 – Development of Anthropological Thought

See all Anthropology and Religious Studies curriculum information

The professors helped mold me into the strong, resilient student and researcher that I am today.

“If it wasn’t for the love and compassion that lies within the History, Anthropology, and Classics Department, I wouldn’t have made it as far along in my education experience as I did. The professors helped mold me into the strong, resilient student and researcher that I am today.”

Sophia Harris ’20

Meet Your Faculty

Sholeh Shahrokhi

Professor – Anthropology
Department of History, Anthropology and Classics

Sholeh Shahrokhi is a Professor in Anthropology in the Department of History, Anthropology, and Classics, at the college of LAS at Butler University.Dr. Shahrokhi received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley in…
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James McGrath

Professor – Religion
Department of Philosophy and Religion

James F. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature. His PhD from the University of Durham became the basis for his first book, John’s Apologetic Christology, published by Cambridge University Press in the SNTS…
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Tom Mould

Professor – Anthropology
Department of History, Anthropology and Classics

Tom Mould is a folklorist and anthropologist studying folklore, narrative, language and culture, American Indian studies, religious and political narratives, and social justice. He is the author of 4 books and co-editor of 2 more.