Binghamton University, State University of New York
Religious studies (Minor)
Binghamton University, USA
Course
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Religious Studies minor at Binghamton University’s Harpur College offers a multidisciplinary introduction to religion, combining humanities, social sciences and biological perspectives. You’ll study religious traditions, theology, sociology and methods through a focused curriculum that integrates Harpur courses. Binghamton is a public research university–ranked #1 public in New York and #52 in the U.S. (Forbes, 2023)–with 18,000 students and 130+ programs.
Career Outcomes: A Religious Studies minor prepares students for education, law, social work, public service, non‑profit leadership, journalism, museum work, outreach, and graduate study. It supports careers needing cultural literacy, critical thinking, research, communication, and ethical reasoning skills.
The academic study of religion is a multidisciplinary field, which draws on the varied disciplines of the human, social and biological sciences. Harpur College offers a wide range of courses that allow students to learn about different religious traditions through these many methodologies. The minor incorporates Harpur courses into a focused curriculum.
High-performing students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.
Some courses to consider in your first year:
JUST 111 - Philosophy of Religion
This survey course explores some of the many philosophical and methodological questions that emerge from the study of religious thought. Topics include the nature of religious subjectivity, divinity, prayer, sacrifice, and faith. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate
JUST 257 - Jews and Muslims
This course offers a survey of Jewish‐Muslim relations from the emergence of Islam through the modern period. Beginning with the medieval period, topics covered include the relationship between Islam and peoples of the Book, Jewish communal life and self‐government, participation in Mediterranean trade, the world of the Cairo Geniza, and intellectual and cultural achievements of the “Golden Age of Spain.” Moving to the early modern and modern periods, topics covered will include Jewish life in the Ottoman lands, the rise of European imperialism, the dissolution of empire and the emergence of nationalism. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate
HEBR 101 - Hebrew I
Communicative introduction to the language and its culture. Provides a thorough grounding in reading, writing, grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Intended for beginners, whose knowledge does not exceed 50 Hebrew words. No prerequisites. 4 credits. Offered in Fall. Levels: Undergraduate
YIDD 101 - Yiddish I
Communicative introduction to the language and its culture. Provides a thorough grounding in reading, writing, grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Intended for beginners. No prerequisites. 4 credits. Offered in Fall. Levels: Undergraduate
HEBR 102 - Hebrew II
Second semester of the communicative introduction to the language and its culture. Provides a thorough grounding in reading, writing, grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Prerequisites: HEBR 101 with a grade of C- or equivalent. 4 credits. Offered in Spring Levels: Undergraduate
YIDD 102 - Yiddish II
Second semester of the communicative introduction to the language and its culture. Provides a thorough grounding in reading, writing, grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Prerequisites: YIDD 101 with a grade of C- or equivalent.4 credits. Offered in Spring. Levels: Undergraduate
