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The College of Wooster has historic and present-day connections to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). However, it does not have a primary religious faith. The college is home to a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff representing over 25 different religious, secular, and spiritual identities. The Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) department at Wooster supports students, staff, and faculty in their individual and collective journeys, regardless of their faith identities or backgrounds. The college offers a wide range of faith-based organizations and communities, including the Wooster Christian Fellowship, Wooster Catholic Community, Hillel, and more. The college also has a Pre-Ministry program for students considering seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, or religious vocations and study. The Religious Studies department at Wooster takes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives such as history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The College of Wooster has a long history of preparing individuals for the ministry, both lay and ordained. |
| Religious Studies Majors | Religious Studies majors study a multitude of religions and the varying manners in which they influence our lives and society. |
| Religious Studies Topics | Students in the Religious Studies major investigate religion's role in scientific and environmental issues, national and global politics, gender, sexuality, pop culture, the arts, peace, and violence. |
| Religious Studies Interests | The College of Wooster Religious Studies department generally has between 30-40 majors. |
| Religious Studies Careers | Religious Studies graduates are all over the world, employed or in graduate school, as teachers, lawyers, counselors or social workers, international aid and development specialists, in organic farming, human rights, or other politically engaged NGOs, business, and the medical fields. And, of course, many are in seminary or are clergy. |
| Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) | The College of Wooster is home to diverse students, faculty, and staff representing more than 25+ different religious, secular, and spiritual identities. |
| RSL Mission Statement | RSL promotes the nurturing and flourishing of religious, secular, and spiritual communities at the College of Wooster. |
| RSL Areas of Support | Spiritual Accompaniment & Health, Vocational Discernment, Support for Faith-based Organizations/Communities, Service & Reflection, Education & Social Justice, and Leadership Development. |
| Pre-Ministry Program | The College of Wooster recently launched its Pre-Ministry program which provides students a structure for discernment and fellowship with others who may be considering seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, or religious vocations and study. |
What You'll Learn
The College of Wooster has no primary religion
The College of Wooster offers a Religious Studies major for students. The major takes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives such as history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages. The college also offers a Pre-Ministry program that provides students with a structure for discernment and fellowship with others who may be considering seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, or religious vocations and study.
The College of Wooster's Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) supports a wide range of faith traditions. The college recognizes that students may want to join a community of faith that is not available in the city of Wooster, and Religious & Spiritual Life will assist and support students who wish to travel to the closest worshipping community in the area. The college also offers pastoral care and spiritual direction for students, faculty, and staff who are interested in exploring life concerns through a religious and spiritual framework.
The College of Wooster's Religious Studies major is not restricted to those who are part of religious communities. Many Religious Studies majors are not part of religious communities but come to Religious Studies with an interest in understanding the ways that religions are part of history and culture. The major provides ways for religious "outsiders" to understand the many forms of religious life to which people commit themselves.
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The college supports religious and spiritual diversity
The College of Wooster has historic and present-day connections to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). However, the college does not have a primary religious faith and supports religious and spiritual diversity. The college is home to diverse students, faculty, and staff representing over 25 different religious, secular, and spiritual identities.
The Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) department at Wooster promotes the nurturing and flourishing of religious, secular, and spiritual communities. The department supports students, staff, and faculty in their individual and collective journeys, regardless of their faith identities or backgrounds. They provide opportunities for education, reflection, celebration, and community.
Wooster's academic environment allows students to pursue a wide range of interests, and the Religious Studies department takes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives such as history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages. The college also offers a Pre-Ministry program that provides students with a structure for discernment and fellowship with others considering seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, or religious vocations and study.
The college community welcomes individuals from various paths and aims to foster a sense of belonging while cultivating deeper understandings of oneself and others. Wooster supports an inclusive environment, emphasising the important differences between traditions and perspectives. They are committed to anti-racism, creating brave(r) spaces, positively pluralistic attitudes, trauma-informed practices, healing-centered approaches, and restorative justice.
The college offers a range of programs and services that explore and nurture religious and spiritual life. Baccalaureate, for example, is an annual multi-faith celebration during Commencement exercises that reflects the broad themes of the graduating class's shared experiences at Wooster. The college also facilitates pastoral care, spiritual direction, and intergenerational mentoring programs that help students explore important life questions.
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Religious studies are interdisciplinary
Religious studies at the College of Wooster are interdisciplinary, integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives. The college believes that the academic study of religion is best approached by examining it through the lenses of history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages. This makes the Religious Studies major or minor a great choice for students with diverse academic interests.
The College of Wooster has a long history of preparing individuals for ministry, both lay and ordained. The college's Religious Studies program reflects this by offering a diverse and interdisciplinary curriculum. Students in the Religious Studies program explore a wide range of topics, including the role of religion in scientific and environmental issues, national and global politics, gender, sexuality, pop culture, the arts, peace, and violence.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Religious Studies program at Wooster is further evident in the variety of double majors that students can pursue. For example, students can combine Religion with Anthropology, Art History, Communication, English, Molecular Biology, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. This allows students to gain a deeper understanding of religion by exploring it through different disciplinary lenses.
The College of Wooster also offers a Pre-Ministry program that provides students with a structure for discernment and fellowship. This program is designed for those considering seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, or other religious vocations and studies. The college's Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) department also supports a variety of spaces, student organizations, and programs that foster spiritual and religious growth within the diverse student body.
The College of Wooster's approach to Religious Studies as an interdisciplinary field reflects its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The college community represents more than 25 different religious, secular, and spiritual identities, and the RSL department emphasizes the important differences between traditions and perspectives. By embracing interdisciplinarity, the College of Wooster's Religious Studies program provides a holistic understanding of religion and its role in society.
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The college offers a pre-ministry program
The College of Wooster does not have a primary religious faith. The college has historic and present-day connections to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), but it is home to diverse students, faculty, and staff representing over 25 different religious, secular, and spiritual identities. The college's Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) program supports students, staff, and faculty in their individual and collective journeys, regardless of their faith identities or backgrounds.
The College of Wooster offers a pre-ministry program that provides students with a structure for discernment and fellowship with others who may be considering seminary, rabbinical school, graduate theological education, or other religious vocations and studies. The program is designed for those who are considering a call to ministry, which can take many forms, including non-profit management, parish ministry, social work, chaplaincy, or PhD study.
Students in the pre-ministry program have access to resources for visiting seminaries or divinity schools and receive guidance on exploring a vocation for professional ministry. The program is led by Dr. Chan Sok Park and Chaplain Erin Guzmán, who are available to meet with students and provide support and mentorship.
The College of Wooster's Religious Studies department also offers a wide range of courses that explore different religions and their influence on society. Students can major or minor in Religious Studies, studying a multitude of religions and examining the many ways that religions are present in our lives. The interdisciplinary approach of the Religious Studies program integrates perspectives from history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages.
The College of Wooster's pre-ministry program and Religious Studies department reflect the college's commitment to fostering spiritual growth and exploration among its diverse community.
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Wooster has a long history of preparing individuals for ministry
The College of Wooster has a long history of preparing students for ministry, both lay and ordained. The College's Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) department supports students, staff, and faculty in their individual and collective journeys, regardless of their faith identities or backgrounds. The RSL provides opportunities for education, reflection, celebration, and community.
The College of Wooster's academic study of religion is interdisciplinary, integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives such as history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages. This makes the Religious Studies major or minor an excellent choice for any Wooster student with diverse academic interests.
The College of Wooster's Religious Studies department offers a wide range of courses that explore religions from all over the world and throughout human history. Students investigate the role of religion in scientific and environmental issues, national and global politics, gender, sexuality, pop culture, the arts, peace, and violence. The department also offers a Pre-Ministry program that provides students with a structure for discernment and fellowship with others who may be considering seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, or religious vocations and study.
The College of Wooster's Religious & Spiritual Life department sponsors and organizes various programs that explore and nurture religious and spiritual life on campus. Baccalaureate is an annual multi-faith celebration that is traditionally held in McGaw Chapel and is open to the entire College of Wooster community. Members of the graduating class plan and participate in this multi-faith service, incorporating prayers from several world religions to make the occasion accessible to persons of all faiths.
The College of Wooster's commitment to religious and spiritual life is evident through its support for a variety of religious student organizations on campus, including Wooster Christian Fellowship, Wooster Catholic Community, UKirk Wooster, and Hillel. These organizations provide opportunities for students to connect with others who share their religious beliefs and to explore their faith in a supportive community.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the College of Wooster does not have a primary religious faith. The College of Wooster is home to diverse students, faculty, and staff representing more than 25+ different religious, secular, and spiritual identities.
Yes, the College of Wooster offers religious studies as a major or minor. The Religious Studies department is based in Kauke Hall.
The Religious Studies program at the College of Wooster is interdisciplinary, integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives such as history, anthropology, sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, art history, literature, and languages. The program allows students to pursue a wide range of interests and careers, with graduates going on to work in various sectors, including education, politics, non-profit organizations, social work, and libraries.
Yes, the College of Wooster offers a variety of programs and services through its Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) department. RSL promotes the nurturing and flourishing of religious, secular, and spiritual communities on campus and provides support for students, staff, and faculty from all faith backgrounds. RSL also organizes Baccalaureate, an annual multi-faith celebration that takes place during Commencement exercises.
Yes, there are several places of worship in Wooster and the surrounding areas representing a wide range of faith traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist communities.
