Religious Studies

Cannon College of Arts and Sciences

Religious Studies Overview
The Department of Religion and Philosophy at Wingate University focuses primarily on Christian traditions; many of our students are preparing for leadership roles in ministry or academics. Since our students are rooted in several denominational traditions and will find themselves working in increasingly pluralistic settings, there are no narrow or sectarian limitations on curriculum or on student projects.

Maturity springs from dynamic encounters with the actual breadth of Christian tradition and related perspectives. This occurs best when freedom of inquiry and expression are a valued part of the classroom and seminar experience.

From a global perspective, religions are the most important bearers of cultural constructs. Religious scripture, ritual, metaphysics, morality and art enrich each new age by opening windows to the past, bequeathing traditional wisdom and modeling prophetic engagement.

In a liberal arts university, the study of religion is an essential discipline. Students and faculty join in the challenging task of assimilating the vast store of religious traditions currently available in print and electronic media. With the accumulation of knowledge, one also strives to cultivate evaluative and critical skills after the fashion of the best theologians and religious scholars of the past.

Majoring in religious studies requires 30 hours of course work. Fifteen hours must be distributed among four content areas: Bible, Religious History, Theology and Philosophy. Twelve hours of electives can be used to specialize in one of the content areas. The remaining three hours is the senior research seminar. Class sizes are relatively small. Professors see their task as being good teachers, teaching the Bible background, content and the meaning of the Christian faith in its global perspective.

In each area, varied offerings include broad survey courses that serve to introduce whole areas of study as well as focused courses designed for the deeper pursuits of special interests. With the advisors' help, students make course choices appropriate to their own levels of expertise.

The faculty in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Wingate University represent many fine universities, expertise in several areas and numerous years of experience.

 

 

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Classes of Interest
Biblical studies courses
Historical studies
Theological studies
Philosophical studies
Catalog Description & Information
Religious Studies Faculty
Honor Society
Students with exceptional levels of scholarly achievement are honored by election to the Alpha Gamma Phi chapter of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology.
Internships
Paul Rumore- Church of the Redeemer, Monroe, NC
Gracie Cates- Jackson Park United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC
Research Projects
Students capable of individual research are offered grants for summer research projects, working individually with one of the department's faculty members.

Jennifer Grassmann, A Biblical Understanding of the Role of Women in Jesus’ Ministry
Sara Hall, A Bible Devotional for Children
Jonathan Redding, Questioning the Bible: A Bible Study Guide Book
Jessica Potter, Reading the Bible Creatively
Jessica Haynes, The Bible and Popular Music
Jeff Shade, Children's Bibles
Gracie Cates, Articulating the Trinity Today
Career Opportunities
Clergy
Professor or Teacher
Director of Church Education or Youth
Clinical / Hospital Pastoral Care
Chaplain
Youth Minister
Our Graduates
Rev. Cynthia Whisnant Brasher, Director of Spiritual Services, Lee Memorial Health System (Florida)
Dr. Bob Lowman, Director of the Metrolina Baptist Association (Charlotte, NC)
Dr. Kenneth Lance, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Salisbury, NC
Jonathan Redding, graduate student at Wake Forest School of Divinity

220 N. Camden St.
Wingate University
Wingate, North Carolina 28174

Toll Free: 1-800-755-5550
Phone: 704-233-8000

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