Research and Scholarship

Faculty members of the Religious Studies Department engage in meaningful research projects and contribute to scholarly conversations by publishing books and articles, delivering papers at professional meetings, and traveling nationally and internationally to present their work.

A number of religious studies majors also have delivered papers at professional academic meetings and published their work in academic journals. Students have also undertaken summer research in association with departmental faculty members on a variety of topics. Their work has been supported financially and logistically by Davidson programs such the Davidson Research Initiative.

All religious studies majors also participate in the departmental Senior Colloquium (REL 401) in the fall semester of senior year. During this course and under the guidance of a faculty convener, seniors research and produce a thesis project and support one another in their work by discussing progress, sharing findings, and offering encouragement.

Annually since 2001, the department awards the Samuel Maloney Essay Prize to the best student paper addressing some aspect of the social, cultural, or ethical dimensions of religious life.