History of the Department

 The present Religion Department traces its origins to 1892, when the trustees of the college authorized the establishment of the Amanda Rupert Strong Chair of English Bible. For the next four decades the occupant of that chair also served as the college chaplain. In 1931 a separate Department of English Bible was established, a required course in biblical history for all students was continued, and the department was separated from the chaplaincy. In the early 1950s the department was renamed the Department of Biblical Literature and Religion. In 1969 the department took its present name, the Department of Religion.

From the curricular revision just after WWII to the adoption of a 4-1-4 calendar in 1969, courses in the history and literature of the Old and New Testaments were required of all students. After 1969, the distribution requirement in religion could be met by taking introductory courses in biblical studies, history of religions, or religious thought.

Although the distribution requirement in religion was eliminated in the mid-1990s, students today may choose courses from a variety of courses in the major religious traditions of the Americas, of Africa, of the Middle East, and of the Far East.

The Waltemeyer Seminar Room (Weidensall Hall Room 308), contains reference books, and is used as a classroom and meeting space.