The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences offers students a rigorous academic understanding of religious traditions as they have shaped and been shaped by human history, society, and culture. The program approaches religion from an academic—not confessional—standpoint, providing opportunities for comparative and thematic study across multiple traditions and historical periods. Students develop the ability to analyze and interpret religious texts, histories, and practices, engage critically with a variety of methodologies, and explore the intersection between religion and contemporary global issues. The major is ideal for students interested in advanced study in the academic field of religion, those integrating religious studies into a broader liberal arts education, and those seeking to fulfill distribution requirements through rigorous exploration of religion. Courses for 2025 include topics such as religion and ecological sustainability, Africana religions, religion and reason, and studies of specific traditions and texts.