This document outlines an agenda for an undergraduate workshop on religious studies. The workshop will help religious studies majors understand and navigate the discipline by describing the field, getting to know areas of specialty within it, discussing its interdisciplinary nature, and providing advice on making it one's own area of focus. Students will discuss their interests in and relationships to the discipline, learn about professional organizations and conferences, and get mentoring on challenges such as building networks across disciplines and making their study applicable to employers.

1. Undergrad
Workshop
for Religious
Studies
Majors
by Kristy L.
Slominski
NAVIGATING THE DISCIPLINE:
UNDERSTANDING AND
MAKING THE MOST OF
THE STUDY OF RELIGION

2. Describing the Discipline
Getting to Know the Discipline
Navigating Interdisciplinarity
Making the Discipline Your Own
Q&A
AGENDA

3. What words come to mind when
you think about “religious studies”?
How do you describe it to others?
Which methods, religions, regions,
and themes most interest you?
DESCRIBE THE
DISCIPLINE

4. In 1-2 sentences, write your areas
of strength in the discipline.
Ex.) I am a religious studies scholar
who specializes in American religious
history, gender, and sexuality.
Share with someone next to you.
YOUR RELATIONSHIP
TO THE DISCIPLINE

5. Through scholarship
Journals, books, blogs
Through professors
Understand their subfields
Through conferences
GET TO KNOW THE
DISCIPLINE BETTER

6. Student rate
Regional conference
Undergrad panels
Get to know your subfields
National conference
Explore potential grad programs
AMERICAN ACADEMY
OF RELIGION

7. History
Ethnic
Studies
Feminist
Studies
Sociolog
y
NAVIGATING
INTERDISCIPLINARITY
Anthropolo
gy
Religious
Studies Theological
Studies
Philosop
hy

8. Building multiple networks
Attending multiple conferences
Navigating conflicts between
disciplines
Making Sense to Employers
CHALLENGES OF
INTERDISCIPLINARITY

9. Learn about their career paths
Ask about their interdisciplinary
challenges and get advice
Seek out the support you need
from faculty or advanced peers
USE MENTORS AS GUIDES

10. Envision Where you Fit
Collect skills:
Strategic courses, reading,
writing, speaking, presenting,
research, internship/work study,
study abroad, networking,
publishing in undergrad journals
MAKING THE
DISCIPLINE YOUR OWN

11. Get involved
Conferences
Public Talks
Help Arrange Visits and Talks
Assistantships, Internships
Teaching & Tutoring
MAKING THE
DISCIPLINE YOUR OWN

12. THANK YOU FOR COMING!
 Questions?