RELIGIOUS STUDIES

What is Religious Studies?

Religion is a fundamental and distinctive aspect of human culture. As religion represents the deepest hopes, fears, concerns and values of human being, it can play both constructive and destructive roles in society.

Religious Studies takes religion primarily as a cultural and social phenomenon and studies it critically as well as sympathetically. Since religion is embodied in different culture and in various dimensions, including social, experiential, ritual, ethical, narrative, doctrinal and material, Religious Studies must be cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary, including the methods of cultural studies, psychology, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, history and literature, etc. Hence, Religious Studies is an academic discipline that is an integral part of the human sciences.

Our undergraduate programme of Religious Studies at CUHK provides a comprehensive and in-depth study of religion. It introduces to students not only traditions and classics of various religions, but also issues related to religion and contemporary society as well as methodologies employed in Religious Studies.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong has been devoting to religious studies for many years. Since 1957, religious education and theological training have been an integral part of the academic programme of Chung Chi College. In 1968, the Department of Religion and Philosophy was established in the College, as one of the academic departments within The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1978, the Department of Religion became an independent unit with the Theology Division attached to it, and continued to be a vital academic unit within the University. The Department is committed to pursuing excellence in teaching and research in the academic study of religion. It realizes this goal through the joint efforts of faculty and supporting staff in providing excellent services and quality teaching in a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in religion and other disciplines. It facilitates faculty members and visiting scholars in advancing scholarly research in religions, particularly in the Chinese context.

Due to their proper training in Religious Studies, our students are rather well equipped of communication skills as well as awareness and analysis of cultural and social issues. They can adapt themselves to a wide range of professions. We proud to see that a significant portion of our graduates committing themselves to the teaching profession, teaching Religious Education / Religion and Ethics in many secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong. Many of our graduates can find jobs in many other professions, including social services, media, church ministry, business and civil services.