Religion shapes and impacts every aspect of human existence. To understand our globalized community, one needs to understand faith, religion and religious believers. Our minor in religious studies and theology will provide you the opportunity to explore perennial human questions concerning ultimate meaning. Our program will also provide you with a foundation for understanding social justice, culture, and faith in our increasingly connected world.

Trinity founded by the Catholic Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur means that Catholicism, serves as the point of departure for our academic program. However, all branches of Christianity are studied as well as the world’s major faiths including the religious traditions of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Rooted in the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s charism for social justice, many of the religious studies classes’ emphasis the role of the Catholic, Christian virtues faith, hope, love, mercy and justice. Together with the University Library and Campus Ministry programs, the Religious Studies department oversees the Trinity Serves program which engages religious studies students in acts of social-justice-focused service to the campus community.

Trinity hosted a symposium on Catholic Social Justice in Fall of 2025. Learn more!

Why Study Religion?

Religious traditions and faith shape and influence all aspects of people’s lives. The academic study of religion is a challenging and rewarding field for students–Catholic or non-Catholic–who are preparing for a variety of careers, especially those with a focus on social justice, including ministry in religious institutions, journalism, education, law, social work, counseling, nursing, governmental affairs and international relations. Students majoring in humanities and social sciences can enhance their cross-cultural grounding by studying the influence of religion on historical events, while students majoring in global affairs will find the study of religion crucial to understanding historical conflicts and present-day events, especially those in predominately Catholic regions like Latin America. Students in health sciences will find the study of religion and social justice helpful as they navigate complex moral and ethical questions in the fields of medicine and health services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What religions can I learn about?

The Religious Studies department through RST 101 and 102 offers introductory opportunities to explore the field of academic religious studies and many religious traditions including the Abrahamic Traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and other major world religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Indigenous Religious Traditions. In upper-level classes, the department offers opportunities to explore many of these religious traditions in a deeper study. Courses look at Christian Spirituality, how to read Biblical texts and Catholic Social Teaching.

Who should take a religious studies class?

Everyone! Religious studies classes have something for everyone. Students majoring in humanities and social sciences can study the influence of religion on historical events, while students majoring in global affairs will find the study of religion crucial to understanding historical conflicts and present-day events. Students in health sciences will find the study of religion helpful as they navigate complex moral questions and patient support.

What is a service-learning class?

Currently, the RST program has one service-learning class: RST 223: Christ, the Church and Social Justice. In this class, the student’s classroom learning of academic topics related to Catholic Social Teaching is enhanced through meaningful service to the Trinity Washington Community. Students in this class work throughout the semester to host various service opportunities on campus such as an Interfaith Iftar as a sign of solidarity, environmental projects such as planting a garden as a way to safeguard creation or a panel discussion on a topic related to the dignity of the human person. Students learn public speaking skills, event management skills and community building skills through the hands-on assignments.

How can I find out more?

The faculty, staff and advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences are happy to answer your questions about which courses would help you reach your academic goals. For more information about the RST courses, feel free to contact the professor teaching the course or the Department chair, Dr. Jeannine Marino.