Special Programs

The Carthage Religion Department offers several special academic programs that enrich a student's education and experience.

J-Term

J-Term is a month-long period of study in January in which all academic departments offer innovative courses on campus, as well as study tours in other countries.

Recent offerings from the Religion Department include: Christian Responses to Nazism and the Nazi State, taught by Prof. Thomas Long; An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah, taught by Prof. Sandra Bisciglia; and a study tour to The Himalayas for a Carthage Symposium J-Term trip combining geography and religion, led by Religion Prof. James Lochtefeld and Geography Prof. Julio Rivera.

Every summer, Religion Prof. Dan Schowalter leads a summer J-Term trip to northern Israel, where students experience all aspects of the ongoing excavation of a Roman temple site at Omrit. Many other study abroad opportunities are also available.

Parish Service

Religion students at Carthage can get hands-on experience in ministry and leadership by working within a local congregation or church organization. The Parish Service course at Carthage assigns students to a Kenosha-area congregation or church organization, where they assist the pastor and practice leadership in several self-chosen areas of church life. Students meet regularly with their Carthage placement supervisor and participate in classroom conferences with their professor. The work gives students practical experience in ministry and hands-on training toward a future career as a minister or counselor.

Double Major

The religion major at Carthage is flexible, making it easy to combine with a major in another discipline. Many students choose to double-major in religion and another subject, or add a religion minor to their educational focus. A professional in just about any field can benefit from a religion major. Students studying religion at Carthage receive rigorous training in thinking clearly about complex human issues and multi-cultural study, which can make anyone into a more effective lawyer, teacher, politician, business person, artist, psychologist, actor, social worker, physician, historian, scientist and more.

Independent Study

Religion department professors invite students to propose independent research or reading programs at any time during the year. The sponsoring professor can help the student craft such a project into a course taken for credit toward the religion major or minor program. All such independent study courses are designated under one of two course numbers, depending on the degree of challenge, and the specific title will appear on the student's future transcripts. Here are some recent examples:

• Native American Spirituality
• Methodist Book of Discipline
• Church of the Latter Day Saints
• Church of England Worship in Sixteenth Century London
• Israeli Judaism
• Religion and Society
• Religious Rites of Passage
• Homosexuality in Church and Society
• God and Gender

Academic Resources

• Academic Calendar
• College Catalog
• Course Schedules
• Academic Advising

Prospective Students

• Admissions
• Viewbook
• Virtual Campus Tour
• Request Information

Faculty Spotlight

Religion Professor James Lochtefeld brings Indian culture to life in photography show. Read more.

J-Term in Israel

Unearthing the Past. Annual study tour in northern Israel transforms Carthage undergrads into archaeologists.

J-Term in India

See a slideshow of photographs from Religion J-Term trips to India and The Himalayas.