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Department of Religion

Contact Us

Department Chair

Dr. Peter Slade
Chair, Department of Religion
419.289.5237
pslade@ashland.edu
15 Rinehart 

Ashland, OH 44805

Administrative Assistant

419.289.5110
203 Bixler Hall
Ashland, OH 44805

Programs

Undergraduate
Degree Type: BA
Deepen and broaden your understanding of Christianity and World Religions.

When you study Religion at Ashland University, you will explore the fields of:

Biblical Studies Christian Theology History of Christianity Practical Theology Christian Ethics World Religions

As a Religion major, with the direction and guidance of your professors, you will...

Curriculum

Each department provides information specific to its majors and programs to help ensure you choose exactly which major is right for you. Use the supplemental material below to assist you in finding a major that most interests you.

Current Undergraduate Catalog

Course Rotation

Current Academic Year

Pre-Seminary

Pre-Seminary

Explore your faith and your calling

One important objective of the department is to help our students to enter seminary training and/or explore their calling to Christian ministry and service. If that sounds like you, you can join the pre-seminary group.

You will join with other Religion majors and minors, or minors in Religion or Christian Ministry. Every member is paired with one of the religion professors who will serve as a pre-seminary mentor.

Religion Department - Ministry - Seminary

In the Pre-Seminary group you will benefit from the close relationship between the Ashland University’s Religion Department, The Office of Christian Ministry, and Theological Seminary.

Ministry while a Student

We encourage everyone in the pre-seminary group to be active in campus ministries through the Office of Christian Ministry and/or your home congregation. You can even do an internship for course credit.

Seminary

In your junior year, you will be encouraged to take advantage of the close relationship between the department and Ashland Theological Seminary. You can apply to take seminary classes (subject to approval by ATS based on academic readiness) to fulfill general elective requirements of your BA. Our students often choose to study Biblical Greek or Hebrew to give them a headstart on seminary.

For additional information, contact Dr. Peter Slade (419-289-5237; pslade@ashland.edu).

Faculty

David Aune
Dr. David Aune
Associate Professor of Religion
10, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5238 / daune@ashland.edu
Department of Religion
Dr. Craig Hovey, Associate Professor, Director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence
Dr. Craig Hovey
Professor of Religion, Department Coordinator of Online and Corrections Courses
11, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5208 / chovey@ashland.edu
Department of Religion
Peter Slade
Dr. Peter Slade
Department Chair, Professor of Religion
119, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5231 / pslade@ashland.edu
Department of Religion

Mission & Objectives

WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR STUDENTS

Mission

The Department of Religion furnishes an appreciation of Biblical studies and the breadth of Christian thought for all graduating students. It seeks to help students become aware of how religious commitments and values continue to shape our world views and affect our ethics. It also seeks to be a learning environment for intensive and advanced work in religious explorations as a means of preparing students for graduate study and professional careers in churches and ministry.

Objectives of the Religion Department

  1. To furnish an appreciation of Biblical studies and Christian thought for all graduating students
  2. To provide preliminary studies for students wishing to do graduate work in religion
  3. To prepare students to enter seminary training, religious vocations and related social professions
  4. To provide courses of study for students who wish to teach religion in primary and secondary schools
  5. To provide courses of study for students who have interests in Christian involvement in community and churches
  6. To develop a basic knowledge of the Bible, as well as the reading and writing skills to engage and critically analyze the Biblical text and secondary Biblical studies writings
  7. To develop an overall understanding of the history of Christian thought and practice, as well as the reading and writing skills and historical tools to critically engage primary works in Christian history
  8. To develop a basic understanding of Christian systematic and historical theology and ethics, as well as the reading and writing skills to critically engage primary works in Christian theology and ethics
  9. To develop a familiarity with and appreciation for world religious traditions
  10. To integrate religious studies to life and vocation

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the main events and themes in the Bible.
  2. Analyze the Biblical text and secondary Biblical studies writings.
  3. Examine the history of Christian thought and practice.
  4. Identify major themes in Christian theology and ethics.
  5. Evaluate primary works in Christian theology and ethics
  6. Identify beliefs and practices in major world religious traditions.
  7. Integrate religious studies into life and vocation.

Ashland University was founded by the Brethren Church in 1878. The Religion Department has a close relationship with the church while maintaining a broad, non-sectarian approach to the study of Religion. For more about AU's religious identity and relationship with the Brethren Church follow this link.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Department Chair

Dr. Peter Slade
Chair, Department of Religion
419.289.5237
pslade@ashland.edu
15 Rinehart 

Ashland, OH 44805

Administrative Assistant

419.289.5110
203 Bixler Hall
Ashland, OH 44805

Programs

Programs

Undergraduate
Degree Type: BA
Deepen and broaden your understanding of Christianity and World Religions.

When you study Religion at Ashland University, you will explore the fields of:

Biblical Studies Christian Theology History of Christianity Practical Theology Christian Ethics World Religions

As a Religion major, with the direction and guidance of your professors, you will...

Curriculum

Curriculum

Each department provides information specific to its majors and programs to help ensure you choose exactly which major is right for you. Use the supplemental material below to assist you in finding a major that most interests you.

Current Undergraduate Catalog

Course Rotation

Current Academic Year

Pre-Seminary

Pre-Seminary

Pre-Seminary

Explore your faith and your calling

One important objective of the department is to help our students to enter seminary training and/or explore their calling to Christian ministry and service. If that sounds like you, you can join the pre-seminary group.

You will join with other Religion majors and minors, or minors in Religion or Christian Ministry. Every member is paired with one of the religion professors who will serve as a pre-seminary mentor.

Religion Department - Ministry - Seminary

In the Pre-Seminary group you will benefit from the close relationship between the Ashland University’s Religion Department, The Office of Christian Ministry, and Theological Seminary.

Ministry while a Student

We encourage everyone in the pre-seminary group to be active in campus ministries through the Office of Christian Ministry and/or your home congregation. You can even do an internship for course credit.

Seminary

In your junior year, you will be encouraged to take advantage of the close relationship between the department and Ashland Theological Seminary. You can apply to take seminary classes (subject to approval by ATS based on academic readiness) to fulfill general elective requirements of your BA. Our students often choose to study Biblical Greek or Hebrew to give them a headstart on seminary.

For additional information, contact Dr. Peter Slade (419-289-5237; pslade@ashland.edu).

Faculty

Faculty

David Aune
Dr. David Aune
Associate Professor of Religion
10, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5238 / daune@ashland.edu
Department of Religion
Dr. Craig Hovey, Associate Professor, Director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence
Dr. Craig Hovey
Professor of Religion, Department Coordinator of Online and Corrections Courses
11, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5208 / chovey@ashland.edu
Department of Religion
Peter Slade
Dr. Peter Slade
Department Chair, Professor of Religion
119, Rinehart Center for Religious Studies
419.289.5231 / pslade@ashland.edu
Department of Religion

Mission & Objectives

Mission & Objectives

WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR STUDENTS

Mission

The Department of Religion furnishes an appreciation of Biblical studies and the breadth of Christian thought for all graduating students. It seeks to help students become aware of how religious commitments and values continue to shape our world views and affect our ethics. It also seeks to be a learning environment for intensive and advanced work in religious explorations as a means of preparing students for graduate study and professional careers in churches and ministry.

Objectives of the Religion Department

  1. To furnish an appreciation of Biblical studies and Christian thought for all graduating students
  2. To provide preliminary studies for students wishing to do graduate work in religion
  3. To prepare students to enter seminary training, religious vocations and related social professions
  4. To provide courses of study for students who wish to teach religion in primary and secondary schools
  5. To provide courses of study for students who have interests in Christian involvement in community and churches
  6. To develop a basic knowledge of the Bible, as well as the reading and writing skills to engage and critically analyze the Biblical text and secondary Biblical studies writings
  7. To develop an overall understanding of the history of Christian thought and practice, as well as the reading and writing skills and historical tools to critically engage primary works in Christian history
  8. To develop a basic understanding of Christian systematic and historical theology and ethics, as well as the reading and writing skills to critically engage primary works in Christian theology and ethics
  9. To develop a familiarity with and appreciation for world religious traditions
  10. To integrate religious studies to life and vocation

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the main events and themes in the Bible.
  2. Analyze the Biblical text and secondary Biblical studies writings.
  3. Examine the history of Christian thought and practice.
  4. Identify major themes in Christian theology and ethics.
  5. Evaluate primary works in Christian theology and ethics
  6. Identify beliefs and practices in major world religious traditions.
  7. Integrate religious studies into life and vocation.

Ashland University was founded by the Brethren Church in 1878. The Religion Department has a close relationship with the church while maintaining a broad, non-sectarian approach to the study of Religion. For more about AU's religious identity and relationship with the Brethren Church follow this link.

Resources

Love God With Your Mind

Deepen and broaden your understanding of Christianity and World Religions in the Religion Department at Ashland University.

As a university rooted in Christian heritage, Ashland University offers opportunities to expand your religious understanding to put you on the path for fulfilling your calling

When you study Religion at Ashland University, you’ll explore the fields of:

  • Biblical Studies

  • Christian Theology

  • History of Christianity

  • Practical Theology

  • Christian Ethics

  • World Religions

Religion Department Differentiators

The Religion Department’s programs are academically rigorous, sensitive to issues of faith development, and focused on spiritual and moral formation—a perfect combination for preparing you for your calling to a life of ministry in the church or academy.

As a Religion student, you’ll:

  • Receive personal attention from dedicated faculty determined to helping you succeed
  • Benefit from small class sizes to facilitate your learning
  • Write a thesis in your chosen area of concentration with direction and guidance from your professors
  • Participate in thoughtful classroom explorations to deepen your understanding of Christianity and World Religions
  • Choose to study religion and travel to Israel, Italy and Germany
  • Undertake internships and service learning projects that integrate your studies, serving others in such places as churches, nursing homes, social agencies and non-profit organizations

Many department graduates have attended the Ashland Theological Seminary while others have chosen to pursue additional academic or professional training at Princeton Seminary, Oxford University, Emory University, Duke University, and elsewhere. A religion major or minor is also a perfect complement to any of Ashland’s other fields of study to help you become aware of how religious commitments and values shape our world.

Religion News

Scholar Shares How Not to Read the Bible: March 30-31, 2022

 J. Russell Hawkins, Professor of Humanities and History at Indiana Wesleyan University and author of The Bible Told Them So:How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy (OUP 2021), is coming to campus on March 30 and 31.
He will give a public lecture “When God Supported Jim Crow: Segregationist Christians, Civil Rights, and the Challenge of Orthodoxy in a Liberal Democracy” in the Trustees Room, John C. Myers Convocation Center, 7-8:30pm, Wednesday, March 30. The next morning he will lead a seminar with Dr. Slade's class REL340 Religion and the Civil Rights Movement, Classroom 230-231, Rybolt Sport Sciences Center, 10:50 - 12:05 which is also open to members of the campus community.These events are co-sponsored by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence.

...Read more

Thesis Presentation & Christmas Celebration

 AU students, faculty, staff, friends and family attended the Religion Department's Christmas Thesis Celebration in the Rinehart Center on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 to hear Ian Hamilton make a presentation on his thesis "The Dangers of Misinterpretation: Correcting Misconceptions about the Book of Revelation."
Following the fine presentation the assembled throng sang Christmas Carols. Mr. Hamilton wore a suit and tie. All wore masks.



...Read more

Religion Classes this Spring

REL106 Exploring the Bible - Six sections (M,W, F, 10,11; T,Th, 8, 9:25 (honors)12:15, 1:40 10:50) and one section online - core: Religion
There is a reason it is a best seller -- take this class and find out why for yourself.

REL107 Exploring World Religions - Two sections in a classroom (M,W, F, 9,1012, 1) and two sections online - core: Religion
REL109 Exploring Christian Ethics - One online section
Start thinking about the BIG ISSUES--immigration, homosexuality, justice, war, abortion, love-- in this essential class for sentient beings.
REL 213 Life and Letters of Paul (M,W,F 1 - 1:50) An examination with Dr. Aune of the life of Saul/Paul, author of much of the New Testament and arguably the most important figure in Christianity after Jesus. We make a careful study of relevant sections in the Book of Acts and the letters attributed to Paul, aided by useful secondary sources. We consider not only theological and social concerns addressed by Paul but also the ways in which his teachings apply to the contemporary world.
REL214 Christian Formation & Life Calling (T,Th 12:15)Dr. Neff says: Seriously . . . if you are serious about your faith and wish to explore what it means to serve God faithfully then this class is for you. Fulfills a ministry requirement in the Minor in Christian Ministry.
REL 220 Taking Human Life - Two Sections (M,W, F 8 & 9)- core: HumanitiesDr. Hovey says: Is it ever okay to take human life? If so, under what conditions? Many of the hardest contemporary issues in society and for religious communities are related to these questions, whether suicide, euthanasia, abortion, capital punishment, or warfare. Join us for an exciting yet also serious course examining these ethical issues from philosophical and theological perspectives.REL...Read more

Public Event: The Bible, Immigration Reform, and Vulnerable Families in Ohio

Support the Department of Religion

Make a donation to this departmentBy donating any amount you're making a big difference in our department's future. To designate your gift to the Department of Religion, select “Other” in the "Designated Options" and type the department's name in the associated box.