Curiosity can change everything
Where will your curiosity take you?
If you're interested in asking deeper questions and seeking better answers, study religion or philosophy at the University of Illinois.
Apply to religion or philosophy at Illinois
If you're interested in asking deeper questions and seeking better answers, LAS has a major for you.
Philosophy teaches you to think rigorously, creatively, and flexibly about life's important questions. In a world where automation is on the rise, honing thinking skills is vital for pursuing diverse careers. Philosophy blends critical thinking from the humanities with logical reasoning from the sciences, enhancing your ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively. As a result, you'll be prepared to succeed in many fields—law, technology, media, public policy, science, and more—and contribute to public discussions. If you are interested in tackling modern questions related to philosophy in the digital age, check out CS + philosophy.
As a religion major, you'll examine the role of religion in shaping cultures, societies, and historical developments. You'll explore the diverse ways in which religious beliefs and practices intersect with key areas such as ethics, politics, literature, philosophy, art, and sociology. You'll gain a deeper understanding of how religion influences individual lives, social structures, and global issues, all while developing critical thinking and analytical skills that are valuable across many fields of study and professions. Just a few of the religions you can examine include Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
Hear from current students why you should choose the College of LAS:
Join LAS students Alyssa (atmospheric sciences), Caitlin (Spanish), Ryan (chemistry and political science), and Zahraa (sociology) as they explain their experience in LAS.
Explore the things that makes us human
"I couldn’t shake my desire to find out whether any of the ‘big’ questions—usually glossed over in high school—had answers, so I used my extra time in freshman year to take some intro philosophy classes. What I found was a brand new way of thinking."
Sanketh Bhaskar, Philosophy alumnus
Join us in the College of LAS
Meet religion and philosophy faculty
As a student at the University of Illinois, you'll take interesting classes with professors doing ground-breaking research. Learn a little bit about some of them.
Professor Williams
Specialty: African American Religion
Professor Saenz
Specialty: Metaphysics
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Visit us
Learn about life in the College of LAS at the University of Illinois through campus tours, info sessions, in-person visits, and more.