With an academic rather than a devotional approach, courses in the Religious and Philosophical Studies Department share the common goal of all Palmer Trinity Humanities courses: to better understand human beings. Essential to all department courses is a focus on multiculturalism and an empathetic study of others. As standard pedagogical procedure for the liberal arts, we encourage students to reflect actively upon the material they study. Courses in Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics utilize interdisciplinary methodologies such as historical investigation, social science and cultural studies, and critical textual studies to enable students to explore religion’s intimate connections with politics, economics, gender roles, racial dynamics, and the sciences. Students are required to take two semesters within the department, starting with the Foundations of World Religions course, to meet graduation requirements.