Harvard’s concentration in the Comparative Study of Religion is a vibrant community comprised of dynamic, devoted students and the nation’s most distinguished teaching faculty in the study of religion.  Students interact regularly with faculty and graduate students who share their interests. The program provides students with an understanding of the religious traditions of the world through study of sacred texts and rituals; philosophy, literature and theology; and the lived experiences and history of participants in the tradition.  Courses engage life’s biggest questions including the meaning of life and death, humanity and divinity, good and evil, sacrifice and community.  Course work exposes students to central concepts in the field such as god(s), ritual, gender, authority, orthodoxy, scripture and prophecy.  Anthropological, historical, philosophical, phenomenological, sociological and literary approaches open religion to closer analysis and deeper understanding.

The Comparative Study of Religion is offered as both a concentration and a secondary field.