Religious Studies Major

Exit Interview

Revised July 2002

The exit interview is intended to give the department information about the abilities and levels of understanding you have achieved in this program. Candid and detailed answers will be most helpful to us.

Assessment Essay: You have been asked to write a second answer to a question given to you when you declared yourself as a religious studies major.

1. What do you see in comparing your answers, particularly in terms of writing skills and conceptual development?

2. Which specific courses - or texts- influences are most apparent in the second essay?

The following questions pertain to the objectives of the program in religious studies.

Goal: Students will demonstrate familiarity with more than one religious tradition and the ability to think about the category of “religion” comparatively.

3a. To what degree have you become familiar with more than one religious tradition?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Very

3b. How confident do you feel in your ability to think about the category of “religion” comparatively?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Very

3c. What specific courses enabled you to reach this level?

Goal: Students will acquire knowledge of a variety of religious expressions, including sacred texts, ritual and practice, law, architecture, diet, dress and other manifestations of a tradition.

4a. Have you gained familiarity with a variety of religious expressions?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         A great deal

4b. Which specific courses contributed to this level of familiarity and understanding?

Goal: Students will show an understanding of the reciprocal dynamics between religious traditions and such areas as society, ethics, politics, economics, gender, the environment, etc.

5a. Have you addressed the reciprocal dynamics between religious traditions and such areas as society, ethics, politics, economics, gender, the environment?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         A great deal

5b. Which specific courses contributed to this level of familiarity and understanding?

Goal: Students will develop an appreciation of diversity within particular traditions and how religious traditions change over time and within cultural contexts.

6a. Have you had the opportunity to appreciate the diversity within particular religious traditions?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Definitely

6b. Which specific courses have enabled you to develop these abilities?

6c. Have you had the opportunity to explore how traditions change over time and within cultural contexts?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Definitely

6d. Which specific courses have enabled you to develop these abilities?

Goal: Students will cultivate the following skills: a) close reading of texts; b) expository and other forms of writing; c) empathetic engagement with other perspectives.

7a. How confident do you feel regarding your ability to closely read texts and attend to details?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Very

7b. How confident do you feel regarding your abilities in expository writing?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Very

7c. How well are you able to empathetically engage with other perspectives or worldviews?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Poorly                                                 Adequately                                         Very well

Goal: Students will become familiar with a variety of methods and approaches in the study of religion; they will have opportunities to demonstrate or apply these approaches in their own research.

8a. How familiar are you with a variety of methods and approaches in the study of religion?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Not at all                                             Moderately                                         Very

8b. How well can you conduct research and argue in support of original theses?

1                            2                            3                            4                            5

Poorly                                                 Adequately                                         Very well

8c. Which specific courses have enabled you to develop these abilities?

General Questions:

9. Are there any courses that you would like to see added to the program’s regular offerings?

10. Are there any other changes that you would make in the program?

11. How do you anticipate making use of your abilities and experiences in the program in religious studies after graduation?