Religious Studies
Internships and Experiential Learning
A well-rounded education in Religious Studies incorporates not only classroom learning, but allows students to tailor their education to focus on their interests and passions. The department offers students the opportunity to participate in pilgrimages and international travel experiences, as well as opportunities to create-your-own internship focused on community involvement and off-site service and experience. Some of our highlighted experiential courses and internships are below.
There are some prerequisites and requirements to participate in these opportunities. Additionally, scholarships are available.
Please contact the Department of Religious Studies for more information.
"Walking the Camino Pilgrimage,” students participate in a trip to Spain to walk the “Camino de Santiago” (“Way of St. James”), a medieval Christian pilgrimage route traveled by countless pilgrims for many centuries, ending in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. This course prepares students to make the pilgrimage in May in which they will travel approximately 160 miles on foot. The course covers topics related to the theology of pilgrimage; pilgrimage as a spiritual practice; the history and “spirit” of the Camino de Santiago; and both spiritual and practical preparation for undertaking such a trip. Going on a pilgrimage is different from tourism and similar types of cultural experience. Preparation beforehand is important and helpful to be able to enter the “mindset” or “spirit” of a pilgrim, so that the experience of pilgrimage itself might be more meaningful to the participants. This course helps prepare students for the spiritual and physical demands of such a pilgrimage.
This immersive study abroad course offers students the opportunity to learn about German-Jewish life, culture and history. Through a combination of collaborative group work, guest lectures, seminar discussions, historical site visits, cultural excursions, guided tours, musical performances, film screenings, meetings with local journalists and community members, students will learn about the past and present of Jewish life in Germany. Topics covered in the course include Jewish enlightenment and emancipation; crisis and creativity in the Weimar Republic; life under National Socialism; exile and postwar return to the two Germanies; antisemitism and responses; interactions among Jews, Muslims and other minority communities; competing narratives of Holocaust memory.
In conjunction with REL 540 (Ecclesiology) and REL 490 (a capstone course), University of Dayton students traveled to Rome to interact with delegates of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a key meeting shaping the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Students met Roman Catholic Church leaders, attended Pope Francis’ general audience, joined communal prayers and participated in discussions and guided tours. They were also part of a live question-and-answer session with Synod leaders.
Student Testimonial
Testimonial from undergraduate Joe Buten
Joe had the privilege to participate in a work-study program at the Dai Bosatsu Monastery in the Catskill Mountains.
“During my stay, I had the chance to live, eat and study as a monk in the Rinzai Zen tradition. My days consisted of a routine of silent meditation (sitting and walking), prayer and completing tasks around the monastery such as cleaning the meditation hall, tending to the monastic grounds, doing laundry, etc. Our general intention each day was simple, to practice cultivating mindfulness of the present moment at all times, regardless of the task. Living in mindfulness, aware of the fullness of each moment, everything can become an opportunity to enter into meditation; every act can be a prayer, an offering of gratitude to life, to God - and there were indeed moments of deep, still, silent peace as a result of the continuous practice of mindfulness. Over and over again, this process of returning to mindfulness, returning to resting in the present moment, took place. Overall, my internship at the Dai Bosatsu monastery highlighted the necessity of cultivating kindness, patience, compassion, and forgiveness towards ourselves and others so we may be best suited to be an instrument of peace in our daily life."
