What does the term 'religion' mean? Is it static, or does it mean a variety of things depending on the context in which it is used? The Religious Studies program offers courses that will introduce you to the academic study of religion and current theories of religion in the field of Religious Studies today. The academic study of religion is an essential part of modern discourses about a wide range of topics from politics to private family life. The courses offered in the Religious Studies program at UTEP will not only explore why the study of religion in culture is so important but they will also introduce you to how to engage with the challenges that 'religion' presents (and will continue to present) in past, present, and future societies. These challenges include how to read religious texts, how to analyze and engage with truth claims, and how to, generally, engage with religion in the public sphere (politics, social movements, revolutions, etc.).