At Alma College, Religious Studies minors get more than just classroom lessons in theology. Professors in this minor teach lessons on topics from “patriarchy” to “queer/trans antagonism.”
A recent review by CriticalRace.org of Alma College in Alma, Michigan, raised concerns about the Religious Studies minor curriculum. Coursework in this minor addresses topics such as “imperialism” and other frameworks drawn from traditional communist ideology.
“Many people view religion in terms of beliefs, prayers, texts, communities and rituals,” states the program’s webpage.
“However, it can also be about bodies, money, power, the environment, death, family and gender. As a religious studies minor, you’ll…investigate how religion interacts with themes such as race, ethnicity, nation, diaspora, imperialism, borders and more.”
The webpage’s description of the program delves into more of the topics that are covered in the classroom.
Students in the program “reflect upon how systems of oppression — such as racism, colonialism, patriarchy and queer/trans antagonism — impact people’s lived experiences of religion.”
Alma College, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, is a liberal arts school founded in 1886 by the efforts of the Presbyterian Synod of Michigan. The college’s undergraduate enrollment remains close to 1,400 students, as the school touts a “forward-thinking philosophy that integrates academic excellence, real-world experience, and personal development.”
As part of the curriculum for the Religious Studies minor, students are allowed to pick from several progressive-leaning courses, such as one titled “The Good Life.” This course focuses on “ topics such as Black Lives Matter, Water is Life, Reproductive Justice, Disability Justice, and more.” More courses that are available to students in the minor include “Religion, Gender, and Sexuality,” and “Queer Religion.”
Unlike Alma, many Michigan state schools have felt the heat from the Trump administration and rolled back several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In March of last year, the University of Michigan shuttered its DEI office to “comply with federal standards.” Central Michigan University also changed its DEI policies, as its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was renamed to the “Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs.”
Institutions reliant on federal funding, particularly public universities, have been more affected by DEI rollbacks than private colleges, which often finance a larger share of their programs independently. Additional scrutiny of private institutions is necessary to address ideological bias and the continued influence of progressive ideas on college campuses.
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