<p>My D is a college freshman and we had a conversation about possible majors yesterday that made me realize that she and I have different views--stereotypes, perhaps--about different majors. Four that she is considering are (in alphabetical order):</p>
<p>History
International Studies
Political Science
Religious Studies</p>
<p>If all you knew about someone was that she majored in one of these subjects, what would you think (or suspect) about her as a person? Just curious whether you all are more inclined to share her views or mine (or neither).</p>
<p>History - future lawyer or academic, but also perhaps just someone who doesn’t know what they want to do after college (not necessarily a bad thing BTW)
International Studies - starry eyed want to change the world type, might end up at an NGO, might end up in law school, might end up in politics, might end up as a diplomat
Political Science - future politician
Religious Studies - future minister </p>
<p>That would just be my first thought, subject to change of course when I actually got to know the person. I had roommates majoring in 3 out of the 4 (no I.S.), but my younger son is planning an international relations major - seeing it as more oriented towards practical things than history which he has always loved. So far (he’s just a freshman) it’s looking like a good fit for him.</p>
<p>What happened to my roommates? The history major is a college professor. The Pol Science major (called Government at my college) had a business that went bankrupt and has been involved in various non-profit enterprises since then. The Religious Studies major is a Lutheran minister.</p>
<p>Maybe she wants to major is something she feels passionate even if it doesn’t lead directly to a career. That is what graduate school is for anyway, imo. </p>
<p>I majored in Poly Sci and did my DH. We both have Masters (mine are in Poly Sci and Public Policy and his is in Public Admin.) I worked as a lobbyist for non profits and he is in government. </p>
<p>My niece majored in Religion and Math at Kenyon and is a Cheesemonger. She loves what she does.</p>
<p>My D majored in Religion although she was certain she was not choosing it for the profession. It’s her dad’s work and she knows too much about it.</p>
<p>She remarks that every stranger she meets, young or old, begins to talk to her upon learning that’s her college major. Everyone has a thought, feeling or experience about that topic. </p>
<p>She’s has always been an excellent, active listener. Current work: entertainment as a circus/theatrical performer.</p>
<p>ETA: She often needs to inform people, early in the conversation, that she studied “all religions” and not just one. An academic undergraduate major in Religion is often mistaken for attending a seminary, which is quite another path.</p>
<p>I’d think that they’re working on building broad skills in thinking, communicating, and forging new understandings out of combining multiple sources. I’d anticipate that after they complete grad school in a specific discipline, they’ll be likely to rise farther and faster in their field than those who just studied that discipline.</p>
<p>I appreciate the comments. D. is passionate about certain things about each of these subjects and I suspect that what she actually ends up majoring in will be a function of particular classes that are offered in each of the departments over the next few years. </p>
<p>She is undecided about a career path but at this point has no plans to be a minister of any sort–her interest in Religious Studies is mostly about world religions, especially Islam, and how religion affects international relations. So maybe I should amend my question about the Religious Studies major to ask, what would you think of someone who majored in this subject but did not want to be a minister?</p>
<p>Gee, here’s what I think:
History: loves digging into what happened in the past, how our society/culture/political values evolved and how the past influences the present
Int Rel: Fascinated by interactions of govts and governing bodies- and the growth of universal governing principles
Pol Sci: similar to IR, but more specific to political ideals and the role of political parties and leaders.
Religion: Curious about man’s relationship with religion and various religions’ relationships with each other. May not be about his own religious views; may be more philosophical.</p>
<p>I suspect what you mean is: would we think less of a liberal arts major? My answer is no. I am suspicious of far easier majors- or kids who just go through the motions and never learn anything that challenges their minds or their perceptions and values.</p>
<p>But, I come from an academic family. And, my husband is aghast that D1 has declared as her major the same field he specializes in- because job opps are so competitive in that specific area. For her part, she intends to either go to law school or get an MBA. Either way, she intends to be rich and accomplished. Ah, the beauty of youth.</p>
<p>^ please see my ETA above, re: religion major.</p>
<p>If your daughter explained that to me, I’d think she could make a positive contribution to current world understanding. </p>
<p>Because i have some passing acquaintance with Religion majors and clergy of all faith, I tend to appreciate Religion majors as a variant of a Philosophy major. I assume they are very intelligent, able to synthesize many source readings, and have some intuition or sensitiblity about the Human Experience as well. </p>
<p>They also have to put up with claims of “useless major…” so that means they are plucky and courageous.</p>
<p>I’d also urge her to be open to generalizing and understand how religion shapes peoples’ lives in less politically-charged situations than our current desire to get a grasp on Islam. Beyond the year 2010, Religion is an organizing and motivating force for people around the globe, whether in a small village in the developing world or in a well-heeled congregation in an American suburb. She might start with the key issue you stated as her first motivation to major in Religion, but if the department is worth its salt it will enlarge her understanding of the academic field in more general terms. Is she also ready to read about Jonathan Edwards and the Puritans? You have to be very open-minded to major in Religion.
Good luck to her.</p>
<p>History: pre-law
International Relations: pre-law
Political Science: pre-law
Religious Studies: pre-law, but not yet out about it, even to him- or herself</p>
<p>If I met a liberal young woman who mentioned she had majored in religious studies- actually, I would think she was broad-minded and interested in world affairs, the role of religion in identity and the philosphical constructs and literature behind the religions.
If I met someone very conservative who had majored in rel, I would think they had chosen that major because religion plays a significant role in his/her life and the terrain felt comfortable.<br>
Assuming each was one smart cookie, I would be impressed. If either was shallow and apparently poorly educatd, I would be disimpressed, no matter what major they claimed.
In other words- it’s the smarts that count. And the active involvement in challenges.</p>
<p>One friend with a PhD. She teaches woman’s studies and religion at a private university and is a published author. Stayed in the field of academia.</p>
<p>my only thought would be that she’ll have a hard time finding a job. with majors like these, and others of the “liberal arts” persuasion, i subscribe to the view that a minor more directly related to employment is essential no matter what the future grad thinks s/he’ll do.</p>
<p>I disagree with toodleooo. The rel major with internships, research experience, contacts, community work, etc, will find a satisfying job easier than the kid with a job-oriented major but no resume. Intelligent liberal arts majors with solid analytical and thinking skills- and some resume- are valued by other intelligent folks.
Not that all potential bosses are necessarily that smart. That’s reality. But, not a reason to stunt your intellectual growth, as long as you garner valid experiences along the way.</p>
<p>Interesting list. I was a Religious Studies major, a hundred years ago. At the time I was thinking about either 1) Academia or 2) Seminary. I started seminary but decided for various reasons (mostly family related) not to finish.</p>
<p>What do I do now? I have two jobs: Information Technology at a university (full-time) and a Director of Christian Education (part-time). I get to use my analytical side for IT and my creative side too. I also find my liberal arts background helps when working with faculty (especially those in liberal arts) because I am literate and don’t use computer-speak. When people say “it’s Greek to me” as they struggle with technology, I can reply that we’re good since I studied Ancient Greek for several years. </p>
<p>My husband double majored in political science and history. He went to seminary and became a minister, and then later went to law school.</p>
<p>My daughter is a sophomore in college and is declaring International Studies with an emphasis on the Middle East. She’s interested in journalism but if that doesn’t work I could see her doing several other things (diplomat, NGO, law). She did an internship at a TV station this summer and also works for her college TV station.</p>
<p>My son is required to have 7 semesters of a language as part of his IR major. He’s studying Arabic. I figure that’s bound to make him useful to someone!</p>
<p>My stepdaughter has a PhD in Theology and is a New Testament scholar. She teaches at a major university and is following a passion she’s had since at least age 8 (when she used to give her father and me lectures on the Bible). She’s not particularly religious in practice but is more an intellectual theologian…</p>
<p>The common thread in all of these majors is they attract thoughtful and intelligent people. They all require rather keen analytical skills and excellent writing ability. Both of these attributes will serve her well in any future career.</p>
<p>DH is a very successful financial advisor and trader. He has a B.A. and M.A. in HISTORY! :)</p>
<p>I think with all of them, it just looks like someone who is intellectually curious and following something they are interested in. The one exception being ‘international relations’ which seems to be trendy these days, up there with ‘neuroscience’ and for some stupid reason, I tend to think it looks more instrumental and less intellectually driven than the others.</p>