Department History

Department Timeline

Department Policies

<< back to About the Department

Timeline of Major Events
Compiled April 2001

Dec. 1978
A&S faculty recommend addition of a Department of Religious Studies. The resolution advocates a national search for a chair, and normal procedures for approval of curriculum.

1980
Search Committee for Chair of Department formed.

Aug. 1981
Jill Raitt hired as Department Chair.

Aug. 1982
Three more regular faculty added to department.

Aug. 1985
Fifth position added: religion in America.

Sept. 1985
Board of Curators approves degree program for BA in Religious Studies.

July 1986
BA program approved by Commissioner of Higher Education under authority of CBHE.

Dec. 1986
First BA in Religious Studies awarded.

WS 1992
First department meeting to plan MA program.

Aug. 1994
Sixth position: Sharon Welch from Women's Studies joins department.

WS 1996
MU Graduate Faculty Senate approval of plans for MA program.

SS 1996
MA proposal sent to CBHE by Chancellor and Provost.

WS 1997
Final approval of MA program by CBHE.

Aug. 1998
Seventh position in department: East Asian religions

Aug. 1998
First students enroll in MA program in Religious Studies.

May 2000
First graduate of MA program.

April 2001
Twentieth anniversary celebration in honor of retirement of Jill Raitt.

About the Department ·· Faculty ·· Undergraduate Degrees ·· Master's Program ·· Courses ·· Paine Lectures
Alumni and Friends ·· Hall of Fame ·· Events and News
Resources ·· Contact Us

copyright © The Curators of the University of Missouri
all rights reserved
last update: fall 2008

Web credits