Welcome to the Department
A learning community dedicated to the academic study of religion.
Who We Are
From the team behind YouTube's Religion for Breakfast, the Religion Department is an online community for learning about religion.
Great Religious Studies classes are transformative. They can expose you to completely different ways of thinking, reveal the subtleties of your own experience, and bring you into cutting edge conversations about the humanities and social sciences.
Not Religious Studies classes are boring, or sneakily promote a teacher's views. We offer online lectures and seminars that are designed for everyone, taught by leading experts in their fields. We want to make Religious Studies as accessible as it is fascinating.
Watch Dr. Andrew Henry talk about the Department or read more about our classes below.
Guest Lectures
We invite scholars of religion to explain important topics and present their latest research, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Our guest lectures go one level deeper than a typical YouTube video, like something you might hear in a university classroom. We feature leadings experts and cover a wide range of topics and methods.
45 min Lecture + 30 min Q&A
Free for Members 
Pay-What-You-Want for Non-Members
Live Access + Recording
Guided Readings
Not all religions have texts, but reading with an expert is a time-honored tradition. Our version is a casual livestream where scholars of religion lead you through sacred and critical texts. It's equal parts Religious Studies book club and video reading guide.
For our first book, Dr. Andrew Henry is leading a 52-week course on Religion in 50 Words. Andrew unpacks each short chapter with a live audience and connects them to his own research.
30 - 60 minutes
Free. Members only
Live Access + Recordings + Forum
Catch up or Drop In
Seminars
Our multi-week seminars offer deep, interactive learning in a professor-led community. Designed to fit your schedule and learning style, our seminars feature live lectures that are recorded and instantly uploaded to your class portal. Seminars offer a small group setting for learning directly from a scholar and forming a lifelong learning community.
- Weekly 90-min Lectures
Readings + Exercises + Professor-Led Forum
$200-$300. Members get 50% off- Lifetime Access includes Community
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Religious Studies?
How long will I have access to the seminar recordings and forum after they are over?
Can I purchase recordings of past seminars?
What is the time commitment for your classes?
Is The Religion Department a religious organization?
Who is behind the Religion Department? What kind of organization is it?
Kind Words :
"Thorn Mooney is a welcoming instructor who encourages contemplative discussion. Her teaching style allows students to engage in the topic with enthusiasm. We leave with a clear understanding of the material, as well as plenty of ideas for future study."
Irene P,
American Paranormal with Thorn Mooney
"This is exactly the class I’ve been looking for, for years. Better actually, with a skilled and accessible instructor, good pacing, easy to use medium and a reasonable price."
Josh G., Koine Greek with Dr. Chance Bonar
"Dr. Andrew Henry is both a world class scholar and an innovative communicator in the field of religious studies. If you love learning and want an intellectually rigorous yet accessible way to increase your religious literacy, you'll find no better place online than The Religion Department!"
Brandon F., Magic in the Ancient World with Dr. Andrew Henry
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