A person majoring in religious studies might be preparing to be a member of the clergy, a church lay leader, or a teacher of religious studies. The purpose of religious studies is to seek to understand religion as an intellectual, historical, and cultural phenomenon. Big Bend's religious studies courses are designed to acquaint students with what members of various religions believe and why they believe what they do. Particular emphasis is placed on the basis for the major similarities and differences among religions and between denominations within religions.