Undergraduate Program
See Also: Undergraduate Catalog
The Department of Religious Studies offers a B.A. with a choice of two concentrations. The basic concentration in Religious Studies is developed around the basic skills and distribution requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences plus intensive concentration in the study of religions.
The major in Religious Studies is developed primarily with courses that also contribute to the general education of students taking an alternative major. Courses in our major are primarily comparative, historical, and philosophical in methodology, but address religions and religious concerns in North and South America, Africa, Middle-East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia, Japan, and Europe. Our majors achieve a comparative knowledge of religions studied in their distinctive historical and cultural contexts.
For the Masters Program through the Department of Philosophy, see Graduate Program page.
About the Program
The College of Arts and Sciences' fact sheet for Religious Studies majors including an overview of the program and a sample curriculum can be found here.
Religious Studies Majors
Majors will be required to take 27 hours, all of which must be at the 300 level or above, including Religious Studies 300; two courses from categories 1, 2, and 3; one course from category 4; and one 400-level course. The major shall not include related language courses. The two courses required in categories 1, 2, and 3 must be from two different subcategories within those categories.
- West Asia and Europe (choose one from two subcategories)
- Judaism – choose from 311, 312, 381, 385, 386.
- Christianity – choose from 321, 322.
- Islam – choose from 332, 333.
- Africa and the Americas (choose one from two subcategories)
- African Religions – choose from 302, 373.
- North American Religions – choose from 351, 355.
- African-American and African Diaspora Religions – choose from 352, 353.
- South, Southeast, and East Asia (choose one from two
subcategories)
- South Asia – choose from 313, 374, 376.
- Southeast Asia – choose from 376, 378, 382.
- East Asia – choose from 379, 380, 383, 384.
- Methods and Issues in Religious Studies (choose one)
- Choose from 301, 302, 305, 320, 342.
Details regarding the major and religious studies courses are available in the departmental office, located in 501 McClung Tower, or from any member of the religious studies faculty.
Minor in Religious Studies
The minor consists of 15 hours of courses at the 300 level or above, not including related language courses. It is recommended that students minoring in religious studies discuss their program with a faculty member in the department.