The Religious Studies program offers courses in four areas:
- Biblical Studies and Sacred Texts
- Christian Traditions, Theology and Ecumenical Studies
- Comparative Religion
- Religious and Social Ethics
In addition to meeting the standards and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, degree candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credits in religious studies. Students may modify the major program only in consultation with a department adviser.
The Department of Religious Studies has recently revised its major of Fall 2009. Students who entered the program under the old major have the option of either completing the original requirements in effect when they first declared their major, or fulfilling the new requirements as outlined below.
View the College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum requirements »
Major Program Requirements
The curriculum for the religious studies program comprises three levels. Courses designated with an asterisk (*) are required for all religious studies majors.
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Level I:
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Introductory Level Courses (6 credits)
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Choose two of the following five courses: |
| RELS 1010 |
Religious Dimension of Life |
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RELS 1102 |
Introduction to the Bible |
| RELS 1104 |
Introduction to the New Testament |
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RELS 1202 |
Christian Belief and Thought |
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RELS 1302 |
Introduction to Catholic Theology |
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RELS 1402 |
World Religions |
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RELS 1502 |
Contemporary Moral Values |
| RELS 1503 |
Christian Ethics |
| RELS 1504 |
Faith and Justice |
| RELS 2411 |
Jewish Beliefs and Practices * |
| RELS 2415 |
Introduction to Islam * |
| RELS 2418 |
Buddhist World of Thout and Culture * |
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* Prerequisite: CORE 1101 |
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Level II:
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Advanced Level Courses (21 credits)
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RELS 2010** |
Methods in the Study of Religion and Theology |
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RELS courses numbered between 2100-3999 |
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** In consultation with their departmental advisers, religious studies majors complete the course in method (3 credits), and then choose four advanced courses (12 credits) from each of the four major areas of study. At least one of these courses must be at the 3000 level. In order to ensure depth of study, majors complete two additional advanced courses (6 credits) from one of the four areas of study, at least one of which must be at the 3000 level.
If RELS 2411 (Jewish Belief and Practices), RELS 2415 (Intro to Islam), and/or RELS 2418 (Buddhist World of Thought and Culture) are taken to complete the introductory level requirements, then they may not be applied toward the 21 credits of advanced courses |
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Level III:
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Seminar (3 credits)
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RELS 4010*** |
Religious Studies Seminar |
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***This seminar serves as the capstone for the religious studies program. Prerequisites are 75 credits overall, with 27 credits in religious studies (including RELS 2010). |
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