Religious Studies (BA/BS)

From antiquity to the present, religion has provided a vocabulary for individuals to confront ultimate questions about the meaning of life. Understanding the role of religion is critical for analyzing socio-political forces shaping the world. A major in religious studies provides training for any humanitarian profession. Recent graduates have gone on to study law, medicine, and journalism; work in social service organizations; and pursue graduate study in a variety of disciplines. The skills students hone as majors—critical reading, analytical thinking, and writing—along with knowledge of global religious traditions, serves them well in whatever career path they choose.

The Department of Religious Studies offers courses about the teachings and practices of the world’s major religions from an academic perspective. Courses focus on the history and philosophy of religions including their origins, sacred texts, rituals and practices, beliefs, and subgroups. The courses provide a broad understanding of the nature and role of religion in the world’s many cultures, present and past, for students in all fields, as well as integrated programs for majors in religious studies.

The religious studies department offers courses that reflect the research expertise of the faculty. Students can enroll in classes ranging from “Early Judaism,” to “The Dark Self: East and West,” and “War, Terrorism, and Religion.” Many religious studies seminars are small, limited to fifteen students, allowing for deep exploration of the material and low student to professor ratios. For a full list of regular course offerings, follow the “courses” link on the right.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Identify, describe, and explain a wide diversity of religious phenomena in their historical, social, political, and cultural contexts.
• Discuss diverse religious phenomena with others in a well-informed, critical, and respectful manner.
• Read and critically evaluate current scholarly literature on method and theory in the academic study of religion.
• Read and critically analyze primary and secondary sources from and about diverse religious traditions, applying appropriate theoretical and methodological tools in the academic study of religion.
• In speech and writing, make an effective and valid argument about religion: one that successfully establishes a premise and supports the premise with appropriate and persuasive evidence.

Courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with a mid-C or better.

Religious Studies Major Requirements

Additional Courses

Honors in Religious Studies

Requirements for a degree with honors in religious studies typically include the following:

1. Satisfaction of the requirements for a major
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.80 in courses taken to satisfy the major requirements
3. Formal approval of the department

The candidate for honors shall request approval no later than the second week of fall term in the senior year. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the undergraduate advisor before applying. Application forms are available in the department office.

A faculty committee supervises the honors thesis project. Candidates typically register for 3 credits of Research: [Topic] (REL 401) for both fall and winter terms of the senior year to prepare for writing the thesis. Contingent on satisfactory progress, the candidate then enrolls for 4 credits of Thesis (REL 403) spring term. A first draft of the thesis must be submitted six weeks before the end of spring term and the final draft two weeks after that.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies