Academics

For more information about the Major or Minor in Religion, or to discuss declaring the Major or Minor, please contact Professor Richard Layton, the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

To see video introductions from our faculty, see here.

John Kerry: 'We ignore the global impact of religion at our peril' 

Areas of Study Include:

  • Buddhism
  • Christianity
  • Hinduism
  • Islam
  • Judaism
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Religion in America
  • Individually designed area of study approved by departmental advisor

Undergraduate Major Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of Religion courses including the courses described below. Any course used to fulfill one requirement cannot be applied to another area (e.g., Distribution courses cannot be applied to Primary Area, etc.), with an exception for the capstone requirement which can fulfill up to two requirements simultaneously. At least 15 of the 30 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level, and no more than 9 hours may be at the 100 level. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.

Students considering graduate study in Religion are urged to consult with professors on the necessary preparation for graduate study in their area(s) of interest.

Core Courses Credit Hours
PHIL 230/REL 230 – Philosophy of Religion or REL 231 – Religion and Philosophy 3
Distribution Requirement: Courses taken must include:

  1. Two courses in the following: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or religious practices of the ancient Near East, chosen from a list of courses maintained in the departmental adviser’s office and

  2. Two courses in the following: Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese Religions, or Indigenous American religious practices, chosen from a list maintained in the departmental adviser’s office.

 12
Three courses in a primary area of study: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Philosophy of Religion, Religion in America, or an individually designed area of study approved by the departmental advisor 9
Two courses in a secondary area of study (different from the primary area of study) 6
Capstone Experience: a 400-level REL course in which a research project is undertaken and a 20 page research paper is written. This course can be REL 493 and can also fulfill the distribution or primary or secondary area of study requirement. (Note: This course can simultaneously fulfill another requirement)

3

 

Undergraduate Minor Requirements

The Minor in Religion is designed to give students the opportunity either to gain a broad knowledge of a number of religious traditions or to emphasize one field in the academic study of Religion. Completion of the minor requires 6 courses (18 credit hours) selected by the student in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. At least 6 hours should be at the 300- or 400-level and no more than 6 hours at the 100-level will be counted for the minor.