Religious Studies Program Requirements

Curriculum

Departmental offerings include courses which:

• center on the historical development of religious ideas, movements, and institutions;
• center on analysis of religious thought and behavior;
• examine primary religious texts and literature
• explore the role of religion in society.

The Religious Studies Department offers the following concentrations for those interested in a major or minor in the discipline:

• General Religious Studies—with an emphasis on the methods used in the academic study of religion from global and national perspectives;
• World Religions—with an emphasis on knowledge of the various religious traditions, both Eastern and Western;
• Roman Catholic Theology—with an emphasis on the methods and sources of Roman Catholic theology.

Many students combine a religious studies program with other fields such as history, gerontology, communications, business, education, psychology, political science, philosophy, literature, sociology, anthropology, languages, or international studies.

Major in Religious Studies

Majors in the field choose 10 courses offered by the Department in consultation with a departmental faculty advisor for a total of 30 credits in Religious Studies.  Four of the courses must be at the 300 level or higher, including REST496—Independent Study. Six of the courses must be completed in one of the concentrations listed above.

Minor in Religious Studies

Prospective minors, with the assistance of a departmental advisor, plan a series of courses totaling 18 credit hours in one of the areas of concentration listed above.