Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Religious Studies - Major


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Students majoring in religious studies complete 36 hours in courses in the department. The major program includes courses in global religious traditions, spirituality in practice and reflection, words and images, religion and justice, and interfaith studies, dialogue and experience. The goal is for religious studies majors to develop mastery in the field. “Mastery” is understood to mean the acquisition, synthesis, and communication (oral and written) of knowledge about religion in general as well as about specific religious traditions (hereafter indicated as “religion(s)”).

Specific objectives for students who graduate with a major in religious studies are that they should be able to:

  1. Students will be able to identify and interpret religious and spiritual beliefs and practices as formed by diverse populations and cultures over time.
  2. Students will be able to identify and make use of major interdisciplinary theories, methods and concepts employed in the academic study of religion.
  3. Students will acquire skills needed for research, data interpretation, analysis of problems, critical thinking and communication regarding religion.
  4. Students will be able to analyze the role of religion in creating and ameliorating critical social issues that arise from racial, gendered, economic and environmental injustices.
  5. Students will be able to demonstrate interfaith and intercultural competencies that enable informed empathy with different perspectives and diverse populations globally and locally.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Religious Studies Core


Students majoring in Religious Studies must complete 36 credits in courses in the department from the following areas.

Foundation Course


Students must take the following course:

Global Traditions


Students must take three courses in Global Traditions from the following list, as well as two additional courses in any one tradition:

Junior - Senior Seminar


Students must take the following Junior - Senior Seminar:

Additional Elective Courses and Opportunities


Students are required to complete 1-3 courses to complete a total of 36 credits in Religious Studies. Courses may come from any of the categories above or from these additional courses.

Religious Studies Senior Experience


Students must complete the following Senior Experience:

Religious Studies Sample Program


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ENGW 101 Exposition   3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 PEQ (4) 3
RES.Q 101 Exploring Religion  /FYS First Year Seminar PEQ (1) 3 PEQ (5) 3
Foreign Language (1) with lab 4 Religious Studies course (2) 3
PEQ (2) 3 Foreign Language (2) with lab 4
PEQ (3) 3    
Health and Wellness 0    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
PEQ (6) - Science with lab 4 PEQ (8) 3
PEQ (7) 3 Religious Studies course (5) 3
Religious Studies course (3) 3 Religious Studies course (6) 3
Religious Studies course (4) 3 Integrative Studies (IS) - 2 3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 1 3 Elective 3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Religious Studies course (7) 3 Religious Studies course (9) 3
Religious Studies course (8) 3 Religious Studies course (10) 3
Elective 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Elective 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 3 3 Elective 3
    CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
RES 483 Religious Studies Internship I  or
Religious Studies course (11)
3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
RES 399 Junior-Senior Seminar in Religious Studies   (12) 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Elective 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
    RES 499 Religious Studies Comprehensive   0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15
 
* Note - at least 18 credits of electives or Integrative Studies (IS) courses must be Liberal Arts

 

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