Oct 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate 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 cross-cultural and interfaith awareness, ethics and social justice, and spiritual wisdom and well-being.

The goal is for religious studies majors

  • to interpret religious and spiritual beliefs and practices as formed by diverse populations and cultures;
  • to make use of theories and concepts employed in the academic study of religion;
  • to acquire skills needed for research and critical thinking regarding religion;
  • to recognize the role of religion in creating and ameliorating social issues such as racism, sexism, and colonialism;
  • to demonstrate interfaith and intercultural competencies to build informed empathy with different perspectives and diverse populations;
  • to draw from contemplative practices to facilitate self-awareness and wellbeing in their individual and relational lives.

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:

Capstone Course


Students must take the following Capstone Course:

Additional Elective Courses and Opportunities


Students are required to complete up to 4 additional 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 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 the World’s Religions  /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
DEIB designated course 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 498 Social Justice, Self-Discovery, and the Ripple Effect  (12) 3 Liberal Arts Elective 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Elective 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Elective 3
Elective 3 Elective 3
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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