Students majoring in religious studies complete 36 hours in courses in the department. The major program includes courses in world religious traditions, theology and spirituality, sacred texts, ethics, and comparative studies.
The goal is for religious studies majors to develop mastery in the field of religious studies. “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:
•Demonstrate fundamental factual and theoretical knowledge in required areas of study in the major: world religions, theology and spirituality, sacred texts, ethics, and comparative studies.
•Acquire factual knowledge about religion(s) and understand that this must be a continual process in a career in religious studies.
•Read and understand scholarly literature in the field of religious studies.
•Communicate concepts and ideas concerning religion(s) in written form.
•Communicate concepts and ideas concerning religion(s) orally.
•Use computer technology to acquire and communicate knowledge about religion(s).
•Observe religious phenomena accurately and perform plausible analyses.
•Understand and apply a taxonomy of characteristics of religion.
•Understand and appreciate the perspectives of a variety of academic disciplines upon religion(s).
•Appreciate the history of, and major debates within, the field of religious studies.
•Appreciate the fact and value of religious diversity.
•Apply their understandings of religion(s) to issues of social concern and human welfare.
Students also have the option to double major in religious studies and inclusive childhood/middle childhood education to achieve teacher certification.
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