Nov 13, 2024  
2005-2006 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2005-2006 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 world religious traditions, theology and spirituality, sacred texts, ethics, and comparative studies.

The goal for our majors is that they develop mastery in the field of Religious Studies.  We understand mastery to mean the acquisition, synthesis, and communication (oral and written) of knowledge about religion in general as well as specific religious traditions (hereafter indicated as “religion(s)”).

The more specific objectives for any student who graduates with a major in Religious Studies are that s/he 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 of and about religion(s) in written form;

  • communicate concepts and ideas of and about religion(s) orally;

  • use computer technology to acquire and communicate knowledge about religion(s);

  • observe accurately and analyze plausibly religious phenomena;

  • 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 his/her understandings of religion(s) to issues of social concern and human welfare.

Students seeking to enter the Inclusive Education (Quadruple Certification Grades 1-9) program may major in Religious Studies.

Religious Studies Senior Experience


For the Senior Experience the student has three options: a portfolio (including three papers that represent the student’s best work and an integrative essay showing how work in the major has both enhanced and been enhanced by work in the general curriculum); a thesis; or a special project.  All three options include both written work and an oral presentation.


Religious Studies Core


Students majoring in Religious Studies must complete 36 credits in courses in the department from the following areas, including one Writing Intensive course in the major.

Foundation Courses


Students must take one course from the following list; all are Perspectives I courses:

Religious Traditions


Students must take three courses in religious 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:

Religious Studies Sample Program


Freshman Year


  • Modern Foreign Language Credits: 6
  • Math and Science Perspectives I Credits: 7
  • Other Perspectives I Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Religious Studies (200 level or above) Credits: 3
As well as:

Sophomore Year


  • Perspectives I Credits: 12
  • Perspectives II Credits: 3
  • Math or Science Perspectives II Credits: 3
  • Upper Division Religious Studies (200 level or above) Credits: 6
  • Liberal Arts Elective Credits: 6

Junior Year


  • Elective Credits: 9
  • Upper Division Religious Studies (200 level or above) Credits: 12
  • Perspectives II Credits: 6

Senior Year


  • Upper Division Religious Studies (200 level or above) Credits: 9
  • Elective Credits: 21
As well as:

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