Religious Studies: Degree Requirements

A major program consists of 31 semester hours of work in religious studies or related subjects. RELS 205 and RELS 401 are required, at least 22 hours must be taken in the department, and at least six hours must be taken in each of the three areas of emphasis. RELS 205 should be taken in a student’s first or second year. RELS 401 must be taken in the spring of a student’s senior year. However, religious studies majors who are minoring in Education may take RELS 401 in the spring of their junior year. An exit interview with department faculty is required of all majors in the spring semester of the senior year.

A minor program consists of 15 semester hours of work in the department. RELS 205 is required. The remaining 12 semester hours must come from courses taken in at least two of the three areas of emphasis.

1. Biblical Studies Emphasis: RELS 111, 112, 210, 211, 212, 215, 217, 273, 311, 312, 321, 322, 323, 362, 404
2. The World's Religious Traditions Emphasis: RELS 221, 222, 223, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 240, 243, 245, 247, 248, 335, 336, 381: Early Christianity (J-term 2014 only) 
3. Religion and Culture Emphasis: RELS 235, 237, 251, 260, 262, 271, 274, 275, 341, 343, 352, 375, 384, and HONR 289 

I.   Biblical Studies

• RELS 111: Biblical Hebrew
• RELS 112: Biblical Hebrew
• RELS 210: Introduction to the Bible
• RELS 211: Old Testament History and Literature
• RELS 212: New Testament History and Literature
• RELS 215: The Bible and Film
• RELS 217: The Bible in America
• RELS 273: Women in the Bible 
• RELS 311: Prophecy in Ancient Israel
• RELS 312: Biblical Short Stories
• RELS 321: Life and Teachings of Jesus
• RELS 322: Life and Letters of Paul
• RELS 323: Book of Revelation
• RELS 362: The Johannine Literature
• RELS 404: The Dead Sea Scrolls and The Origin of Christianity

II.   The World's Religious Traditions

• RELS 221: World Religions: Indian, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese
• RELS 222: World Religions: Judaic, Christian, Islamic
• RELS 223: Hinduism: History, Teachings, Practice
• RELS 225: Buddhism: History, Teachings, Practice
• RELS 227: Islam
• RELS 228: New Religious Movements
• RELS 229: Native American Religions 
• RELS 230: Judaism
• RELS 231: Christianity
• RELS 240: Italy: Heritage of Christianity (Study/Travel course)
• RELS 243: Reformation and Counter Reformation (Study/Travel course)
• RELS 245: Guatemala: The Quiche Mayan Indians (Service Learning Travel Course)
• RELS 247: Israel/Palestine: Land, People, and Religions (Study/Travel course)
• RELS 248: Religions of Japan: Land of Kami, Land of Buddhas (Study/Travel course)
• RELS 335: History of Christianity from the Early Church to the Protestant Reformation
• RELS 336: History of Christianity from the Protestant Reformation to the Present
• RELS 381: Early Christianity (J-term 2014 only) 

III.   Religion and Culture

• RELS 235: Religious Ethics
• RELS 237: Christian Ethics
• RELS 251: Literature of the Holocaust
• RELS 260: Religions and the Natural Environment
• RELS 262: Religion and Science
• RELS 271: Women and Religion
• RELS 274: Women and Christianity 
• RELS 275: Liberation Theology
• RELS 341: Contemporary Theology and Ethics
• RELS 343: Civil Religion and Public Theology
• RELS 352: Religion and Literature
• RELS 375: Christianity and Sexuality
• RELS 384: Contemporary American Religion
• HONR 289: Religion and the Founding Fathers 

Courses for which no area is specified:

• RELS 205: Introduction to Religion (required of all religious studies majors and minors)
• RELS 401: Religious Studies Capstone (required of all religious studies majors; optional for religious studies minors)
• RELS 450: Internship 
• RELS 481-482: Special Topics
• RELS 487-488: Departmental Honors I and II
• RELS 491-492: Independent Study
• RELS 497-498: Senior Project