Religious Studies: Degree Requirements

A major program consists of 30 semester hours of work in religious studies and related subjects. At least 21 hours must be taken in the department, and at least six hours must be taken in each of the three areas of emphasis. 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. This must include courses taken in at least two of the three areas of emphasis.

1. Biblical Studies Emphasis: RELS 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 321, 322, 323, 362, 404.
2. The World's Religious Traditions Emphasis: RELS 221, 222, 227, 240, 245, 335, 336.
3. Religion and Culture Emphasis: RELS 205, 235, 251, 271, 275, 341, 343, 352, 375, 450.

I.   Biblical Studies

• RELS 111: Hebrew Bible
• RELS 112: Hebrew Bible
• RELS 211: Old Testament History and Literature
• RELS 212: New Testament History and Literature
• RELS 311: Prophecy in Ancient Israel
• 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 227: Islam
• RELS 240: Italy: Heritage of Christianity (on location)
• RELS 245: Guatemala: The Quiche Mayan Indians (Service Learning 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

III.   Religion and Culture

• RELS 205: Introduction to Religion
• RELS 235: Issues in Ethics
• RELS 251: Literature of the Holocaust
• RELS 271: Women and Religion
• RELS 275: Liberation Theology
• RELS 341: Studies in Contemporary Theology and Theologians
• RELS 343: History of Christian Thought: Themes
• RELS 352: Religion and Literature
• RELS 375: Religion and Sexuality
• RELS 450: Internship

Courses for which no area is specified:

• RELS 481-482: Special Topics
• RELS 487-488: Departmental Honors I and II
• RELS 491-492: Independent Study
• RELS 497-498: Senior Project