Religion Studies B.A.

Total Semester Credit Hours = 120

The Religion Studies program provides a secular study of religion and religious practice, beliefs, history, and culture. The degree will examine the world’s religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Buddhism, or Islam using the tools of other academic fields including philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology, music and art. Courses will not only examine various religions and comparative belief systems, but look at such issues as the paradoxical nature of religion, atheism, religion and politics, role of ritual, naturalistic religions, etc. While this program is not designed for clerical careers, students wishing to go onto theological study may find this minor excellent preparation.

Degree Requirements

No grade below a "C" in major courses will be accepted toward the degree.

University Core Curriculum (44 hrs.)

Completion of the following required courses:

RELI 1301Introduction to Religion and Society

RELI 2350Major Religious Thinkers

PHIL 4330Comparative Religious Philosophy

RELI 4353Religious Texts

Complete a minimum of 15 hours from the list below:

Western Religions (3 hrs.)

ANTH 3330Cultural Anthropology

Non-Western Religions (6 hrs.)

RELI 3310Introduction to Judaism

RELI 3320Introduction to Islam

RELI 3340Asian Religions

RELI 3343Introduction to Buddhism

Religious Texts (3 hrs.)

RELI 4353Religious Texts

RELI 4353: repeated when texts change

Religious History (3 hrs.)

ART 4350Early Christian and Byzantine Art

RELI 3350Topics in Religion and Politics

HIST 3353Reformation Europe

HIST 3354Medieval Europe

Complete 9 hours of electives from below:

ANTH 3330Cultural Anthropology

RELI 3350Topics in Religion and Politics

RELI 4360
Special Topics

SPCM 4333Religious Communication

RELI 4360: may be repeated when topics change

At least four semesters of a single foreign language or the demonstration of equivalent competency.

The student may also complete this requirement by passing a written examination approved by the foreign language faculty

Electives to complete 120 hrs. for the baccalaureate degree.