A major in religion leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of at least 30 credits from 10 courses including the following:
Introduction: One course introducing theory and method in the study of religion chosen from REL 100 or 210
Religious Traditions: Two courses introducing trends in the thought, practice, and/or significance of a religious tradition. At least one course must be chosen from each of two of the following religious traditions
Asian Religions: REL 131, 132
Christianity: REL 102, 151, 152, 250
Islam: REL 105, 281, 282, 283
Judaism: REL 101, 106, 271
American Indian Religions: REL 110, 285 (ANTH 285)
Cluster: A group of at least three courses proposed by students in consultation with their departmental adviser before the end of the junior year, cohering in such a way as to define and inform students' particular interest in a tradition, a topic or a method of studying religion. The cluster must include at least two courses from the Religion Department and may include up to six credits from two courses in other related disciplines or interdisciplinary programs (e.g., anthropology, art history, classics, English, history, philosophy, political science, sociology). Examples of clusters might include the following: Traditions of Scripture: REL 101, 102, 282, 335 Religion and Law: REL 282, 335, POL 236 Religion and Literature: REL 153, 272, ENGL 236 Religion in Classical Antiquity: REL 250, 350, CLAS 201 (LIT 201), 283 Patterns in Medieval Religion: REL 152, 215, HIST 305 Theology and the Future of Modern Secularization: REL 152, 203, POL 396, SOC 290 Science and the Modern Soul: REL 203, ENGL 252, PSYC 257
Students are encouraged to search the catalog and each term's list of topical offerings for courses related to their study of religion. Examples of other courses that may count for the cluster include, but are not exhausted by:
ARTH 140: Asian Art
ARTH 205: Medieval Art in Southern Europe
ARTH 206: Medieval Art
CLAS 201: Classical Mythology
CLAS 283: Late Antiquity
CLAS 288: Supervised Study Abroad: Rome and Ancient Italy
ENGL 236: The Bible as English Literature
ENGL 330: Milton
ENGL 252: Shakespeare
HIST 204: The Age of the Reformation
HIST 305: Seminar: Religion, Church and Politics in Medieval and Renaissance Society
POL 396: The Theological Political Problem
PSYC 257: Psychobiology of Development
SOC 290: Secularization and Religion
Additional credits in religion or other related disciplines to add up to 10 courses. A limit of two non-Religion courses will count toward the major including those in #3 above.
A minimum of 15 credits must be at the 200 level or above.
Senior Work: REL 399 and a maximum of three credits from a thesis, either REL 473 (3) or 493 (3-3)
HONORS: An Honors Program in religion is offered for qualified students; see department head for details.