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Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.07.07

Religious Studies

Director and Assistant Professor: Dr. Deitrick (Philosophy and Religion), 450-5592
Professors: Dr. Barnes (History), Dr. Brodman (History), Dr. Fox (Sociology), Dr. Frontain (English), Dr. Harvey (Philosophy and Religion), Dr. Mehl (Philosophy and Religion), Dr. Pouwels (History), Dr. Schedler (Philosophy and Religion), Dr. Shepherd (Sociology)
Assistant Professors: Dr. Crockett (Philosophy and Religion), Dr. Winden Fey (Division of Undergraduate Studies; Philosophy and Religion)
Instructors: Mr. Spivey (Philosophy and Religion)

[1] Purposes

The goal of the interdisciplinary religious studies program is to educate the undergraduate student with an understanding of the methods and subject matter of the study of religion. Generally, the program will serve the interests of liberal education by developing in the student the skills of careful and critical reading, writing, thinking, and speaking. More specifically, the program will provide a comprehensive and clear exposure to the variety of religious expression world-wide, a critical understanding of personal, social, and cultural dimensions of religion, and a thorough preparation for students who intend to pursue graduate or professional study.

A student who majors in religious studies will have a general knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the major world religions and an in-depth knowledge of at least one major religious tradition, will be skilled in the critical analysis of religion as a cultural phenomenon and in the ability to draw connections among different historical and cultural contexts of religion, will have a general knowledge of two different methodological approaches to the study of religion and an in-depth knowledge of at least one of these approaches, and will be well-prepared for graduate or professional study.

[2] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Arts

The degree of Bachelor of Arts, with a major in religious studies, requires successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) degree requirements, (3) major requirements listed below, and (4) a minor as worked out with the student's minor advisor. Majors and minors are encouraged to take RELG 1320 to satisfy their general education requirement in world cultural traditions.

[2.1] Major in Religious Studies (33 hours)

Core requirements (18 hours):

• Theory and Method: RELG 3301
• Asian Religious Traditions--one course from the following: PHIL 3352, RELG 3325, HIST 3303
• Western Religious Traditions--one course from the following: RELG 3335, HIST 3320, HIST 3321, HIST 4387
• Sacred Art, Ritual, and Literature--one course from the following: RELG 2332, RELG 2333, ART 2325, ART 3385, ENGL 3325 (readings: The Bible as Literature), ENGL 4341
• Religion, Culture, and Society--one course from the following: RELG 3315, RELG 3330, RELG 3340, SOC 4300
• Religious Thought--one course from the following: PHIL 3331, PHIL 4340, RELG 3320, RELG 3345, RELG 4320

Electives (15 hours) chosen from among all religious studies courses: ART 2325, 3385; ENGL 3325 (The Bible as Literature), 4341; HIST 3303, 3320, 3321, 4387; PHIL 2300, 3301, 3303, 3331, 3352, 4340; RELG 1320 or1330, 2332, 2333, 3315, 3320, 3325, 3330, 3335, 3340, 3345, 4320, 4330; SOC 3315, 4300. Courses taken as core requirements cannot satisfy elective requirements.

[2.2] The Undergraduate Scholars Program in Religious Studies

Students who major in religious studies and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the undergraduate scholars program. This program is designed to prepare the student for graduate work in religious studies. In addition to the courses required for a major in the area, the student must

1. Complete RELG 4300 Religious Studies Honors Tutorial;
2. Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA overall and a 3.50 GPA in the major;
3. Complete an honors thesis in conjunction with RELG 4300; and
4. Pass an oral examination on the thesis conducted by three faculty members.

[2.3] Minor in Religious Studies (24 hours)

Core requirements (18 hours):

• Theory and Method: RELG 3301
• Asian Religious Traditions--one course from the following: PHIL 3352, RELG 3325, HIST 3303
• Western Religious Traditions, one course from the following: RELG 3335, HIST 3320, HIST 3321, HIST 4387
• Sacred Art, Ritual, and Literature--one course from the following: RELG 2332, RELG 2333, ART 2325, ART 3385, ENGL 3325 (readings: The Bible as Literature), ENGL 4341
• Religion, Culture, and Society--one course from the following: RELG 3315, RELG 3330, RELG 3340, SOC 4300
• Religious Thought--one course from the following: PHIL 3331, PHIL 4340, RELG 3320, RELG 3345, RELG 4320

Electives (6 hours) chosen from among all religious studies courses: ART 2325, 3385; ENGL 3325 (The Bible as Literature), 4341; HIST 3320, 3321, 3303, 4387; PHIL 2300, 3301, 3303, 3331, 3352, 4340; RELG 1320 or1330, 2332, 2333, 3315, 3320, 3325, 3330, 3335, 3340, 3345, 4320, 4330; SOC 3315, 4300. Courses taken as core requirements cannot satisfy elective requirements.

[3] Courses in Religious Studies (RELG)

Follow this link for RELG course descriptions: course link.

[4] Other Courses in the Religious Studies Program (ART, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, SOC)

Follow this link for ART course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for ENGL course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for HIST course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for PHIL course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for SOC course descriptions: course link.