DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES (REL)
Professor Russell T. McCutcheon, Chairperson
Office: 212-A Manly Hall
The Department of Religious Studies is engaged in the study of religion as an important element in human culture. Courses are designed to provide a student with an opportunity to study the religious traditions, practices, and ideas as an aspect of wider cultural practices. Students may select courses in religious studies with any of the following objectives in mind: general cultural electives; a liberal arts major in the bachelor of arts program; a liberal arts minor in the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science program; preparation for graduate study in religion or a related field.
Course offerings are structured so that students will encounter various aspects of the academic study of religion, and in accordance with the professional interests and abilities of the faculty. The following four areas indicate distribution requirements for the major and the minor in religious studies:
- Area One: Religion in Culture
REL 105, REL 213, REL 231, REL 234, REL 237, REL 305, REL 335, REL 341, REL 344, REL 370, REL 419, REL 480 - Area Two: American Religions
REL 124, REL 226, REL 235, REL 240, REL 241, REL 325, REL 371, REL 409, REL 419, REL 481 - Area Three: Middle Eastern and European Religions
REL 101, REL 110, REL 112, REL 223, REL 224, REL 228, REL 238, REL 311, REL 332, REL 346, REL 347, REL 372, REL 420, REL 482 - Area Four: Asian Religions
REL 208, REL 210, REL 220, REL 324, REL 333, REL 373, REL 483 - Any Area: REL 360, REL 361, REL 460, REL 461
Requirements for the religious studies major. The major in religious studies requires 33 hours:
- REL 100 (3 hours)
- REL 490 (3 hours)
- 3 hours from each of the four areas for a total of 12 hours
- 12 hours of REL electives at the 300 or 400 level (any area)
- 3 hours of REL electives (any level, any area)
A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.
Requirements for the religious studies minor. The minor in religious studies requires 21 hours:
- REL 100 (3 hours)
- REL 490 (3 hours)
- 3 hours from three of the four areas for a total of 9 hours
- 6 hours of REL electives at the 300 or 400 level (any area)
A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.
Requirements for the Judaic studies minor. The Department of Religious Studies offers a minor in Judaic studies. The Judaic studies minor is designed for the undergraduate who seeks a better understanding of the nature and development of Judaism and its contributions to the wider culture. Students may qualify for the major or minor in religious studies and the minor in Judaic studies provided there is no duplication of coursework.
The minor in Judaic studies requires 21 hours:
- REL 100 (3 hours)
- REL 110 (3 hours)
- REL 224 (3 hours)
- REL 238 (3 hours)
- REL 490 (3 hours)
- 6 hours selected from REL 223, REL 332, REL 346, and REL 347
A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.
A worksheet for major/minor requirements, a syllabus from each course in the department, and graduate catalogs are available in the Religious Studies Office in 212 Manly Hall and on the department's website.
With the permission of the undergraduate advisor, certain other courses in religious studies or in other departments may be included in the major or minor and in the prerequisites for advanced work. No foreign language is required for a major in religious studies beyond the foreign language/computer language requirement of the University Core Curriculum. Many graduate schools, however, require some language proficiency for admission. Students contemplating graduate work should consult the undergraduate advisor.