Religious Degree
COMMON REQUIREMENTS 21 Semester Hrs (including senior project/thesis)
Students pursuing the Major in Religious Studies must complete 21 hours of Major Requirements in Religion. This course work will include the following areas and semester hours: *
Biblical Studies 6hrs
Historical Studies 3hrs
Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics 3hrs
Studies in Religious Diversity 3hrs
Humanities Research Methodologies 3hrs
Senior project/thesis 3hrs
REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES 21 Semester Hrs
Biblical Studies 6 Semester Hrs
Select one course: 3hrs
REL 101 The Old Testament
REL 102 The New Testament
Select one course: 3
REL 301 History of Israel
REL 308 Old Testament Topics
REL 310 Israelite and Christian Writings Outside the Bible
REL 312 Jesus in the Gospels
REL 316 St. Paul: Ancient Biography
REL 318 New Testament Topics
Historical Studies 3 Semester Hrs
Select one course: 3hrs
HIS 210 European Renaissance and Reformation History
HIS 312 Twentieth Century European Cultural and Intellectual History
REL 221 The Rise of Western Christendom
REL 241 Christianity in America’s Past
REL 325 The Age of Reform: 1250-1550
Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics 3 Semester Hrs
Select one course: 3hrs
PHI 261 Introduction to Philosophy
PHI 262 Introduction to Ethics
PHI/REL 368 Philosophy and the Christian Intellectual Tradition
REL 264 Religious Education and Faith Development
REL 268 Topics in Philosophy. Religion and Story
REL 365 Philosophy of Religion
Studies in Religious Diversity 3 Semester Hrs
Select one course: 3hrs
HIS 323 History of Southeastern Native Americans
REL 253 World Religions
REL 255 Judaism, Christianity, Islam
REL 258 Ancient Cosmology
REL 288/388 Women and Religion
Research Methodologies and Senior Project/ 6 Semester Hours
Thesis Requirement
All majors in Religious Studies must complete a senior project or thesis. The faculty in Religious Studies must approve the topic and nature of this project/thesis by the end of the student’s first semester as a senior. Normally, the proposal for the project/thesis will be developed in conjunction with the divisional seminar in Humanities Research Methodologies, HUM 461, and will include a brief summary of the project, a bibliography and review of available literature in the topic area, and a statement of proposed methodology. The project or thesis itself should be completed by the tenth week of the semester in which the student plans to graduate, and presented in oral defense before faculty and students from the Humanities Division. Upon the approval of the faculty in Religious Studies, the student will be awarded credit for REL 490. No degree in Religious Studies will be awarded without completion of the senior project/thesis.
Required courses:
HUM 461 Humanities Research Methodologies 3hrs
REL 490 Senior Thesis 3hrs
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES 15 Semester Hrs
For the Major in Religious Studies students must also take 15 hours of religion and/or philosophy electives. At least 6 of the 15 hours must be at the 300/400 level.
Note: Religious Studies majors may not use courses with a REL prefix to satisfy Areas III A. or III D. of the general education core.
PHILOSOPHY and the RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJOR
Students who are particularly drawn to questions and issues of a philosophical nature can map out a philosophical focus area under the 36 hours of the Religious Studies Major requirements.
SPECIALIZED CAREER PATHS
Students wishing to pursue careers in Outdoor Ministries are encouraged to pursue the Major in Religious Studies with a minor in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education (see requirements listed under WLEE).
Students wishing to pursue careers in Religious Education are encouraged to pursue the Major in Religious Studies with a minor in Teacher Education.
Students wishing to pursue careers in Religious Counseling are encouraged to design a focus in Psychology and Counseling to augment their major. Courses appropriate to this focus area include the following:
PSY 220 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 230 Life-span Development
PSY 250 Introduction to Basic Counseling Skills
PSY 320 Therapeutic Principles and Practices
PSY 362 Personal and Group Environments |