Department of Religious Studies
Chairperson: Professor Meyer; Issac Swift Professor
of Judaic Studies: Cohen; Associate Professors: Gestwicki,
Getz, St. Clair, Tabor, Thomas, White; Assistant Professors:
Johnson; Lecturer: Johnston
Religious Studies is an inquiry into the fundamental stories,
myths, symbols and practices by which we as human beings have
attempted to make sense out of ourselves and the worlds in which
we live. Besides offering courses in Eastern and Western, ancient
and modern religious traditions, the Department offers a number
of courses that explore religious meaning in a variety of creative
ways, through the study of myth and symbol, art and language,
film and dreams. Attention is given to a wide range of attempts
to deal with the ultimate questions about the nature of the cosmos,
the nature of human beings, and the origins and destiny of human
life. This wideranging emphasis places religious studies in dialogue
with all the methods and disciplines of the liberal arts. The
Department of Religious Studies makes an explicit commitment to
free, nondogmatic inquiry into religion from a pluralistic and
crosscultural perspective.
Most students major or minor in religious studies to gain a broad
liberal arts education. With the flexibility of the program and
its relationship to other areas of the University, students can
meet the specific objectives of Religious Studies while taking
a wide range of courses in other departments. Some students relate
religious studies to definite vocational plans, often requiring
further education in professional and graduate schools.
BACHELOR OF ARTS
A student may satisfy the requirement for the religious studies
major leading to the B.A. degree after completing either of the
following programs:
- Course Program in Religious Studies. This option requires
31 semester hours in religious studies courses, including RELS
2101 (Introduction to Western Religious Thought), 2102 (Introduction
to Asian Religions), 2600 (Orientation to the Major), and 3600
(Senior Seminar); five 3000-level or above courses (two in the
academic study of a single religious tradition, one from a second
tradition, and two in religion and modern culture); and at least
two elective courses. Lists of courses appropriate to each of
these categories are available in the departmental office.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Religious Studies. This
option is intended to provide a course of study which will make
maximum use of the interdisciplinary aspects inherent in religious
studies. After several courses in religious studies, a student
may submit, after consultation with his or her adviser, a proposal
for a program of study for the junior and senior years. If the
proposal is approved by the Department, the student will satisfy
the requirement for a major in religious studies by completing
the approved program rather than by taking any specified number
of religious studies courses. This is not an honors program, and
any student may submit a proposal to the Department. A detailed
description of this program may be obtained from the office of
the Department of Religious Studies.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES MINOR
A minor in religious studies consists of a minimum of 15 hours,
with at least two courses at the 3000 level or above. With the
help of an adviser in Religious Studies, the student will select
courses in at least two different areas of the discipline. Students
are encouraged to take RELS 2600 and RELS 3600, though they are
not required.
[COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES]