Religious Studies B.A.

The preparatory course ensures that students are introduced to the academic study of religion and understand how it is different from what they may have experienced in their own families or religious institutions.

These two courses must focus on two different religious traditions, which are different from a student's area of concentration chosen in the sub-plan.

The capstone gives majors the opportunity to research a specific topic in greater depth than is possible in a normal semester. Students should select a topic that relates to their area concentration. Students in the Text and Traditions option should include a language/translation component in their project. Projects are developed independently under supervision of a faculty advisor selected by the student.

The program strongly recommends that students complete RELS 3001W at least one semester before enrolling in RELS 4993. Enroll in RELS 4993 for 4 credits, or enroll in RELS 4993 for one credit concurrent with an advisor-approved upper-division course for a combined 4 credits. Students who double major within CLA and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other CLA major may waive the Religious Studies BA capstone, but they need to replace it with an upper-division RELS elective of at least 3 credits.

Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.

The Track I: Religion, Culture, and Society sub-plan requires a minimum of 18 credits. Students who choose this sub-plan will take a minimum of 34 credits toward the Religious Studies BA.

This track is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to study religion broadly and pursue a highly contextualized investigation of religion as a social and cultural force. It serves students who are drawn to the methodologies of the humanities, social sciences, and the arts. It serves students who are motivated by questions of expression, psychology, religious thought and practice, as well as public and social policy, and the political contexts and ramifications of religion. It prepares students for many careers serving diverse communities in public arenas, as well as for graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.

Students must select six courses from the electives list to fulfill the Contexts of Religious Life category and the Area of Concentration category.

Take 6 or more credits focusing on the contexts of religious life and 12 or more credits in an area of concentration. Students in this sub-plan have developed concentrations in many areas, including religion, human rights, and social justice; religion and gender; religion and politics in the U.S.; religion and art, religion in the U.S.; Muslim, Christian, and Jewish relations; religious violence, and many others.

The Track II: Texts and Traditions sub-plan requires a minimum of 12 credits. Students who choose this sub-plan will take a minimum of 34 credits toward the Religious Studies BA.

This track is designed for students interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of a particular religious tradition by studying the untranslated foundational texts of the chosen tradition. This track prepares students for many careers serving diverse communities in public arenas, as well as for graduate study in a variety of fields or seminary programs. It is particularly recommended for students seeking in-depth study of Judaism, Islam, or Christianity, or the study of the traditions and texts of the religions of South or East Asia, whether in their countries of origin or in diaspora.

This track requires that students gain proficiency in a language appropriate to the specific religious tradition and its sources. Students must complete at least one course at the fourth semester or beyond with a grade of C- or better.

Students with advanced or native language ability who can demonstrate proficiency through a Language Proficiency Exam (LPE) or other equivalent exam may substitute additional Area Concentration or Religious Traditions courses in lieu of the language courses to meet the 34 credit minimum for the Religious Studies B.A.