Philosophy and Religion, B.A.; Major in Global Religions and Cultures

Program Description

The Global Religions and Cultures major empowers students to analyze diverse worldviews, traditions and value systems. In a world that is increasingly pluralistic, ideologically driven and globally connected, skills in cross-cultural understanding and the interpretation of complex data are more important than ever. Students of many different religious identities, and none, thrive in our courses.

Our students apply the Global Religions and Cultures major to a wide variety of career fields, including business, law, education, health, intelligence analysis, non-profit leadership and more. Employers highly value the practical skills that our students cultivate in analytical writing, articulating nuanced and evidence-based arguments, and engaging with perspectives that are different from their own. The capstone seminar rigorously trains students in research methods, critical thinking, presentation and communication skills, digital information literacy, and ethics. Our students excel in graduate school.

Degree Requirements

Degree and Major Requirements

Degree Requirements	Credit Hours
General Education 1	41
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2	0-12
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3	3
Major requirements	33
University electives	31-43
Total	120

¹

The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some requirements may be fulfilled by courses within the major, such as PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy and REL 101 Religions of the World.

²

The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student's chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures' placement test.

³

PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy may fulfill this requirement, if not being used for General Education credit.

Major Requirements

The Global Religions and Cultures major requires 33 credit hours, including three core courses and one capstone seminar. Students majoring in Global Religions and Cultures have the opportunity to create their own custom concentrations, if they choose, by completing four or more courses in a focused area of study. For example, students might choose to concentrate in Christian Studies, Indian Religions, Religion in Africa, Religion and Society, Spirituality and Health, Pre-professional Studies, or another concentration they create with support from their faculty advisor.

Because the academic study of religion is interdisciplinary, students may apply up to six credit hours of coursework from other departments toward the major if the courses include a substantial focus on religion, with approval from the faculty advisor. Our students often double major in Global Religions and Cultures as well as another field such as communication studies, health sciences, intelligence analysis or public policy. Students may add the major in Global Religions and Cultures at any time during their undergraduate career.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
PHIL 101	Introduction to Philosophy [C2HQC]	3
REL 101	Religions of the World [C2HQC]	3
Subtotal		6
Major Requirement
REL 200	How to Study Religion and Spirituality	3
Subtotal		3
Elective Requirements
Students choose 21 credits of REL electives. Students can create their own custom concentrations, if they choose, by completing a minimum of 12 credit hours in a focused area of study (see below for more information). 1		21
Subtotal		21
Capstone Requirement
Students majoring in Global Religions and Cultures must complete one of the following capstone courses. Typically, one capstone is offered per semester. Most students take their capstone course in their junior or senior years.		3
REL 420	Controversies in Religion
REL 430	Islam and the Nature of Being
REL 440	Religion and American Culture
REL 450	Religion and Society
REL 460	Topics in Ancient Jewish and Early Christian Literature
REL 470	Women's Experience and Global Christianity
REL 488	Buddhism in the Modern World
Total Credits		33

¹

Up to six credit hours of elective requirements may be fulfilled by courses from other disciplines (non-REL-prefix courses) if the courses include a substantial focus on religion, with approval from the faculty advisor.

Custom Concentrations

Students majoring in Global Religions and Cultures have the opportunity to create their own custom concentrations, if they choose, by completing four or more courses (12 credit hours minimum) in a focused area of study. For example, students might choose to concentrate in Christian Studies, Indian Religions, Religion in Africa, Religion and Society, Spirituality and Health, Pre-professional Studies, or others that they create. Students may create any concentration name they choose. Faculty advisors support students in designing custom concentrations based on their interests.

We encourage every student, whether or not they declare a concentration, to develop breadth of expertise by studying at least two different religious traditions or cultural regions over the course of their Global Religions and Cultures major.

Recommended Schedule for Majors

The following outline is a sample four-year program. The actual courses and sequence a student takes may vary. Students may declare a major in Global Religions and Cultures at any point in their careers.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year		Credits
REL 101	Religions of the World [C2HQC]	3
One additional Religion course		3
General Education requirement		15
B.A. requirements / University Elective(s)		9
	Credits	30
Second Year
PHIL 101	Introduction to Philosophy [C2HQC]	3
Two additional Religion courses		6
General Education requirement		12
B.A. degree requirements / University Elective(s)		9
	Credits	30
Third Year
REL 200	How to Study Religion and Spirituality	3
Two additional Religion courses		6
General Education requirement		15
B.A. degree requirements / University Elective(s)		6
	Credits	30
Fourth Year
Religion capstone course		3
Two additional Religion courses		6
B.A. degree requirements / University Elective(s)		21
	Credits	30
	Total Credits	120