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Religious Studies

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The academic study of religion provides the student with the methodological orientation necessary to comprehend the central beliefs, ethical practices, ritual systems, and social institutions of diverse religious traditions in their historic, contemporary and global contexts. Study in this field is multicultural and comparative, examining the patterns of life and moral worlds of societies past and present, our own as well as others. The student learns to probe for the structure, function and meaning of religion through those rites of passage, sacred narratives, faith communities, and codes of behavior that give meaning to human existence.

Major and Minor Requirements in Religion

The major in religious studies requires a minimum of 31 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. At least 16 hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above, with at least 4 hours at the 400-level. A minor or second major is required.

The minor in religious studies requires a minimum of 24 hours. At least 12 hours must be taken in courses numbered 300 or above. 

Major

Minor
For students entering prior to fall 2014, see iCap for requirements For students entering prior to fall 2014, see iCap for requirements
I. Explorations (6 hours)  I. Explorations  (6 hours)
           RELS 100: The New Testament            RELS 100: The New Testament
                              OR                                         OR
           RELS 101: The Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures                       RELS 101: The Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures           
                             AND                             AND
           RELS 102: Introduction to Religion            RELS 102: Introduction to Religion
 II. Religious Traditions (9 hours; at least one course  II. Religious Traditions (9 hours; at least one course 
      from each category)        from each category)
                        Category A:                      Category A:
           RELS 302: Buddhism            RELS 302: Buddhism
           RELS 303: Hinduism            RELS 303: Hinduism
           RELS 317: Confucianism            RELS 317: Confucianism
           RELS 318: Daoism            RELS 318: Daoism           
                       Category B:                       Category B: 
           RELS 304: Judaism            RELS 304: Judaism
           RELS 305: Christianity            RELS 305: Christianity          
           RELS 306: Islam             RELS 306: Islam 
 III. Senior Seminar (1 hour)  
           RELS 496: Senior Seminar   
 IV. Electives (15 hours; at least 9 hours must be in RELS    III. Electives (9 hours; at least 6 hours must be in RELS 
        courses) **         courses) **
              Any RELS course or               Any RELS course or
           ANTH 446: Anthropology of Religion            ANTH 446: Anthropology of Religion
           ART 316: Medieval Art and Architecture            ART 316: Medieval Art and Architecture
           ART 407: Islamic Art and Architecture            ART 407: Islamic Art and Architecture 
           ENG 396: Mythology            ENG 396: Mythology
           ENG 487: Dante            ENG 487: Dante
           HIST 318: Age of the Reformation            HIST 318: Age of the Reformation
           HIST 407: The Crusades: West Meets East            HIST 407: The Crusades: West Meets East
           PHIL 310: Science, Religion and Contemporary Life            PHIL 310: Science, Religion and Contemporary Life
           PHIL 329: Concepts of God, Good and Evil            PHIL 329: Concepts of God, Good and Evil          
           PSY 485: Psychology of Religion            PSY 485: Psychology of Religion 
           RELS: Any Course             RELS: Any Course 
           SOCL 322: Religion in Society             SOCL 322: Religion in Society 
   
*   The major in religious studies is reference #769; the minor in religious studies is reference #447.
** Electives may be selected from among the total offerings in RELS. Electives also may be selected from the following pre-approved list (or other courses approved by the Department Head) as well as from departmentally-approved language and study abroad courses.
   

Advisement

Eric Bain-Selbo
Cherry Hall 300
(270) 745-5744
E-Mail: Eric.Bain-Selbo@wku.edu

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 Last Modified 9/24/15