Religious Studies
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 Religious Studies
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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