Religious Studies Major (B.A.)

A student wishing to major in religious studies must complete 30 credit hours (10 courses) in religious studies/theology: REL 200 Religious Perspectives (three credits), three REL/THE 300-level courses taken with full-time faculty (nine credits); four REL/THE elective courses (12 credits); a REL/THE 400-level course (three credits); and the Religious Studies Junior/Senior Capstone Course (three credits). The student must also complete world language study through the intermediate level.

Upon declaring a religious studies major, students will receive a copy of the departmental learning goals. Students and their advisers will use these goals as a guide in selecting courses. Students will demonstrate progress toward the goals by compiling work drawn from each semester into a portfolio for review by members of the department. During the junior/senior year, in the context of the capstone course, students will reflect on that progress in a concluding assessment essay.

Religious Studies Major

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Some Core requirements may be fulfilled by major requirements.

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Theology core requirement counts as one elective.

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This course is in addition to the COR 400 core requirement.

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Chosen after consultation with the student's faculty advisor and department chair; intermediate level of competency required.

* These REL/THE 300-level are taught by full-time religious studies faculty.  In these courses, students must complete additional and/or alternate assignments designed by the instructor to help them progress toward meeting departmental learning goals. Such assignments might include assembling annotated bibliographies or writing bibliographic essays, reading and discussing theory and method in the academic study of religion, or playing a distinctive role within the class (opening/leading discussions or taking responsibility for presenting portions of the course material). 

Departmental Honors in Religious Studies

In accord with 1988 guidelines approved by the academic dean, department chairs and program directors, declared religious studies majors with a 3.0 G.P.A. overall and a 3.25 G.P.A. in religious studies courses may pursue departmental honors, provided they have also demonstrated the potential to complete a research paper at least 25 – 30 pages in length.

During the fall semester of junior year, the departmental chair will invite eligible students to apply. The candidate for the departmental honors degree will determine a general area to research and choose a mentor from among the full-time members of the department with appropriate expertise. The mentor will direct the student as (s)he develops a proposal for the project. The proposal must include a well-formulated research question, description of methodology, a bibliography, a tentative outline and title, and criteria for evaluation. The mentor and two other members of the department must approve the proposal before spring registration. The student will then register for REL 490 Research (Departmental Honors Project).

During the fall semester of senior year, the student will complete a rough draft of the project under the mentor’s guidance. On or before the last day of classes, he will submit a copy of the rough draft to his mentor and to the chairperson of the department.

Under the mentor’s guidance, the student will complete a revision of the proposal during the spring semester. By April 1 (or a date agreed upon at the beginning of the process by student and mentor) the student submits a final draft of the project, along with evaluative criteria, to the examination committee. The chairperson of the department is responsible for establishing the examination committee; it typically includes the mentor and two other department members. In addition, as a matter of courtesy, (s)he formally invites the Faculty Committee for Integral Honors to participate in the defense. (S)he schedules the date, time and place and publicizes the event widely on campus. The defense date should be early enough to allow for any necessary revisions required by the examination committee.

After the defense, the mentor, in consultation with the department chair and the examination committee, decides how well the student’s project has met its evaluative criteria and departmental standards. Upon a successful defense and completion of any revisions, the student is eligible for departmental honors at graduation.

Religious Studies and Education Programs

The religious studies department in collaboration with the education department offers a major program for those who plan a career in elementary education or teaching religion. The program consists of a major in religious studies with a minor in education. A student’s program is designed after consultation with the chairs of both departments.

Students who plan a career in elementary education, special education or teaching English as a second language, may receive New York state certification with a major in religious studies and a minor in education. For a typical schedule, please see the Typical Program page.

Typical Program for Religious Studies Major with an Education Minor (Dual Childhood/Special Education Grades 1-6)