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Religious Studies Major Requirements

Major Requirements

For the major, you are required to complete a minimum of 30 units in Religious Studies. Of these 18 units must be in courses at the 300-level or above. The selection of courses should be guided by the following requirements.

Foundational Courses (required of all majors and minors) - 6 Units

  • L23 202 Introduction to Religious Traditions I: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
    This course is designed to introduce students to the study of human religiousness by studying the three major world religious traditions that claim the figure of Abraham as a forefather: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This course is will be offered annually.
  • L23 203 Introduction to Religious Traditions II: Asian Religions
    This course is designed to introduce students to the study of human religiousness by studying the major world religious traditions that had their beginnings in Asia. This course will be offered annually.

Theory and Methods in the Study of Religions – 3 Units

  • L23 368 Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion
    This course is designed to introduce students to the theories and methodologies used in the study of Religion (i.e., the why of Religions and the how to approach studying religion). PLEASE NOTE: It is recommended that this course be taken after completion of 202 and 203.

Areas of Concentration – 18 Units, 12 units must be 300 level or above

There are three areas of concentrations available for Religious Studies Majors: A. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; B. Hinduism, Buddhism, and East Asian Religions; and C. Religion, Culture, and Society. Majors must select TWO of the following THREE areas of concentrations. For each area of concentration students should take a minimun of 9 units, of which at least 6 units of which must be at the 300 level or above.

NOTE: The courses listed under each area of concentration are courses that are offered on a regular basis: however, they will not necessary be offered every year. In addition, every year one or more courses on special topics in Religious Studies are offered that do not appear on this list. In other words, this listing is designed to give you a general idea of the kinds of courses that may be used to fulfill the requirements: it does not cover all of the possibilities. Also note that some courses may be used to fulfill requirements in more than one area of concentration. It is essential that you consult with your advisor on a regular basis.

  • Sample Courses in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

208F Introduction to Jewish Civilization
210C Introduction to Islamic Civilization
300 Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
3031 Christianity in the Modern World
307F Introduction to the New Testament
3082 Introduction to Rabbinic Judaism
3101 The Problem of Evil
366 Approaches to the Qur'an
393 Christianity in Medieval Europe
39T8 Sufism: Mystics in Islamic History
412 Islamic Theology
432 Early Christianity and Classical Culture

  • Sample Courses in Hinduism, Buddhism, East Asian Religions

303 The Taoist Tradition
309 Chinese Thought
3091 Confucian Traditions
311 Buddhist Traditions
312 South Asian Traditions
3461 Zen Buddhism
348 Hindu Traditions
3670 Gurus, Saints, and Scientists: Religion in Modern South Asia
414 Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy
418 Gender and Sexuality in East Asian Religions
4711 Topics in Religious Studies: Gender and Religion in China

  • Sample Courses in Religion, Culture, and Society

207 Scriptures and Cultural Traditions
208F Introduction to Jewish Civilization
210C Introduction to Islamic Civilizations
313C Islamic History: 622-1200
314C Islamic History: 1200-1800
3262 The Early Medieval World 300-1000
3302 Religion and Science
3313 Women and Islam
334C History of the Jews in Christian Europe
335C The Jews in the Modern World
336C History of the Jews in Islamic Lands
374C The Jews in the Ancient World
3802 Sacred Shrines and Holy Places
390 Lyrics of Mystical Love, East and West
392 South Asian Traditions in Practice
4811 Reading Seminar in Religion and Chinese Literature
4822 Reading Seminar in Gender & Religion in Chinese Literature and Culture

Senior Captstone Experience – 3 Units

In their senior year, all Religious Studies majors (with the exception of those students who have qualified for and elected to write an Honor’s thesis) are required take the L23 479 Religious Studies Senior Seminar 479. The topic of this seminar varies from year to year, but in each case is designed to provide students an opportunity to make use of the knowledge and understanding they have gained in the process of filling their major requirements to approach an issue or group of issues central to the contemporary academic study of religion.

Important Information

Independent Studies: No more than 6 units of Independent Studies may be applied to the major. Normally, Independent Studies courses are designed for seniors who have already taken all of the available courses regularly offered or who have a very specific topic they wish to pursue at an advanced level (schedule conflicts do not constitute a valid rationale for taking an Independent Studies). Permission of the program director, the academic advisor, and the supervising faculty is required.

Transfer Credits: Students may transfer a maximum of 6 units from another institution (including Study Abroad) to count toward their Religious Studies major with the approval of the advisor and the program director.

"Double Counting" Courses: Religious Studies majors are normally allowed to "double count" 3 units of credit towards a second major. In special circumstances students may "double count" 6 units of credit. In order to double count courses students must have permission of both their advisor and the director of Religious Studies. Please note: If a student has two majors, each major must have 18 upper-level units of credit independent of each other. If a student has a major and a minor, the major must have 18 upper-level units independent of the minor and the minor must have 12 units independent of the major.

Declaring a Major or Minor

All students wishing to declare a major or a minor must first meet with the director of the Religious Studies program. Please bring a completed declaration of major or minor form and a copy of your internal record to this meeting. At this meeting you will be assigned your Religious Studies advisor. You can contact the program director to set up an appointment or stop by during office hours (current office hours are available online or in the Religious Studies office).

Advisors

As a major or a minor, your advisor will be one of the full-time faculty members in the Religious Studies Program. Your advisors will know you personally and will help you individualize your studies. Should you decide to choose a program of professional or graduate study, your advisor will provide you with assistance in identifying programs suited to your needs.

Combined Programs

Many students undertake a concentration in Religious Studies as a complement to a program of preprofessional studies in another department or college of Washington University. On average, at least half of our majors also major in another discipline or program.