Studies of Religions and Spirituality
Exploring the Major— Students who have interests in academic studies of Religions and Spirituality as a major should begin to explore the field of study through one of the several introductory courses that the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality offers, but especially through REL 100: The Study of Religions, which the department requires for all students who choose the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality.
Admission to the Major— The Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality does not require any special curricular requirements of students who apply for admission to the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)— Although the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality does not require students to follow a mandatory sequence of courses in general, students who chose the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality should complete REL 100: Study of Religions early in their studies, since this course introduces students to categories and methods in the academic studies of Religions and Spirituality that they will encounter and will employ in other courses. Students should take REL 480: Seminar in Religions and Spiritualities (the capstone experience and research project) during their final year of study.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major— In addition to successful completion of specific requirements for the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality, each student must satisfy the standards for written and oral communication in the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality.
Guidelines for Students Pursuing Two Academic Majors—
- The faculty of the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality has designed the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality to reflect the interdisciplinary character of contemporary academic studies of religions and spiritualities. Toward that end, the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality offers a curriculum that encourages students to develop their programs of study through majors in two academic departments with the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality as either the primary or the secondary major field of study.
- Students who intend to complete requirements for two academic majors, with the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality as either the primary or the secondary major, should coordinate the developing degree plan with the following persons: (1) their academic advisor; (2) the Chairperson of the Department for the Studies of Religions and Spirituality, and (3) the Chairperson of the other academic department.
- Because the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality cross-lists several of its own courses in the curricula of some other academic departments, the potential exists for students to take courses that will fulfill requirements and count toward majors in both the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality and other associated academic departments. For this reason, students who also pursue another academic major, as well as the major in Studies of Religions and Spirituality, must complete at least six (6) courses from the curriculum of the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality that do not also count toward curricular degree requirements for another academic major. Early in their programs of study, students should direct questions about how specific courses will count toward both academic majors to the Chairperson of the Department for Studies of Religions and Spirituality.