Religion

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Professors: W.T. Foley, Lustig, Mahony (Chair), Ottati, Plank
Associate Professors: Poland, Snyder, Wills
Assistant Professors: Brinton, Lye

Distribution Requirements

All courses except 101W may be counted toward the fulfillment of the distribution requirement; the department recommends that the first course be chosen from among 100- or 200-level courses.

Cultural Diversity Requirement

REL 170, 244, 255, 261, 270, 271, 272, 275, 280, 282, 346, 370, 375, 382, and 383 are options for fulfilling the cultural diversity requirement.

Major Requirements

Ten courses in religion (the Humanities 150-251 sequence counts as one course). Courses must include at least five courses at the 300- or 400-level, 301 (beginning with the class of 2011), two seminars, 401, one course in a non-Christian tradition, and one course from each of the following groups:

Biblical studies, broadly defined: REL 125, 130, 222, 223, 230, 231, 232, 320, 321, 333, 335, 357, 363, 428, 452.
Various religions in the world, history of religions, religion and culture: REL 140, 170, 242, 255, 260, 261, 262, 270, 271, 272, 275, 280, 285, 340, 341, 347, 360, 365, 361, 362, 363, 370, 380, 381, 475, 479, 480.
Topics and issues in theology and ethics: REL 141, 142, 143, 150, 155, 244, 245, 247, 248, 250, 251, 252, 253, 256, 257, 258, 263, 284, 343, 344, 345, 346, 348, 349, 350, 352, 355, 358, 440, 441, 446, 448, 450, 451, 455, 456, 458, 461.

Minor Requirements

Six courses, at least four of which must be above 199. These courses must include either one 300-level course and a seminar or two seminars. In addition, they must meet the same distribution requirements as applied to the major; that is, one course from each of the three specified categories and one course in a non-Christian tradition.

Honors Requirements

A minimum of 3.2 GPA overall, and 3.5 in the department; completion of senior thesis of honors quality, with oral examination; and the recommendation of the department. For admission into the honors program, consult with the chair of the department.

Rationale for Course Numbering

Courses at the 100-level are designed primarily for first and second year students; registration for these courses is generally closed to juniors and seniors until the Drop/Add period. Registration for courses at the 200-level and above is open to all students. Courses at the 300-level are open to all students and generally include more specialized reading material, involve more student research, and require somewhat longer papers than do courses at the 100- and 200-levels. Courses numbered in the 400s are seminars designed primarily for majors and minors, although registration is usually open to all students. Seminar topics vary from year to year.

Distribution of courses within the major itself is directed along three general lines of study and inquiry. Those in Group 1 are associated with biblical studies, rather broadly defined. Group 2 includes courses on various religions in the world, the history of religions, and religion and culture. Those in Group 3 address topics and issues in theology and ethics.