Religion Catalog Listing | Course / Exam Schedule |
Senior Thesis Guidelines
The Department of Religion allows students to become acquainted with the major world religions and with various approaches to religious topics and questions. In addition to the traditions of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, the department has special strengths in the areas of American Religion, Sacred Texts (including Biblical Hebrew in the Department of Classics), and Ethics. Members of the department also have close ties to environmental studies, women’s & gender studies, classical studies, and international studies; they are available to work with students pursuing majors in these programs.
Requirements for the major
Students must take a minimum of eleven fall or spring courses. The major is designed to provide depth and breadth in, as well as systematic reflection upon, the study of religion. To facilitate this, religion courses are required from three Categories: A.) Western traditions (i.e., Judaism, Christianity, and Islam); B.) Asian traditions (e.g., Buddhism and Taoism); and C.) Areas (i.e., American religion, Ethics, and the study of Sacred Texts). Note that although some courses could fall into two categories, no single course will fulfill more than one requirement for a particular student. Courses are keyed as follows:
AR = American Religions
AT = Asian Traditions
ET = Ethics
ST = Sacred Texts
WT = Western Traditions
Requirements for the major may be calculated following the simple formula: 5-4-3-2-1.
5. To provide depth to their study in religion, students will have a major concentration of five courses in one of the Categories listed above. This concentration will include at least one 300-level seminar and a senior Project (RELI 0601). A student may choose to develop the senior project into a year-long senior thesis (RELI 0700) in consultation with his or her advisor. Note: Students fulfilling their major concentration in an Area listed in Category C must take all five courses within that specific area (i.e., five courses either in American Religion, in Ethics, or in the study of Sacred Texts).
4. To provide sustained, systematic reflection on the academic study of religion, students will take RELI 0400 , preferably during their junior year.
3. To provide breadth and depth, students will have a minor concentration of three courses in a second of the Categories listed above. Note: Students fulfilling their minor concentration in an Area listed in Category C must take all three courses within that specific area (i.e., three courses in American Religion, or in Ethics, or in the study of Sacred Texts).
2. To provide breadth, students will take two courses in the third Category (i.e., the Category not fulfilling either #5 or #3).
1. Students must take at least one 100-level introductory course in an Asian and one in a Western tradition. These courses may also fulfill the other major requirements outlined above.
The Chair of the Department, in consultation with the student's advisor, will determine how transfer credits and courses taken during study abroad will be applied toward Departmental requirements.
Joint major
For the Religion component of a joint major, students will complete seven Religion courses plus a senior project (RELI 0601) which utilizes the training and content of both fields. These seven courses include: 4. RELI 0400. 3. A concentration of three courses in one of the Categories (including at least one 0300-level seminar). Note: Students fulfilling this concentration in an Area must take all three courses within that specific area (e.g., in American Religion, or in Ethics or in the study of Sacred Texts). 2. A minor concentration of two courses in a second category. 1. An elective of one course in the third and last category.
Religion Minor
The religion minor consists of at least five courses. Students should have a concentration of three courses (including at least one 0300-level seminar) in one of the categories listed above. Students concentrating their minor in an Area must take all three courses within that specific area (e.g., Ethics).
The Minor in Jewish Studies
This program offers a minor in Jewish Studies to students who complete the following requirements:
(1) One of the following courses that offer a broad introduction to the study of Judaism:
RELI 0160 The Jewish Tradition
RELI/CLAS 0162 The Formation of Judaism in Antiquity
(2) Three additional courses pertinent to Jewish Studies from among the following:
HEBM 0201 Modern Hebrew Culture in Translation
HIST 0257 The Holocaust
HIST 0424 Readings in Modern European History: The Nazis and the Jews
INTL 0343 State and Society in Contemporary Israel
RELI 0260 Classical Jewish Texts
RELI 0180 Biblical Literature
RELI 0280 Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
Up to two courses in Hebrew language or texts (HEBR 0201 and higher) may count toward the requirements for the minor
(3) A 0300-level seminar in Jewish Studies;
RELI 0360 Seminar in Jewish Thought
RELI 0380 Seminar in Biblical Studies
RELI 0365 The German Jews
Other appropriate courses may be substituted for courses in categories (2) or (3) with the approval of the program director.
Departmental Honors
Graduation with departmental honors requires at least a B+ on the senior project and a B+ average in courses counted toward the major. Only students who have completed a thesis are eligible for highest honors, which requires an A on the thesis and at least a B+ average in other courses counted toward the major.