This degree is designed to meet the admission requirements of graduate programs in varying fields, including Religious Studies, and seminaries, by providing students with an introduction to a diverse array of religious traditions and methodologies for engaging in the comparative examination of these cultural institutions.
General Education Curriculum (45-46)
For the full General Education Curriculum Policy and Requirements, refer to the GEC listed in this catalog.
MAT 1302 or MAT 1304 is acceptable for the GEC math requirement.
Some courses listed in program “Major Requirements” or “Required Related Courses” (noted with an asterisk [*]) may be used to meet requirements in the GEC. Although these courses fulfill requirements in each area, credit hours for these courses, if taken for the GEC, may only be counted in the GEC.
Complete Graduation Requirements are listed in this catalog.
Language Literacy
English
one of the following courses:
| ENG 2324 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 Credits |
| ENG 2326 | Exploring American Lit | 3 Credits |
| ENG 2327 | Exploring World Lit | 3 Credits |
| ENG 2328 | Exploring British Lit | 3 Credits |
| WSP 2301 | Hon Sem Lang/Lit, Liter | 3 Credits |
Interdisciplinary Integrative Course
choose one course:
| HUM 2340 | The Human Experience I | 3 Credits |
| HUM 2341 | The Human Prospect | 3 Credits |
| SSC 2360 | Social Justice | 3 Credits |
| WSP 2340 | Hon Lang/Lit Interdiscip Integrative | 3 Credits |
Analytic Literacy
Choose one option:
Option #1: two math / one science (10 hours);
Option #2: one math / two sciences (11 hours)
Mathematics:
MAT 1302, MAT 1304 (if allowable by major), or any math course with MAT 1302 or MAT 1304 or higher as a prerequisite (students may not satisfy Option #1 with both MAT 1302 and MAT 1304 only))
Note: MAT 1304 is acceptable for all programs in the School of Natural and Social Sciences except for the programs in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics. MAT 1304 is acceptable for all programs in the School of Arts and Letters and the School of Education. MAT 1304 is not acceptable for any program in the School of Business and Professional Programs.
Science:
Choose 1 or 2 of the following courses with accompanying lab:
| BIO 1406 | Contemporary Biology | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1407 | Animal Life | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1408 | Plants & Human Affairs | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1409 | Cracking the Code: A User's Guide to Human Genetics | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1410 | Introduction to Biology I | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1413 | Local Spring Flora | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1414 | Cats, Chromosomes & Codons | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1415 | Exploring Human Biology | 4 Credits |
| BIO 1420 | Introduction to Biology II | 4 Credits |
| BIO 2401 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 Credits |
| BIO 2402 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 Credits |
| CHE 1403 | Nature of Physical Science | 4 Credits |
| CHE 1404 | Physical Science & Environment | 4 Credits |
| CHE 1405 | Forensic Science I | 4 Credits |
| CHE 1415 | General Chemistry I | 4 Credits |
| CHE 1416 | General Chemistry II | 4 Credits |
| NSC 1402 | Introductory Astronomy | 4 Credits |
| PHY 1401 | University Physics I | 4 Credits |
| PHY 1402 | University Physics II | 4 Credits |
| PHY 1410 | Fundamentals of Physics I | 4 Credits |
| WSP 2406 | Hon Sem Science Lit | 4 Credits |
Cultural Literacy
| HIS 2324 | Fundamentals of Modern American History | 3 Credits |
Choose (3) hours from one of the following:
FAR, MUS, or THA
Choose (3) hours from any of the following:
| REL 1311 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible | 3 Credits |
| REL 1312 | Introduction to the Christian Scripture | 3 Credits |
| REL 1313 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 Credits |
| REL 1321 | Introductory Studies in World Religion | 3 Credits |
| REL 1322 | Ways of Being Religious | 3 Credits |
Choose (3) hours from any of the following:
FAR, MUS, THA
| HIS 2321 | Fundamentals of Early American History | 3 Credits |
| HIS 2301 | World History to 1648 | 3 Credits |
| HIS 2303 | World History Since 1648 | 3 Credits |
| PHI 2301 | Logic | 3 Credits |
| PHI 2321 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 Credits |
| REL 1311 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible | 3 Credits |
| REL 1312 | Introduction to the Christian Scripture | 3 Credits |
| | | |
| REL 1313 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 Credits |
| | or | |
| REL 1321 | Introductory Studies in World Religion | 3 Credits |
| | | |
| SPC 1301 | Fund of Speech | 3 Credits |
| WSP 2303 | Hon Sem Cultural Lit | 3 Credits |
Social Literacy
| EXS 1220 | Basic Concepts of Wellness | 2 Credits |
Choose any three of the following courses with at least two different academic areas represented:
Required Related Courses
English
History
one of the following courses:
| HIS 2301 | World History to 1648 | 3 Credits |
| HIS 4322 | Foreign Policy of the US | 3 Credits |
| HIS 4324 | History of Sub-Saharan Africa | 3 Credits |
| HIS 4351 | International Relations | 3 Credits |
| HIS 4355 | Hist & Pol Mid East | 3 Credits |
HIS 2301* may be used to satisfy the GEC
Humanities
HUM 2340, HUM 2341* may be used to satisfy the GEC.
Note: The specific course will be the one not taken to fulfill the GEC requirement
Philosophy
| REL 1313 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 Credits |
| | or | |
| PHI 1313 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 Credits |
| | and | |
| | any 3 hours of philosophy courses, 2000 level or above* | 3 Credits |
REL 1313* may be used to satisfy the GEC
Psychology
| PSY 1301 | General Psychology | 3 Credits |
| | and any 3 hours of psychology courses 2000 level or above* | 3 Credits |
PSY 1301 and any 3 hours of psychology courses 2000 level or above* may be used to satisfy the GEC.
Sociology
| SOC 1302 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 Credits |
| | or | |
| SOC 2301 | Intro to Sociology | 3 Credits |
| | and | |
| | any additional 3 hours of Sociology courses | 3 Credits |
Major Requirements
Introductory Courses
Introduction to the Bible
choose one of the following:
| REL 1311 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible | 3 Credits |
| REL 1312 | Introduction to the Christian Scripture | 3 Credits |
REL 1311, REL 1312* may be used to satisfy the GEC.
Note: For Christian Studies Emphasis students, either REL 1311 or REL 1312 should be taken as a part of Core Curriculum requirements. Between REL 1311 and REL 1312, the course not taken as a part of the Core Curriculum should be used to satisfy this requirement.
Comparative Studies
choose one of the following:
| REL 1321 | Introductory Studies in World Religion | 3 Credits |
| REL 1322 | Ways of Being Religious | 3 Credits |
Foundation and Perspective Courses
Christian Studies Emphasis:
choose one of the following:
| REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
| | or | |
| REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
| | | |
| REL 3324 | Intro to the Christian Faith | 3 Credits |
| REL 3361 | Jesus' Life & Teachings | 3 Credits |
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
| REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
| REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
| REL 3321 | The Hindu Religious Traditions | 3 Credits |
| REL 3322 | The Buddha and His Teachings | 3 Credits |
| REL 3323 | Islam | 3 Credits |
| REL 3325 | Classical Judaism | 3 Credits |
| REL 3362 | Religious Problems and Solutions | 3 Credits |
| REL 3363 | Religion in America | 3 Credits |
Comparative Studies Emphasis:
| REL 2321 | An Intro to Asian Religions | 3 Credits |
| REL 2322 | An Intro to Mediterranean Religions Religions | 3 Credits |
| REL 3362 | Religious Problems and Solutions | 3 Credits |
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
Note: The prerequisite for all courses under the heading of Foundational and Perspective Courses is at least one of the following courses: REL 1311, REL 1312, REL 1321 or REL 1322, or by special permission from the instructor.
Advanced Studies
Christian Studies Emphasis:
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
Comparative Studies Emphasis:
choose one of the following:
| REL 4342 | Studies in Comparative Religion | 3 Credits |
| REL 4344 | Global Religion & Film | 3 Credits |
any additional 6 hours from the list of courses below:
| REL 3399 | Special Topics | 3 Credits |
| REL 4342 | Studies in Comparative Religion | 3 Credits |
| REL 4344 | Global Religion & Film | 3 Credits |
| REL 4345 | Religion & Pop Culture | 3 Credits |
| REL 4346 | Contemporary Theological Issues | 3 Credits |
| REL 4360 | The History of Christianity | 3 Credits |
| REL 4399 | Special Topics | 3 Credits |
Note: The prerequisite for all courses under the heading of Advanced Studies is at least one course from the list of Foundational and Perspective Courses, or by special permission of the instructor. If REL 4342 and 4344 are both taken, then an additional three hours of approved Advance Studies courses must still be earned.
Capstone Experience
| REL 4343 | Saints, Sages & Social Reformers | 3 Credits |
(Must have completed 9 upper level Religion hours to take course)
Electives
Electives will be required if the student has not met a minimum of 120 hours in the program.
Total Hours (120)