Religious Studies (B.A.)

General Religious Studies major

Student Learning Outcomes for Religious Studies:

Students will be able to:

• Describe religion with nuance and complexity;

• Analyze religious texts;

• Develop a significant research question;

• Employ effective research strategies;

• Evaluate secondary sources;

• Defend a cogent thesis;

• Construct a detailed argument;

• Write clearly and persuasively.

Religious Studies major with a concentration in Asian Religions

Student Learning Outcomes for Asian Religions concentration:

Students will be able to:

• Describe the doctrines and practices of either Hinduism or Buddhism.

• Examine major historical events, persons, and movements in the histories of either Hinduism or Buddhism.

• Analyze the historical interactions of either Hinduism or Buddhism with other traditions with which they have had close contact.

• Articulate a critical appreciation for specific values, concepts, and practices of diverse religious traditions.

Religious Studies major with a concentration in Biblical Studies

Student Learning Outcomes for Biblical Studies concentration:

Students will be able to:

• Employ historical- and literary-critical methods of biblical interpretation.

• Analyze a primary text from the Bible in its original language of either Hebrew or Greek.

Religious Studies major with a concentration in Ethics and Society

Student Learning Outcomes for Ethics and Society concentration:

Students will be able to:

• Discuss and evaluate methods of decision-making in religious ethics.

• Describe the interrelationship between social worlds and religious values.

• Apply religious values to ethical situations and social issues.

Religious Studies major with a concentration in History of Christianity

Student Learning Outcomes for History of Christianity concentration:

Students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of the history of Christianity.

• Describe significant social historical contexts in the development of Christianity.

• Employ multiple interpretive perspectives on a selected topic in the history of Christianity.

In choosing electives, students concentrating in the History of Christianity must have at least two 200-level courses and two 300-level courses.

Religious Studies major with a concentration in Ministry Studies

Student Learning Outcomes for Ministry Studies concentration:

Students will be able to:

• Analyze the doctrines and practices of Christianity within their historical, biblical and theological contexts.

• Appraise the diversity of thought and practice both within the Christian tradition and in other religious traditions.

• Apply knowledge about religious beliefs and values to particular ministry situations.

Double Majors:

Students who have chosen Religious Studies as a second major may petition the Department for a two-course reduction in the major requirements, for a program of 10 courses totaling no fewer than 36 credits.

Electives:

In addition to courses from within the Department to complete their major in Religious Studies, students may choose to take a maximum of two courses from these offerings in other Departments:

• HI 311 - The Ancient World
• HI 312 - Rise of Europe, 400 - 1400
• HI 315 - The Early Modern World: Religion, Renaissance and Encounter
• PH 201 - WCH History of Western Philosophy I
• PH 320 - Philosophy of Religion
• PS 328 - Politics and Religion
• SO 317 - Sociology of Religion
• SO 364 - Amish Society (REL 364)