A new Religion major and minor will go into effect in the 2022-23 academic year.

The new Religion major provides:

• Flexibility: With both core requirements and electives, you can design a program based on your interests and vocational goals.
• Opportunities to:
• Reflect on your learning with other majors and a faculty mentor
• Make connections between Religion courses and other curricular and co-curricular activities
• Prepare for the Senior Project
• Discern your callings and reflect on your sense of self, faith, and responsible citizenship.

The new Religion minor provides:

• Flexibility: Within the core requirements, you can design a minor that complements your major and follows your interests and vocational goals.
• Breadth: The minor includes all four core areas of study (texts, traditions, issues, and interactions).

Requirements for the Religion Major beginning 2022-23 academic year: Eight 4-credit courses, distributed as follows: One core course from each of the following four categories: Texts (courses numbered 101-114); Traditions (courses numbered 215-229); Issues (courses numbered 230-249, excluding 239); and Interactions (courses numbered 250-265); one course numbered 300 or higher (excluding 380 and 381); one seminar (REL 485); and two electives from departmental offerings in religion.  One of the electives may consist of a 4-credit REL 395.

Reflection and Synthesis Requirement: A junior year eportfolio requirement where students reflect on their work in the major; make connections between their work in the major and other curricular and co-curricular learning, as well as possible vocational/avocational aspirations; and prepare for the senior project.

Core: The core of the religion major is divided into the following four categories:

Texts: Courses in the category explore the nature, development and ongoing interpretation of foundational religious texts. Attention is given to how such texts continue to shape, while also being shaped by, the religious communities that use them.

Traditions: Courses in this category explore the history and formation of particular religious traditions or sub-traditions. Attention is given to the communal, political, and legal structures of these traditions, as well as the contemporary challenges and controversies within them.

Issues: Courses in this category explore the engagement of religious communities and worldviews with contemporary issues of public concern. Attention is given to ethics and to the intersections between the study of religion and other fields of knowledge.

Interactions: Courses in this category explore cross-cultural or interfaith issues. Attention is given to how religious communities, worldviews, and practices are impacted by encounters with other communities, worldviews, and practices.

Ethical perspective: Because ethics is an important subdiscipline in the study of religion, religion majors will engage in the study of ethical perspectives in most of their courses. Religion majors, therefore, will fulfill this general education requirement by completing the major.

Writing: Because critical thinking and communication depend on this skill, most religion courses require writing. Departmental offerings in religion numbered 300 and higher (excluding REL 380 and 381) involve intensive writing, and REL 485 fulfills the Writing requirement. Religion majors, therefore, will fulfill this general requirement by completing the major.

Requirements for the Religion minor beginning 2022-23 academic year: Five 4-credit courses, distributed as follows: core course from each of the following four categories: Texts (courses numbered 101-114); Traditions (courses numbered 215-229); Issues (courses numbered 230-249, excluding 239); and Interactions (courses numbered 250-265); one course numbered 300 or higher (excluding 380 and 381).