Religious Studies (BA)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Religious Studies to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Religious Studies majors from Advising:
- Don’t forget to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
- The Theology department offers students the opportunity to complete the standard major or opt for one of two tracks. These tracks are Honors and Interdisciplinary. More information about each track can be found in the course catalog.
- With this major, it is very manageable to add a second major or a minor in the future, and study abroad at almost any time.
- If you prefer to take a foreign language in your first semester, you may do so and make room by swapping out one Core class. Be sure to take your placement exam unless you have no classroom experience with the language. The placement exam will tell you which course to enroll in for fall.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Religious Studies major, you will enroll in the following courses:
Pick one to three of the following (3-9 total credits):
- THEO 100 or 107
- THEO 185 or 186
- THEO 272, 282, 295, 297, or 299
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Two to four of the following Core classes, depending on major courses you choose (Pick only one course per category, 6-12 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100C or UCLR 100E or UCLR 100M
- Ethics Knowledge: PHIL 181, PHIL 182, THEO 185, or THEO 186
- Foundational Scientific Knowledge: ENVS 101
- Quantitative Knowledge: CJC 206, COMP/MUSC 122, COMP 125 or 150, ISSCM 241, MATH 108, or STAT 103
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Religious Studies major, you will enroll in the following courses:
Pick one to three of the following (3-9 total credits):
- THEO 107 or 107
- THEO 186 or 186
- THEO 272, 282, 295, 297, or 299
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits)
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
Zero to two of the following Core classes, depending on major courses you choose (Pick only one course per category, 0-6 total credits):
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: Any 100/200/300-level HIST course
- Foundational Scientific Knowledge: ENVS 101
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Quantitative Knowledge: CJC 206, COMP/MUSC 122, COMP 125 or 150, ISSCM 241, MATH 108, or STAT 103
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Religious Studies to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.