Course Planning

Religious Studies Major - Planning

Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this overview of the Academic Program and refer to the Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.

Possible Degree Path – starting in the first year. The Major in Religious Studies requires 10 courses and is highly flexible. The following is only one possible plan for this major.   Please consult with your advisor to create your unique path. 

  Fall Semester Spring Semester
First Year

1–3 Religious Studies (RELI) courses at the 100- or 200- level, possibly including:

  • Asian Religions (RELI 111)
  • Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (RELI 113)


Sophomore

2–4 Religious Studies (RELI) courses, including:  

  • 100-200 RELI elective courses
  • What is Religion? (RELI 209), spring semester, though may be deferred to Junior Year
  • 300-level courses with prior RELI coursework. Other sophomores are welcome to consult with the course instructor or the program chair.

If not completed previously: Asian Religions (RELI 111) and/or Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (RELI 113), though one or more may be deferred to Junior Year

Junior
  • COOP either semester
  • 1–2 300-level seminar(s)
  • If not completed previously: Asian Religions (RELI 111), Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (RELI 113), What is Religion? (RELI 209)
  • Program elective courses as needed or desired
Senior
  • 1–2 300-level seminar(s)
  • Senior Colloquium (RELI 497), spring semester
  • Other remaining courses required to complete the major

Possible Degree Path – starting in the second year.  The Major in Religious Studies requires 10 courses and is highly flexible. The following is only one possible plan for major starting in the sophomore year, but many variations are possible. Please consult with your advisor to create your unique path. 

  Fall Semester Spring Semester
First Year

 -

Sophomore

3–4 Religious Studies (RELI) courses, possibly including:

  • Asian Religions (RELI 111)
  • Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (RELI 113)
  • What is Religion? (RELI 209) in the Spring semester, may be deferred to Junior Year
  • 300-level courses with prior RELI coursework. Other sophomores are welcome to consult with the course instructor or the program chair.

Junior
  • COOP either semester
  • 1 300-level seminar
  • If not completed previously: Asian Religions (RELI 111), Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (RELI 113), What is Religion? (RELI 209)
  • Program elective courses as needed or desired

Senior


  • 1–2 300-level seminar(s)
  • Senior Colloquium (RELI 497), spring semester

Other remaining courses required to complete the major

Capstone Comments:  Please refer to the Catalog for details on the Religious Studies capstone experience.