DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJOR
Many students come into the Religious Studies Department with a particular interest in either western religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), or eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism). However, the requirements for the major are designed to guide your course of study in both areas, as well as in the diversity of religions found in America (including Native American, African-American, and New Religious traditions). The expectation that students take at least one course in American religions will further students' understanding of the American religious landscape, a landscape that cannot be properly understood simply as an extension of Christian and European history. Religious Studies majors must satisfy a distribution requirement in all three areas (see Groups A, B, C below), and each of these courses provides a historical survey of particular religious traditions or of the religions of a specific geographical area. The study of sacred texts is also important, as students learn how foundational scriptures are written, read, interpreted, and canonized; at the 200-level students may choose between courses on the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, or Asian sacred texts.
The Religious Studies major is also expected to learn about the history and formation of the discipline in order to understand the variety of theories and methods available for describing, interpreting, and explaining religious phenomena. RELS 210 introduces students to the theoretical and methodological tools used in the academic study of religion, and to the debates within the field over how best to define religion, what its origins are, and whether religion can be explained in social, psychological, economic, and/or political terms. At the advanced level of study, the 300 and 400 level courses offer an opportunity to learn about religions and religious phenomena in a comparative and thematic fashion. For example, students can explore the complex relationships between the elite "great traditions" (featured in groups A and B below) and the popular "little traditions" that are represented by tribal and indigenous peoples. Courses are offered on the study of Native American religions, folk religion, and charismatic New Religious Movements, and how these indigenous traditions interact with missionary traditions and elite religious institutions. The Senior Seminar serves as a capstone experience that integrates the theoretical and methodological issues introduced in RELS 210 and applies them to a specific religious phenomena or to a theme that varies each year.
Religious Studies Degree Worksheet (for majors)
The Requirements for the Major in Religious Studies are 33 hours, or eleven courses, which must include the following:
1) RELS 101 Approaches to Religion or RELS 105 Introduction to World Religions
2) RELS 210 Theories in the Study of Religions
3) One Sacred Text Course, chosen from:
RELS 201 The Hebrew Bible: History and Interpretation
RELS 202 The New Testament: History and Interpretation
RELS 205 Sacred Texts of the East
4) Three (3) Religious Traditions courses, one selected from Group A, one selected from Group B, one selected from Group C:
Group A: RELS 225 Jewish Tradition; RELS 230 Christian Tradition; RELS 235 Islamic Tradition
Group B: RELS 240 Buddhist Tradition; RELS 245 Religions of India; RELS 248 Religious Traditions of China & Japan
Group C: RELS 250 Religions in America; RELS 260 Native American Religions; RELS 270 African-American Religions
5) RELS 450 Senior Seminar in Religious Studies
6) One additional course at the 200 level or above
7) Two (2) additional courses at the 300 level or above
8) One additional course in Religious Studies
With the approval of the Chair in Religious Studies, one course (200 level or above) in a related discipline may be substituted for one of the additional courses listed under 6) or 7) above
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MINOR
The minor in Religious Studies can be effectively combined with a complementary major in another field. For example, to combine the minor with History or Political Science allows for deeper insight into the profound historical connections between events and religious motivations, or between political ideologies and religious discourse. Students majoring in literature, art, or philosophy learn to recognize the symbols and ideas arising from the classical religious traditions and their texts. Students in the social sciences, especially in psychology, sociology, and anthropology, will find that the Religious Studies minor complements and focuses their major course work.
The minor in Religious Studies requires a minimum of 18 semester hours. At least nine hours in the minor at the 200 level or above must be earned at the College of Charleston.
1) RELS 101 Approaches to Religion or RELS 105 Introduction to World Religions
2) One (1) religious traditions course selected from:
RELS 225 Jewish Tradition; RELS 230 Christian Tradition; RELS 235 Islamic Tradition; RELS 240 Buddhist Tradition; RELS 245 Religions of India; RELS 248 Religious Traditions of China & Japan
3) One (1) sacred text course chosen from:
RELS 201 The Hebrew Bible; RELS 202 The New Testament; RELS 205 Sacred Texts of the East
4) One (1) course in Religious Studies at the 300-level or above
5) Two (2) additional courses in Religious Studies
With the approval of the Chair of Religious Studies, one course (200-level or above) in a related discipline may be substituted for one of these Religious Studies courses in 4) or 5) above.