Major and Minor in Religious Studies

RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

The University of Toledo offers a B.A. degree with a major in Religious Studies. All students majoring in Religious Studies must take a minimum of 31 hours in Religious Studies plus 18 hours of related courses. The course requirements for the major are as follows:

A. Required courses (7 hours)

REL 2000 [Introduction to Religion, 3 hours], REL 3750 [Philosophy of Religion, 3 hours], REL4640 [Pro-Seminar, 1 hour]

B. Distribution Requirements (9 hours)

Students must take at least one course in each of the following distributions, with at least one course taken at 3000-4000 level. The student may petition their advisor to have other courses substituted from the list below in fulfillment of the distribution requirement.

distribution group ONE: Christianity & Judaism

REL 2310 [Old Testament/Tanakh], REL 2330 [New Testament], REL 2350 [Authority and the Bible], REL 2410 [Intro. to Christianity], REL 3420 [Christian Ethical Perspectives], REL 3080 [Jewish Biblical Studies], REL 3900 [Christian Marriage]

distribution Group Two: Islam

REL 2300 [Understanding Monotheism], REL 2980 [Introduction to Islam], REL 3350 [Qur’an and Hadith], REL 3580 [Cont. Issues in Islam]

distribution Group Three: Eastern Religion

REL 3500 [Eastern Thought], REL 3520 [Zen Philosophy]

C. ELECTIVES (15 HOURS)

All majors take 15 hours of electives, i.e. any 2000-4000 level REL course not counted toward the above requirements. At least 6 hours of these 15 hours must be taken at the 4000 level. Students may consider directing some of these hours toward a concentration (see D), toward a Religious Studies Internship REL 4940 ideally taken concurrently with the Pro-Seminar, or toward a Senior Thesis for Honors REL 4960 if pursuing departmental honors (see E).

d. optional: concentration areas (12 hours)

Students may opt to dedicate 12 hours toward a concentration in one of the four sub-fields of Religious Studies below to receive a B.A. in Religious Studies. Students may also opt out of concentrating to receive a B.A. in Religious Studies per se. Distribution courses, elective courses, courses in related fields and independent studies that align with the concentration in question can all count toward a concentration with prior approval of the advisor.

Jewish and Christian Studies concentration:

12 hours related to the study of Judaism and Christianity, selected from courses including, but not limited to: REL 2300 [Understanding Monotheism], REL 2310 [Old Testament/Tanakh], REL 2330 [New Testament], REL 2350 [Authority and the Bible], REL2380 [Topics in Catholic Thought], REL 2410 [Intro. to Christianity], REL 3210 [Ancient & Medieval Philosophy], REL 3420 Christian Ethical Perspectives], REL 3900 [Christian Marriage], REL 4610 [Christian Spirituality], REL 4620 [Suffering & Evil]

Islamic Studies concentration:

12 hours related to the study of Islam, selected from courses including, but not limited to: REL 2300 [Understanding Monotheism], REL 2980 [Introduction to Islam], REL 3210 Ancient & Medieval Philosophy], REL 3100 [Islam], REL 3350 [Qur'an & Hadith], REL 3580 [Contemporary Issues In Islam], REL 4520 [History of the Middle East, 600-1500]

INTERRELIGIOUS STUDIES concentration:

12 hours related to the study of inter-religion, selected from courses including, but not limited to: REL 3210 [Ancient & Medieval Philosophy], REL3510 [Comparative Religion], REL4900 [Religion, Violence & Peace Iteration], REL 4920 [Directed Reading in Religious Studies, Interreligious Focus], REL 4980[ Mysticism]

Philosophy of Religion concentration:

12 hours related to the study of Philosophy of Religion, selected from courses including, but not limited to: PHIL 1010 [Introduction to Logic], PHIL 2200 [Introduction to Philosophy], PHIL 3000 [Symbolic Logic], PHIL/REL 3210 [Ancient & Medieval Philosophy], PHIL 3230 [Modern Philosophy], REL 3570 [Philosophy of Religion], PHIL/REL 4500 [Buddhist Philosophy], PHIL/REL 4920 [Directed Reading, Philosophy of Religion focus], PHIL/REL 4990 [Independent Study, Philosophy of Religion focus]

E. Related Courses (18 hours)

As part of the general Arts & Letters requirements, the student must take 18 hours of related courses outside the Religions Studies program that have been approved by the student’s advisor. A minimum of 9 of these hours must be taken at the 3000-level or above. A Minor in another department may be used to satisfy the related courses requirement.

F. DEPARTMENTAL HONORS

Meet with the Departmental Major Advisor to discuss the qualifications and to develop a plan to meet the honors requirements. May be combined with any concentration or not.

Requires:

1) A 3.0 cumulative GPA and Junior or Senior status in order to seek Honors.
2) A 3.4 minimum cumulative GPA in REL courses. Transfer courses are not included.
3) Honors Thesis: REL 4960
4) Paper from 4000 Level Honors Seminar course REL 4***-91, 4***-92

RELIGIOUS STUDIES MINOR REQUIREMENTS

The University of Toledo offers a Religious Studies Minor program. All students minoring in Religious Studies must take a minimum of 18 hours in Religious Studies according to the following program:

A. Required courses (6 hours)

REL 2000 Intro. to Religion, REL 3570 Philosophy of Religion. (Recommended, but not required: Pro-Seminar)

B. Distribution Requirements (9 hours)

At least one course must be taken in each of the three Distribution areas listed below. One of the three courses must be taken at 3000-4000 level. The student may petition their advisor to have other courses substituted for the list below in fulfillment of the distribution requirement.

Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Toledo