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worldstudies.vcu.edu/academics/relstudies
The mission of the Religious Studies Program at VCU is to advance understanding of the nature, history and diversity of religious traditions.
Religious studies is guided by the idea that studying humanity's diverse and developing religious traditions is vital to understanding what it means to be human and how to live wisely as members of the world community. Students explore the artistic, ethical, literary, psychological and social dimensions of religions, as well as the relationship between religious ideas, institutions, and practices and matters of gender, sexuality, race, nationality, health, social justice, human rights and nature.
Religious studies emphasizes excellence in written, oral and visual interpretation and communication, critical thinking, informed dialogue, and global citizenship. Combining classroom- and community-based learning through study-abroad programs, internships and community service, religious studies empowers students to engage intellectually and practically with diverse communities and work to build a peaceful, generous and affirming society.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
- Demonstrate knowledge of diverse religious traditions
- Utilize the vocabulary, concepts and research methods of the academic study of religion
- Analyze the influence of religions on ethics, society and culture
- Make clear, well-organized and substantive written and oral presentations
Experiential learning and study abroad
Each student completing a degree program within the School of World Studies is required to complete a World ePass as part of their experiential learning requirement; students are also encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. For more information on the ePass portfolio and study abroad opportunities, students may visit the overview page for the School of World Studies.
Special requirements
The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 30 credits in religious studies courses or in courses listed as acceptable for religious studies credit. Up to six of the 30 credits may be taken in language studies relevant to one's area of research interest and with the appropriate approval through the School of World Studies Advising Office. Other courses occasionally may be substituted should the needs and background of an individual student warrant substitutions. Religious studies majors are encouraged to consider a second major or minor that complements their study of religions (e.g. English, international studies), as well as study-abroad opportunities to enrich their studies.
Degree requirements Religious Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| RELS 338 | Eastern Religions | 3 |
| RELS 339 | Western Religions | 3 |
| RELS 340/INTL 341 | Global Ethics and the World's Religions | 3 |
| RELS 490 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| • Major electives | ||
| RELS electives: Select an additional four courses from the list below, with at least six credits at the 400 level. | 12 | |
| Select two religion, society and culture electives from the list below. | 6 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| RELS 108 | Human Spirituality (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | 0 | |
| • Experiential fine arts 1 | 1-3 | |
| • Experiential learning | 0-3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Major-specific service-learning course | ||
| Study abroad program | ||
| Internship (FRLG 493, INTL 493, RELS 493, WRLD 493 or other preapproved internship opportunities) | ||
| • Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 47-58 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Course offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Religion, society and culture | ||
| RELS 250 | Death: Myth and Reality | 3 |
| RELS 310 | Mediterranean Religions | 3 |
| RELS/PSYC 333 | Psychology and Religious Experience | 3 |
| RELS 334 | Religion in Contemporary America | 3 |
| RELS 336 | Religions in Latin America | 3 |
| RELS 337 | Contemporary Cults and New Religious Movements | 3 |
| RELS/SOCY 360 | Sociology of Religion | 3 |
| RELS 361 | The Bible as Literature | 3 |
| RELS/GSWS 371 | Women in Islam | 3 |
| RELS 414 | Incarceration and Spirituality: _____ | 3 |
| RELS 422 | Religion and Film | 3 |
| RELS 450/INTL 449 | Religion, Globalization and Social Justice | 3 |
| RELS/AFAM/INTL 451 | Religion, Racism and Social Justice | 3 |
| RELS/GSWS/INTL 453 | Western Religions, Women and Social Justice | 3 |
| RELS electives | ||
| RELS 280 | Introduction to Catholic Studies | 3 |
| RELS 291 | Topics in Religious Studies | 1-3 |
| RELS 300 | What is Religion? | 3 |
| RELS 301 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible | 3 |
| RELS 302 | Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| RELS 305 | Hebrew Prophets | 3 |
| RELS 306 | Judaism | 3 |
| RELS/AFAM/INTL 307 | Black Religion | 3 |
| RELS 315/HIST 301 | The Ancient Near East | 3 |
| RELS/INTL 317 | Islam | 3 |
| RELS 318/HIST 333 | History of the Jewish People I | 3 |
| RELS 319/HIST 334 | History of the Jewish People II | 3 |
| RELS 320 | Taoism | 3 |
| RELS 321 | Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS/PHIL 322 | Tibetan Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS 324 | Indian Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELS/PHIL 326 | Existentialism | 3 |
| RELS 327/HIST 335 | History of Christianity I | 3 |
| RELS 335 | The American Jewish Experience | 3 |
| RELS 338 | Eastern Religions | 3 |
| RELS 339 | Western Religions | 3 |
| RELS 350/INTL 360 | World Religions' Classics | 3 |
| RELS 354 | Religion and Film: _____ | 3 |
| RELS 362 | Shakespeare and Religion | 3 |
| RELS 365 | Archaeology and Religion: _____ | 6 |
| RELS 380 | Global Catholic Thought | 3 |
| RELS 391 | Topics in Religious Studies | 3 |
| RELS 398 | Directed Study Abroad | 1-8 |
| RELS/LFSC 401 | Faith and Life Sciences | 3 |
| RELS 407 | Modern Jewish Thought | 3 |
| RELS/INTL 409 | Modern Islamic Thought and Global Trends | 3 |
| RELS/PHIL/INTL 412 | Zen Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS/ANTH/INTL 425 | Religion, Magic and Witchcraft | 3 |
| RELS/PHIL 430 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| RELS/PHIL 440 | Mysticism | 3 |
| RELS/INTL 441 | Islamic Mysticism: the Sufis | 3 |
| RELS 458 | Religion and Ecojustice | 3 |
| RELS 491 | Topics in Religious Studies | 3 |
| RELS 492 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| RELS 493 | Religious Studies Internship | 1-3 |
| HIST 311 | High and Later Middle Ages | 3 |
| HIST 335/RELS 327 | History of Christianity I | 3 |
| HIST 336 | History of Christianity II | 3 |
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| RELS 108 | Human Spirituality (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 1 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language 101 | 3 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations) | 3-4 | |
| Term Hours: | 14-17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| RELS 338 or RELS 339 | Eastern Religions or Western Religions | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 102 | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| RELS 339 or RELS 338 | Western Religions or Eastern Religions | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| RELS 340 | Global Ethics and the World's Religions | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Religion, society and culture elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| RELS elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Religion, society and culture elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| On-campus or study abroad semester | ||
| RELS elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Summer semester | ||
| Study abroad (recommended); credits completed during study abroad will decrease open electives needed in subsequent semesters | 0-6 | |
| Term Hours: | 0-6 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| RELS 493 or RELS 490 | Religious Studies Internship (or other experiential learning opportunity if not already met) or Senior Capstone Seminar | 1-3 |
| RELS elective (400-level) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 11-12 | |
| World ePass completion | ||
| Term Hours: | 15-18 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| RELS 490 or RELS 493 | Senior Capstone Seminar (if not taken in the fall) or Religious Studies Internship | 3 |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 |
| RELS elective (400-level) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-132 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.