Religious Studies

[1] Purposes

The UCA Religious Studies Program exists to provide a diverse student population with comprehensive knowledge of a variety of global religious/spiritual traditions; critical understanding of the personal, social, and cultural dimensions of religion; and advanced preparation of students pursuing graduate and/or professional studies, transferable skills to enter the workforce and/or become civic members of the community.

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate critical inquiry and analysis, communication skills (including oral, written, and collaborative skills), ethical frameworks, and appreciation of cultural diversity as applied to a variety of religions understood as complex personal, social, and cultural phenomena.

Goal 2: Students will acquire foundational understanding as well as specific knowledge of major religious traditions, including: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Confucianism, and Islam.

Goal 3: Students will be encouraged to participate in experiential learning opportunities, including internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, and service learning. These practices are strengthened by interdisciplinary collaboration.

Goal 4: Students will gain transferable skills as valuable preparation for career readiness or entrance into graduate and/or professional studies.

Goal 5: Following the University Diversity Strategic Plan, the Religious Studies program will promote diversity in recruitment and retention, support, and knowledge.

[2] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Arts

The degree of Bachelor of Arts, with a major in religious studies, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) major and related requirements listed below; and (3) a minor as worked out with the student’s minor advisor.

[2.1] Major in Religious Studies

Religious Studies majors are recommended to take courses in the major to satisfy their upper-division Core requirements. Students must take three hours in courses designated in each of the four Core competencies, Critical Inquiry (I), Communication (C), Diversity (D), and Responsible Living (R). However, if they so choose, students are free to fulfill their upper-division Core requirements with courses from other departments. Religious Studies majors are strongly encouraged to take their Capstone course (Z) from one of the courses designated (Z) within the Religious Studies program, but are able to fulfill their Capstone requirement from another program if necessary.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Religious Studies enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Majors are encouraged to chart their own pathway through the Religious Studies degree in their choice of electives. They may declare one of the three guided pathway concentrations—Religion in Self and Society, Religion and the Professions, or Religion and the Arts (see §2.1.4)—or they may create their own by choosing from the list of electives in §2.1.3.

[2.1.1] Core requirements (12 hours)

Introductory Course – one course from the following:

Theories and Methods:

Asian Religious Traditions – one course from the following:

Monotheistic Religious Traditions – one course from the following:

[2.1.2] Related requirements (3–9 hours)

Religious Studies majors must complete a three-credit-hour foreign language course at the 2000-level or above as well as all course prerequisites. Students with prior experience in a language are strongly encouraged to take a placement exam before enrolling in their first course. Information about foreign language placement can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin, School of Language and Literature, § 3, Credit by Examination. Note: CSD 2303 Basic Sign Language, CSD 4303 Intermediate Sign Language, and transferred Guided/Extended Study (i.e., correspondence) courses will not be accepted in fulfillment of the foreign language requirement.

[2.1.3] Electives (21 hours)

Electives may be chosen from among all religious studies courses not used to complete the Religious Studies core requirement (§2.1.1).

[2.1.4] Pathways in the Major

The Religious Studies major offers three distinct Pathways for students to concentrate their studies: (1) Religion in Self and Society, (2) Religion and the Professions, and (3) Religion and the Arts. Students may declare one of these Pathways or create their own with their choice of electives.

[2.1.4.1] Religion in Self and Society

Religion in Self and Society illustrates how religion is entangled with all of our conceptions of who we are as a person and in terms of our society and culture. Students in this Pathway must complete 21 total hours of elective courses in Religious Studies, with at least 12 hours from the courses listed below. Students are strongly encouraged to take an Internship course that gives them experience in global engagement and/or social action.

Religion in Self and Society Courses

[2.1.4.2] Religion and the Professions

Religion and the Professions emphasizes the vocational elements of a Religious Studies degree. Students in this Pathway must complete 21 total hours of elective courses in Religious Studies, with at least 12 hours from the courses listed below. Students are strongly encouraged to take an Internship course that gives them professional experience in an area into which they expect to embark.

Religion and the Professions Courses

[2.1.4.3] Religion and the Arts

Religion and the Arts offers students a way to engage and explore Religious Studies and the Arts, broadly defined, but including Art History, English, Anthropology, Philosophy, Popular Culture, Film, Music, and Theatre, including Sacred Art and Literature. Students in this Pathway must complete 21 total hours of elective courses in Religious Studies, with at least 12 hours from the courses listed below.

[2.2] Honors in the Majors: Religious Studies

Students who major in religious studies and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Majors program. For details, see the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

[2.3] Minor in Religious Studies (18 hours)

[2.3.1] Core requirements(12 hours):

Introductory Course – one course from the following

Theories and Methods:

Asian Religious Traditions – one course from the following

Monotheistic Religious Traditions – one course from the following

[2.3.2] Electives (6 hours)

Electives may be chosen from among all religious studies courses not used to complete the Religious Studies core requirement (§2.3.1).

[3]Course Links

[3.1] Courses in Religious Studies (RELG)

Follow this link for RELG course descriptions: course link.

[3.2] Other Courses in the Religious Studies Program

Follow this link for ANTH course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ART course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ENGL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for HIST course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for PHIL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for SOC course descriptions: course link.