Religious Studies (16RSM)

Description

Students who take a minor program in Religious Studies are required to complete, with a grade of C or better, fifteen (15) hours of courses in selected fields of Religious Studies. In order to ensure a wide study of the field, students are required to select at least one course in each of the following categories: Historical Methods, Textual Methods, and Critical/Theoretical Methods. As part of these requirements, it is expected that at least one of these classes focus on Western religious traditions and at least one on non-Western traditions. Electives may be filled from any of these courses or from other Religious Studies course offerings. (REL 101 and REL 102 may not be counted in the minor.) No courses for the minor may be taken for S/U credit.

Requirements

  • 15 hours (5 courses) of course work is required to complete the minor in Religious Studies.
  • Students are required to select at least 1 course in Western Religious Traditions and at least 1 course in non-Western religious traditions.
  • REL 101 and REL 102 may not be counted in the minor.
  • A minimum grade of ‘C-‘ is needed in all courses taken toward the minor.
  • A maximum of TWO (2) courses may be used (double-counted) towards both departmental major requirements and minor requirements.

Required Courses

The department will determine whether courses which have been transferred from other institutions qualify for the minor. No more than two courses from other institutions may count toward the minor. Students must select at least one course in each of the following categories: Textual Methods, Historical Methods and Critical/Theoretical methods.

Historical Methods Courses:

  • REL 230 South Asian Religious Traditions
  • REL 317 Christianity
  • REL (HI) 320 Religion in American History
  • REL 331 The Hindu Tradition
  • REL 332 The Buddhist Traditions
  • REL 333 Chinese Religions
  • REL 334 Japanese Religions
  • REL 340 Islam
  • REL 350 Introduction to Judaism
  • REL (HI) 402 Early Christianity to the Time of Eusebius
  • REL (HI) 407 Islamic History to 1798
  • REL (HI) 408 Islam in the Modern World

Textual Methods Courses:

  • REL 311 Introduction to the Old Testament
  • REL 312 Introduction to the New Testament
  • REL 314 Introduction to Intertestamental Literature
  • REL 412 Advanced Readings in the Christian Gospels
  • REL 413 The Life and Letters of the Apostle Paul
  • REL 484* Myth and History in Religious Biography (*inactive course)
  • REL 491 Advanced Readings in Religious Literature

Critical/Theoretical Methods Courses:

  • REL (SOC) 309 Religion and Society
  • REL 323 Religious Cults, Sects, and Minority Faiths in America
  • REL 327 Issues in Contemporary Religion
  • REL 383 Religion, Globalism, and Justice
  • REL 423 Religion & Politics in 20th Century America
  • REL (STS) 471 Darwin and Chritianity
  • REL (WGS) 472 Women & Religion
  • REL 473 Religion, Gender, and Reproductive Technologies
  • REL 482 Religion and Conflict
  • REL 489 Interpretations of Religion

Western Traditions

  • REL 311 Introduction to the Old Testament
  • REL 312 Introduction to the New Testament
  • REL 314 Introduction to Intertestamental Literature
  • REL 317 Christianity
  • REL (HI) 320 Religion in American History
  • REL 323 Religious Cults, Sects, and Minority Faiths in America
  • REL 350 Introduction to Judaism
  • REL (HI) 402 Early Christianity to the Time of Eusebius
  • REL 412 Advanced Readings in the Christian Gospels
  • REL 413 The Life and Letters of the Apostle Paul
  • REL 423 Religion and Politics in America

Non-Western Traditions

  • REL 230 South Asian Religious Traditions
  • REL 331 The Hindu Tradition
  • REL 332 The Buddhist Traditions
  • REL 333 Chinese Religions
  • REL 334 Japanese Religions
  • REL 340 Islam
  • REL (HI) 407 Islamic History to 1798
  • REL (HI) 408 Islam in the Modern World

Elective Courses

Six (6) hours of additional elective REL courses (REL 101 and REL 102 may not be counted in the minor). Students are required to select at least one (1) course in Western Religious Traditions and at least one (1) course in non-Western religious traditions.

Admissions and Certification of Minor

The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her degree program. Paperwork for certification can be found in Departmental Offices and should be completed no later than during the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State.

Contact Persons

Dr. Jason C. Bivins
447 Withers,
919.515.6102,
jcbivins@ncsu.edu

SIS Code:  16RSM

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION