Department of Religious Studies
Marilyn Harran, Ph.D.
Charles Hughes, D.Phil.
Nancy M. Martin, Ph.D.
Marvin Meyer, Ph.D.
Joseph Runzo, Ph.D.

Bachelor of Arts
The religious studies department offers a major designed to address some of the most interesting and compelling issues in human life. Courses in religious studies explore such themes as the meaning of life and death, questions of faith and reason, the nature of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, and the religious options presented by other religions of the world. In this way, the department re&Mac223;ects the broad ecumenical and pluralistic interests of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the founding denomination of the university.

One of the advantages of the major in religious studies is its &Mac223;exibility. Students are encouraged to develop a program that meets their own personal and professional goals. Majors plan their curriculum within the context of the broad liberal arts interests of the university, and thus they often take, in addition to their classes in religion, a wide range of courses in the humanities and social sciences.

In addition to pre-ministerial preparation, the study of religion offers excellent preparation for graduate work and successful careers in such fields as medicine, law, government, business, or journalism. Many religious studies majors go on to obtain graduate degrees in religion from universities or theological schools, and embark on careers in teaching, research, or ministry. The department maintains a file of catalogs of major seminaries and graduate schools, and can advise students concerning preparation for graduate work in religion.

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

General Emphasis
lower-division requirements (15 credits)
Rel 110 Religion and Values 3
Rel 115 Living Religions of the World 3
Rel 120 Global Ethics and Religion 3
Rel 125 Philosophy of Religion 3
Rel 200 Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures(Old Testament) or
Rel 201 Introduction to the New Testament 3

upper-division requirements (15 credits)
Rel 305 Interpretation of the New Testament or
Rel 317 Interpretation in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) 3
Rel 306 The Middle Ages or
Rel 318 The Reformation 3
Rel 310 From Socrates to Aquinas or
Rel 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard 3
Rel 335 Hinduism and the Religions of India or
Rel 336 Buddhism 3
Rel 307 Germany and the Holocaust or
Rel 308 God, the Good Life, and Sex or
Rel 325 Albert Schweitzer: His Life and Thought 3

electives (9 upper-division credits) 9
(chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor)

senior project (3 credits) 3

total credits 42

Emphasis in Philosophy and Religion
(See page 93.)
Minor in Religious Studies
The minor is offered for students who would like to play a more supportive and knowledgeable role in the life of their church or synagogue or who have a significant interest in religion.

requirements (18 credits)
Rel 110 Religion and Values or
Rel 115 Living Religions of the World 3
Rel 120 Global Ethics and Religion or
Rel 125 Philosophy of Religion 3
Rel 305 Interpretation of the New Testament or
Rel 317 Interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) 3
Rel 306 The Middle Ages or
Rel 318 The Reformation 3
Rel 307 Germany and the Holocaust or
Rel 308 God, the Good Life, and Sex or
Rel 325 Albert Schweitzer: His Life and Thought 3
Rel 335 Hinduism and the Religions of India or
Rel 336 Buddhism 3

Recognizing that many students who are considering a career in the ministry choose to major in a field other than religion, we suggest the following courses for those who wish to gain a foundation for seminary study:

Rel 125 Philosophy of Religion 3
Rel 200 Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) or
Rel 201 Introduction to the New Testament 3
Rel 310 From Socrates to Aquinas or
Rel 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard 3
Rel 335 Hinduism and the Religions of India or
Rel 336 Buddhism 3

Departmental Honors
To be considered for departmental honors students must complete six credits in Rel 370 or 499 with a grade of “A” and maintain a grade point average of 3.3 in all other course work in the department.

The Honors Program

University Honors
Students who are admitted to the Honors Program ordinarily meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) combined SAT scores of 1250 or above or ACT scores of 28 or above; 2) GPA of 3.7 or above; 3) ranking in the top 10 percent of one’s high school class; and 4) outstanding achievement that is documented by a project, performance, or letters of recommendation. To graduate with University Honors, students must complete an Honors Minor. Honors classes satisfy general education requirements within the discipline in which they are offered.

Honors Minor
choose four from the following core courses
Hon 204 In Search of Knowledge 4
Hon 301 Gods, God, and Ultimate Values 3
Hon 302 In Search of Self 3
Hon 303 In Search of Relationships 3
Hon 304 In Search of Reality: Media, Self, and Society in the 20th Century 3
Hon 305 In Search of People in Nature 3

choose two courses from the following
Hon 346 Topics in Honors Travel Courses 3-4
Hon 351 Topics in Social and Historical Issues 3
Hon 352 Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies 3
Hon 353 Topics in Philosophy and Religion 3
Hon 354 Topics in Literature and Film 3
Hon 355 Topics in Science and Technology 3
Satellite Course – any course cross-listed in Honors 3

Hon 496 Senior Seminar 1-3

total credits 19-23

All students who wish to complete a University Honors minor must, in addition to fulfilling the above requirements, give a presentation to the Honors faculty and students at the end of the spring semester in their senior year. The date of the presentation will be announced at the beginning of the spring semester.