Religion
Department Office: 3080 Foreign Languages Building, 707 South Mathews, Urbana, (217) 333-2022
This major is sponsored by the Department of Religion.
Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum
E-mail: religion@illinois.edu
Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
A minimum of 51 hours of coursework is required for the major, including 30 hours of Religion courses. This includes (a) the core courses, (b) additional required courses that address the diversity of religious experience and traditions, and (c) nine courses in an approved area of concentration.
General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set
up so students automatically complete the Campus
General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: Distinction in the department is granted on the basis of excellence in the study of religion, as demonstrated in coursework and in a senior thesis written in the context of RLST 493. The final determination of distinction is by vote of the faculty of the Department of Religion.
Students must complete the core courses and additional required courses described below and one concentration.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | |
| 3 | RLST 108 Religion & Society in West, I |
or |
|
RLST 109 Religion & Society in West, II or equivalent1 |
|
| 3 | RLST 110–World Religions |
| 3 | RLST 230–Philosophy of Religion Intro or equivalent1 |
| 3 | RLST 450- Theories of Religion or equivalent1 |
Additional Required Courses |
|
| 6 | Two courses in the following: Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese Religions, or indigenous American religious practices, chosen from a list maintained in the departmental adviser’s office |
| 6 | Two courses in the following: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or religious practices of the ancient Near East, chosen from a list maintained in the departmental adviser’s office |
| 27 | Courses taken from one concentration below |
1. Chosen in consultation with the department advisor.
Concentrations
The courses should provide a broader perspective on the area of interest or provide information or training in related areas. Courses taken to satisfy the core course requirements may not normally be used to satisfy the requirements of the concentration. Note that each concentration identified below must include at least 27 hours of course work in that concentration. Hence in cases in which demonstrating linguistic competence does not involve taking courses for which credit is given towards fulfilling the requirements of the concentration, additional religion courses or supporting courses must be taken in consultation with an advisor for a total of at least 27 hours.
Asian Religions Concentration
Language: Competency equivalent to the level achieved by completion of two semesters of study in an Asian language approved by the Department of Religion.
Religion Courses: Four courses at the 200-level or above with at least one course in an East Asian tradition, and at least one course in a South Asian tradition.
Supporting Courses: Three related courses in East Asian or South Asian studies with two at the 200-level or above.
Christianity Concentration
Language: Competency equivalent to the level achieved by completion of two semesters of study of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew, or of other language approved by the Department of Religion.
Religion Courses: Four courses at the 200-level or above in Christianity.
Supporting Courses: Three related courses at the 200-level or above in the history, literature, or art of European or American cultural traditions.
Islam Concentration
Language: Competency equivalent to the level achieved by completion of two semesters of study of Arabic or of other language approved by the Department of Religion.
Religion Courses: RLST 213 or RLST 214; plus RLST 223 and two more courses at the 200-level or above.
Supporting Courses: Three related courses at the 200-level or above.
Judaica Concentration
Language: Competency equivalent to the level achieved by completion of two semesters of study of classical or modern Hebrew or of other language approved by the Department of Religion.
Religion Courses: Four courses at the 200-level or above in Judaica, including RLST 442.
Supporting Courses: Three related courses at the 200-level or above.
Philosophy of Religion Concentration
Religion Courses: Four courses at 200-level or above, including RLST 424.
Supporting Courses: Five courses in philosophy (three beyond the 100-level, another 400-level course in addition to RLST 424).
Religion in America Concentration
Religion Courses: Four courses on the practice of religion in America and on the experience of religious communities in America.
Supporting Courses: Five related courses in literature, politics, history, and/or culture in America.
Religion and Culture Concentration
Religion Courses: Four courses at the 200-level or above.
Supporting Courses: Five courses in two disciplines of the humanities or social sciences, three of the courses must be at the 200-level or above.
For All Concentrations
Twelve hours of 300- or 400-level courses in your major must be taken
on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the
LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75
hours). Please see your adviser.
Minor in Religious Studies
E-mail: religion@illinois.edu
Web address for department: www.religion.illinois.edu
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | RLST 110 - World Religions |
| 3 | One course in Ethics or Philosophy of Religion |
| Recommended courses are as follows: | |
RLST 230 - Philosophy of Religion Intro |
|
RLST 424 - Philosophy of Religion |
|
| 15 | Five additional courses: |
Two courses (6 hours) must be from an Asian religious tradition (Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam, with at least one course in Hinduism and Buddhism) |
|
Two courses (6 hours) must be from the Western religious traditions (Biblical Studies, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, with at least one course in Biblical Studies, Judaism, or Christianity) |
|
| 21 | Total hours |
No more than nine (9) hours may be selected from courses at the 100
level.
At least six (6) hours must be selected from courses at the 300 or
400 level.