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 30 hours of coursework is required for the major. This includes (a) RLST 230 (Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction) or RLST 231 (Religion and Philosophy), and (b) completing a Capstone Course, as explained below.
At least 15 of the 30 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level, and no more than 9 hours may be at the 100 level.
Each student must complete two courses in any of the following: Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese Religions, or indigenous American religious practices, chosen from a list maintained in the departmental adviser's office. And each student must complete two courses in any of the following: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or religious practices of the ancient Near East, chosen from a list maintained in the departmental adviser's office.
Additionally, each student will establish a primary and secondary field of study. For the primary area of study, a student must complete a minimum of three courses (nine credit hours), and for the secondary area two courses (six credit hours) are required. An individual course may not be counted twice toward fulfilling the requirements of the primary and secondary areas of interest. (Students are encouraged to complete more than the minimum of three courses in the primary area of study.)
The following are the areas of study: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Philosophy of Religion, Religion in America, or individually designed area of study chosen with the approval of the departmental advisor.
Capstone Experience:
Research paper for one 400-level course in RLST: Each major must make special arrangements with a professor teaching a 400-level RLST course to conduct a significant research project that results in a research paper of 20 pages (minimum). The goal of this requirement is to ensure that each RLST major has conducted a significant research project. RLST 493 can be used to satisfy this requirement.
Students considering graduate study in Religion are urged to consult with professors on the necessary preparation for graduate study in their area of interest.
General education: Students must complete the Campus
General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: To be considered for departmental distinction a student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.5. Distinction is granted on the basis of a senior thesis written in the context of RLST 493. The level of distinction is based on evaluation of the thesis.
Students must complete the core courses and additional required courses described below and one concentration.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Minimum of 30 hours of Religion courses including: | |
| 3 |
PHIL 230–Philosophy of Religion Intro (same as RLST 230), or
RLST 231- Religion and Philosophy
|
| 12 | Distribution Requirement: Courses taken must include: (a) 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 and (b) 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. |
| 9 |
Three courses in a primary area of study1
|
| 6 |
Two courses in a secondary area of study1
|
| 3 |
Capstone Experience: a 400-level RLST course in which a research project is undertaken and a 20 page research paper is written. This course can be RLST 493 and can also be used to fulfill part of the distribution or primary or secondary area of study requirement. |
1. Areas of study include: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Philosophy of Religion, Religion in America, or an individually designed area of study approved by the departmental advisor. Courses chosen to fulfill the primary area of study cannot also be used to fulfill the secondary area of study.
Twelve hours of 300 or 400-level courses in your major must be taken on this campus.
Foreign Language Requirements: The major in Religious Studies does not require any foreign language study beyond meeting the University's general foreign language requirement. However, majors are strongly encouraged to learn the languages relevant to their primary field of study and to begin that course of study as soon as possible. Please consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Religion or a professor in your area of interest about appropriate foreign language study.
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.