Religious Studies

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Requirements for Major

In order to complete a major in religious studies, each student must:

A. Complete a minimum of ten graded courses (30 credits) within the Department of Religious Studies.

1. Primary Concentration: Take at least three courses (9 credits) in one of the world’s major religious traditions as a primary concentration: African religions (RELA), Buddhism (RELB), Christianity (RELC), Hinduism (RELH), Islam (RELI) or Judaism (RELJ).

At least one of these courses (3 credits) must be at the 3000-level or above.
RELG 1010 and RELG 1040 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

2. Secondary Concentration: Take at least two courses (6 credits) in another of the world’s religious traditions as a second concentration. (Both courses must be in the same religion.)

RELG 1010 and RELG 1040 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
Cross-listed courses may count toward either concentration with the exception of RELC/J 1210 which must count toward the primary concentration if the primary concentration is in Christianity or Judaism.

3. Diversity Requirement:

a. If the first and second concentrations are in Buddhism and Hinduism, or Buddhism and African religions, or African Religions and Hinduism, then one course must be taken in Christianity, Islam or Judaism.

RELG 1010 can be used to fulfill this requirement.

b. If the first and second concentrations are in Christianity and Islam, or Christianity and Judaism, or Islam and Judaism, then one course must be taken in African religions, Buddhism, or Hinduism.

RELG 1040 can be used to fulfill this requirement.

4. Take three courses (9 credits) of the ten required at the 3000 level or above. Courses taken to fulfill requirements #1 and #2 may be used to fulfill this requirement.

5. Take RELG 4500 (Majors’ Seminar).

B. A grade of C (2.0) or above must be achieved in each course offered for the completion of the Religious Studies major.

Students interested in declaring a major may obtain the major declaration form in the Religious Studies Office, or in Monroe Hall. Prospective majors must consult with a faculty member in order to plan their courses and to choose an advisor.

C. Courses from other University Departments

The Department permits a total of twelve credit hours of coursework to be taken outside the Department, in other University of Virginia departments and outside the University, to be counted towards the Major. Of these, a maximum of six credit hours may be taken in other University departments, from a list of designated University courses. For this list, see the Undergraduate secretary or the Department Website. Approval cannot be given for courses that are not on this list at the time of enrollment.

Requirements for Minor

In order to complete a minor in Religious Studies, each student must complete a minimum of five graded courses (15 credits) within the Department of Religious Studies. Two courses (6 credits) must be in one of the world’s major religious traditions as a primary concentration. At least one of the five required courses (3 credits) must be taken at the 3000 level, or above. A grade of C (2.0) or above must be achieved in each course offered for the completion of the Religious Studies major.

A maximum of three credit hours of coursework may be taken outside the Department either from another University department (see list of designated courses) or from outside the University, and counted towards the Religious Studies Minor.

Distinguished Majors Program

The Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in Religious Studies affords qualified students the opportunity to do advanced research, and to receive, at graduation, the honor of high distinction or highest distinction.

Entry into the program

Students qualify for the program if they have achieved an average of 3.400 GPA in all course work prior to application for the program.
Students who declare as a religious studies major in the spring of their second year will be eligible for entry into the program in the fall of their third year.
Applicants cannot be considered earlier than the spring of their second year. Students must declare by the spring of their third year.
Application should be made to the director of the religious studies distinguished majors program.
The applicant must obtain, in advance of their application, a religious studies faculty member’s agreement to direct the reading and thesis research, as well as a second reader from the department.
Admission into the program will be considered by the department’s Committee on Undergraduate Studies.

Requirements for completion of the program:

Completion of normal major requirements of 30 credits (including the Majors Seminar, RELG 4500).
At least six of these must be at the 5000 level, to be completed by the end of the first semester of the fourth year;
In addition to the 30 credits required for the major, three hours of directed reading with a faculty member in a specific field of study for the thesis are required in the first semester of the program (RELS 4998 DMP Thesis I), followed by a thesis course in the second semester for an additional three more credits (RELS 4999 DMP Thesis II).
The thesis should be thirty to fifty pages in length. Final copies must be submitted both to the Director of the distinguished majors program and to the directing professor no later than May 1st for Spring graduation, and for August graduation, and December 1st for December graduation. A final copy must also be submitted to the department archives.

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Undergraduate Program Director, Department of Religious Studies, P.O. Box 400126 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4126; (434) 924-6705.
www.virginia.edu/religiousstudies.

Course Descriptions

Religious Studies

Requirements for Major

A. Complete a minimum of ten graded courses (30 credits) within the Department of Religious Studies.

B. A grade of C (2.0) or above must be achieved in each course offered for the completion of the Religious Studies major.

C. Courses from other University Departments

Requirements for Minor

Distinguished Majors Program

Entry into the program

Requirements for completion of the program:

Additional Information

Course Descriptions

African Religions

Buddhism

Christianity

General

Hinduism

Islam

Judaism

Special Topics