Bachelor of Arts Religion and Culture
The BA in Religion and Culture provides scholarly, critical, nonsectarian study of religions. Students study religious beliefs, practices, identities and organizations, and how they have influenced and been influenced by other aspects of society and culture. The degree program includes a broad survey of several world civilizations as a basis for understanding their religious traditions, both as they developed historically and with their modern interactions and transformations. Students study the origin, history, and methods of the academic study of religion. They are introduced to methodological issues in the study of religion, and learn to use methods appropriate to different kinds of problems. The department’s curriculum includes some courses called “Humanities” (HUMA) and others called “Religion” (REL).
The small size of classes and seminars in the Religion and Culture BA program encourages close relationships between students and faculty. Working closely with faculty, students learn to formulate problems clearly, to consider and evaluate different methods and concepts, to do efficient and thorough research, and to write clearly, concisely and effectively, culminating in work in rigorous senior seminars, with the option of writing an individually advised senior thesis.
For information or advising, contact the Program Advisor or the Global Humanities and Religions Department Office.
Students interested in the Religion and Culture degree should contact the Major Advisor as soon as possible. There are no prerequisites for declaring the major.
Major Requirements
· Four courses (18-20 credits) under advisement from: HUMA 121, 122, 123, 243, 271, 273, 275, 277, 278; REL 232, 233, 234, 265, 283, 290
These may include a maximum of two from the following: HIST 232, 233, 289; HNRS 103, 104, 105, 106
The selected 100-level and 200-level courses must cover at least two different regions of the world.
· REL 231 – Intro to the Study of Religion or HNRS 219 – Colloquium in Religious Studies (5 credits)
· HUMA 302 – Methods of Interdisciplinary Study (5 credits)
· REL 303 – Methods in the Study of Religion (5 credits)
· Three courses (12-15 credits) under advisement from: HUMA 321, 362; REL 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 336, 338, 340, 341, 342, 345, 375 (or EAST 375), 378, 380 (or EAST 380), 382 (or EAST 382), 390 These three courses may include one of the following: A/HI 370; ANTH 330; ENG 336; HIST 321, 335, 360, 361, 486; PHIL 335; PLSC 480; SOC 342
· Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option (16 credits):
· Two courses (10 credits) from: HUMA 421, 422, 423, 425, 427, 429, 490; REL 424, 426, 428, 490
· REL 498 – Readings for Research in Humanities (3 credits)
· REL 499 – Research in Humanities (3 credits)
Non-Thesis Option (15 credits):
· Three courses (15 credits) from: HUMA 421, 422, 423, 425, 427, 429, 490; REL 424, 426, 428, 49
For more information see 2024-2025 Course Catalog
Religion & Culture B.A. Advising
Professor Holly Folk
Bond Hall 158
Summer Office Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:10-1:40pm or by appointment