2001-03 Catalog
Religious Studies Requirements

Religious Studies courses provide students with the opportunity and the skills to analyze the role and significance of religion in human life and culture, to reflect on the nature and meaning of religious belief, to explore various theologies and religions, and to appropriate thoughtfully the Judaeo-Christian intellectual and spiritual tradition.

The aim of religious studies courses as a part of the General Education Program is to bring students to approach religion as an academic discipline, to lead them to critical awareness of the problems of religious faith, and to acquaint them with various theologies and religions and their impact on human life. In all its offerings, the discipline requires students to grapple with those ultimate questions which are everyone's constant companions, to consider them critically from the viewpoint of revelation, and to attempt to formulate adequate answers for them.

In the undergraduate major in religious studies, the student is introduced to a program defined by the development and implementation of scholarly methods and analytical tools in the study of religion as a human phenomenon, namely the literary, theological, historical, and ethical. The student is also encouraged to engage in independent study and must participate in a research seminar. The course of study provides a solid grounding not only for those who wish to pursue graduate academic and pastoral studies in the field, but also for those who intend careers in religious education and in church ministry.

As a major program in the liberal arts, religious studies enriches the student's capacity for ambiguity and diversity, and cultivates critical thinking and sound argumentation, thus supporting the student in a wide range of professional career choices.

The academic minor augments the backgrounds of students whose major programs are in the social and natural sciences and complements those of students whose concentrations are from within the Humanities and Fine Arts. The minor in liturgical studies features the distinctive component of a supervised internship in a local parish.

Killeen Chair of Theology and Philosophy: The program in theology is enhanced by the Killeen Chair which provides the opportunity to bring to campus each year for short periods of time nationally and internationally known figures in theology.

Graduate School Advisor: Dr. Howard Ebert

Major (10 courses):

Required courses:

RS 106, 114, 250, 300, 420, 433, and 460. Students seeking Education certification must also take one of the following: GS 413, RS 330, 342, or 350.

Elective courses:

Three RS courses, two of which must not be from the General Education courses.

Religious Studies majors will not be able to count any of the above courses as satisfying their General Education Upper Biennium Area 1 requirement.

Religious Studies Major with Youth Ministry Emphasis (14 courses):

Required courses: RS 106, RS 114, RS 250, RS 300, RS 420, RS 433, RS 460, and RS 494; select two non-general education RS courses.

Select four of the following: DS 220, PS 312, PS 325, CO 122, CO 222, LS 200, and LS 378.

The internship course would incorporate special methods in youth ministry. Students would have experienced some observation of youth ministry work in the Practical Theology course.

Academic Minor (6 courses):

Required courses:

RS 106; one course from RS 114, 320, and 433; two courses not designated as General Education.

Elective courses: Two from any RS courses, including GS 406 or 413.

Those students interested in future CCD work should take RS 106, 114, 332, 360, and 420 for certification.

Academic Minor in Liturgical Studies (6 courses):

Required courses: RS 106, 114, 242, 312, 316 and one non-GE RS elective.

Teaching Minor (6 courses):

Required courses: RS 106; one course from RS 114, 360, 420, 433, and one course from RS 221, 245, 344, or 350.

Elective courses: Three from any RS courses.

Religious Studies · Religious Studies Course Descriptions

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