Dec 26, 2024

2024-2025 General Catalog

Religious Studies - BA, BS

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of History

About This Degree

Religious studies majors learn to be thoughtful about the influence of religion upon culture and the influence of culture upon religion.

They learn to analyze the influence of religious values and concepts on individuals and communities. They gain competence in thinking about how humans make meaning in the face of confusing and sometimes painful realities. Through examining these and other issues concerning religion, students develop strong research, communication, and imaginative skills that are highly valued by employers.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

For more information about Religious Studies, see the Religious Studies website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an academic advisor, Stacey Kelly, (435) 797-3883, stacey.kelly@usu.edu
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) and Quantitative Intensive (QI) of the student’s choice.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

First Year Students: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.5 GPA

Additional Information

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, Major; 2.0, Cumulative

Minimum Grade Accepted: C in all major requirements

Students must complete at least 33 credits in interdisciplinary coursework. A grade of C or better must be earned in all classes used for the major. Major requirements may not be taken for a pass/fail grade.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all of the requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent) OR
Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and bypassing an exit interview OR
Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent) OR
Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students OR
TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Program Director: Patrick Mason
Location: Main 321U
Phone: (435) 797-0572
FAX: (435) 797-3899
TTY: (435) 797-1290
E-mail: patrick.mason@usu.edu
www.religiousstudies.usu.edu

College of CHaSS Advising Center: Stacey Kelly
Location: MAIN 106
Phone: (435) 797-3883
E-mail: stacey.kelly@usu.edu

Utah State University, 0107 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-0107
www.chassadvising.usu.edu

Required Courses in Major (36 credits)

To earn the BS or BA in Religious Studies, students must successfully complete 36 credits (12 courses), as follows:

Core Courses (6 credits)

Students must take both core Religious Studies courses, preferably in sequence:

RELS 1010 - Introduction to Religious Studies (BHU) 3 credit(s)
RELS 4990 - Religious Studies Senior Seminar 3 credit(s)

Traditions Courses (12 credits)

Students must take courses focusing on at least four different religious traditions, with at least one course from both of the following groups:

Group A

Group B

Christianity

RELS 3050 - Introduction to Christianity (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3290 - Studying the New Testament 3 credit(s)
RELS 4230 - The History of Christianity in the West (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4230 - The History of Christianity in the West (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)

Islam

RELS 3030 - Introduction to Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3030 - Introduction to Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
ARBC 3030 - Introduction to Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 4560 - Women in Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4560 - Women in Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 4565 - Medieval Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4565 - Medieval Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 4566 - Global Faces of Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4566 - Global Faces of Islam (DHA) 3 credit(s)

Judaism

RELS 3060 - Introduction to Judaism (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3060 - Introduction to Judaism (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3190 - The Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in Context 3 credit(s)

Mormonism

RELS 3080 - Mormonism and the American Religious Experience (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3080 - Mormonism and the American Religious Experience (DHA) 3 credit(s)

Religious Studies Elective Courses (18 credits)

Students may choose any of the courses listed above (not already taken), or any of the courses listed below. Courses are subject to change, and students should consult with their academic advisor when selecting courses.

RELS 1070 - Religion, Violence, and Peace (BHU) 3 credit(s)
RELS 1090 - Introduction to Interfaith Leadership (BHU) 3 credit(s) or
ANTH 1090 - Introduction to Interfaith Leadership (BHU) 3 credit(s)
RELS 2050 - The Historical Jesus in a First Century Jewish Context 3 credit(s)
RELS 3125 - Religion & Science: Examining a Complex History of Interaction 3 credit(s)
RELS 3160 - Anthropology of Religion (DSS) 3 credit(s) or
ANTH 3160 - Anthropology of Religion (DSS) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3165 - Bridging Religious Difference in Theory and Practice: an Introduction to Interfaith Leadership 3 credit(s) or
ANTH 3165 - Bridging Religious Difference in Theory and Practice: an Introduction to Interfaith Leadership 3 credit(s)
RELS 3170 - Descent and Return: Ancient Views of Hades and the Afterlife 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3170 - Descent and Return: Ancient Views of Hades and the Afterlife 3 credit(s) or
CLAS 3170 - Descent and Return: Ancient Views of Hades and the Afterlife 3 credit(s)
RELS 3210 - Classical Mythology 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3210 - Classical Mythology 3 credit(s)
RELS 3220 - Medieval European Civilization, 500-1500 (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3220 - Medieval European Civilization, 500-1500 (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3270 - The Crusades (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3270 - The Crusades (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3410 - The Modern Middle East 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3410 - The Modern Middle East 3 credit(s)
RELS 3430 - History of Ancient Religions 3 credit(s)
RELS 3456 - History of South Asia (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3470 - Religion and Politics in South Asia 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3470 - Religion and Politics in South Asia 3 credit(s)
RELS 3510 - Islamic Visual Cultures (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s) or
ARTH 3510 - Islamic Visual Cultures (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 3830 - The History of Yoga 3 credit(s) or
HIST 3830 - The History of Yoga 3 credit(s)
RELS 4350 - Greek Intellectual History 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4350 - Greek Intellectual History 3 credit(s)
RELS 4520 - Religious Studies Editing Internship 1-3 credit(s)
RELS 4730 - History of Black America (CI) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4730 - History of Black America (CI) 3 credit(s)
RELS 4790 - American Religious History 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4790 - American Religious History 3 credit(s)
RELS 4825 - Historical Roots of the War on Terror (DHA) 3 credit(s) or
HIST 4825 - Historical Roots of the War on Terror (DHA) 3 credit(s)
RELS 4910 - Special Topics in Religious Studies 1-3 credit(s)
RELS 4930 - Directed Readings 1-3 credit(s) (This course may only be taken once to fulfill major requirements unless special permission is obtained.)
RELS 5195 - Interfaith Leadership Practicum Experience 3 credit(s)
RELS 5740 - Art and Religion: Topics in Sacred Art 3 credit(s) or
ARTH 5740 - Art and Religion: Topics in Sacred Art 3 credit(s)
ANTH 4160 - Evolution of Religion: The Cognitive Science of Religion and Faith 3 credit(s)
ARTH 2710 - Survey of Western Art: Prehistoric to Medieval (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ARTH 3620 - Early Christian and Byzantine Art (DHA) 3 credit(s)
ARTH 3630 - Medieval Art (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)
HIST 3150 - Roman History (CI) 3 credit(s)
HIST 3230 - Early Modern Europe (DHA) 3 credit(s)
HIST 3850 - History of Utah (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)
HIST 4250 - The Reformation in Britain: 1450-1688 3 credit(s)
HIST 4710 - American Indian History 3 credit(s)
HIST 4711 - Northern Ute History (DHA) 3 credit(s)
LING 2500 - Language & Religion 3 credit(s)
PHIL 1320 - The Good Life (BHU) 3 credit(s)
PHIL 2600 - Introduction to Philosophy of Religions (BHU) 3 credit(s)
PHIL 3010 - Survey of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (CI) 3 credit(s)
PHIL 3600 - Philosophy of Religion (DHA) 3 credit(s)
PHIL 4250 - Tolkien and Lewis on Myth and Truth 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Religious Studies BA, BS

Religious Studies BA, BS - 4 Year Degree Map