Religious Studies, B.A.

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General Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements (124 Cr.)

Major Requirements (Minimum 28 Cr.)

Core Requirements (8 Cr.)

REL 100 - Religion and Society Credits: 3
REL 300 - Human Experience and Faith Expression: Theories and Methods Credits: 3
REL 493 - Senior Seminar in Religious Studies Credits: 2

Distribution Requirements (6 Cr.)

Take two 200-level survey courses from two of the three field areas.

Sacred Texts: 201-202

Faith Traditions: 221-235

Social Issues and Ethics: 251

REL 201 - Survey of Biblical Literature Credits: 3
REL 201WIC - Survey of Biblical Literature Credits: 3
REL 202 - Reading the Bible Across Culture & Time Credits: 3
REL 202WIC - Reading the Bible across Culture & Time Credits: 3
REL 221 - Christianity Credits: 3
REL 223 - Judaism Credits: 3
REL 225 - Islam Credits: 3
REL 225WIC - Islam Credits: 3
REL 231 - Hinduism Credits: 3
REL 235 - World Religions Credits: 3
REL 251 - Christian Theology and the Moral Life Credits: 3

Electives (Minimum 14 Cr.)

Take a minimum of 14 credits from the following:

1 additional 200-level survey

300-400 level courses, including practica

REL 301 - Creation Narratives: Interfaith Conversations about Origins Credits: 3
REL 302 - Apocalyptic Literature: From the Bible to Modern Dystopias Credits: 3
REL 303 - Prophetic Preaching: Past and Present Credits: 3
REL 307 - The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth Credits: 3
REL 311 - Quranic Studies Credits: 3
REL 314 - Hindu Sacred Texts and Motifs Credits: 3
REL 315 - Narratives of Love in South Asian Literature Credits: 3
REL 322 - To the Ends of the Earth: Christian Missions and Culture to 1500 Credits: 3
REL 323 - Christian Mysticism and Spirituality Credits: 3
REL 325 - Luther and the Age of Reformations Credits: 3
REL 327 - Topics in Christian Liturgy Credits: 3
REL 331 - Islamic Law Credits: 3
REL 334 - South Asian Rituals and Performances Credits: 3
REL 335 - Sacred Geographies Credits: 3
REL 336 - Modernity, Migration, & the Merging of Cultures Credits: 3
REL 337 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
REL 338 - Human Nature: Religious & Philosophical Perspectives Credits: 3
REL 351 - The Bible and Politics Credits: 3
REL 352 - Heroines and Harlots: Women in the Bible Credits: 3
REL 354 - Muslim Identity in Media and Literature Credits: 3
REL 356 - Calling and Purpose in Religious Traditions Credits: 3
REL 357 - Bioethics Credits: 3
REL 358 - Ethics, Morality, and Justice: Religious and Philosophical Perspectives Credits: 3
REL 359 - Disability, Society, & Culture Credits: 3
REL 361 - Christianity and the World in Crisis Credits: 3
REL 362 - The Secular & the Sacred in Modern Life Credits: 3
REL 365 - Anthropology of the Body Credits: 3
REL 366 - Bollywood Movies: Religion, Popular Culture, and Society Credits: 3
REL 385 - Care of Self, Care of Others Credits: 3
REL 386 - Practicum in Ministry Credits: 1
REL 390 - Topics in Religious Studies Credits: 3
REL 495 - Supervised Reading and Research in Religious Studies Credits: 1
REL 497 - Honors Work in Religious Studies Credits: 3
REL 498 - Honors Candidacy in Religious Studies Credits: 3

Degree Map

The following is a guide to the 28 minimum credit major (shaded below). Students will need an additional minor or a major in another discipline. Students may follow a different configuration in consultation with their Religious Studies advisor.
REL 100 is the prerequisite for all other REL courses.
At the 200-level, majors take at least 2 survey courses from 2 of the 3 field areas: Sacred Texts, Faith Traditions, and Social Issues and Ethics
Students in Christ College would begin their program with CC 215 - The Christian Tradition .
Students interested in clinical caregiving and ministry should take REL 385 - Care of Self, Care of Others as the prerequisite for REL 386 - Practicum in Ministry (2-3 credits).
Allen Scholars and others interested in a track toward church work will register for REL 399 Symposium for Christian Leadership and Formation (0 cr.).

Credits: 124 required to graduate with a B.A. (this map charts 125)

Freshman Year

Fall: Semester 1

VUE 101 - Valparaiso University Experience: Exploring Values Credits: 4
REL 100 - Religion and Society Credits: 3
General Education Credits: 3
General Education: Health and Wellness Credits: 1
General Education: World Language Credits: 4

Total Credits: 15

Spring: Semester 2

VUE 102 - Valparaiso University Experience: Finding Your Voice Credits: 4
General Education: Natural Science w/lab Credits: 4
General Education: World Language Credits: 4
REL 200-level survey Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Sophomore Year

Fall: Semester 3

REL 200-level survey WIC (Writing Intensive) Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Spring: Semester 4

REL 300 - Human Experience and Faith Expression: Theories and Methods Credits: 3
REL 300-400 elective Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor: Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor: Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor: Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Junior Year

Fall: Semester 5

REL 385 - Care of Self, Care of Others Credits: 3
REL 300-400 elective Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Spring: Semester 6

REL 386 - Practicum in Ministry Credits: 1
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3

Total Credits: 17

Senior Year

Fall: Semester 7

REL 493 - Senior Seminar in Religious Studies Credits: 2
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3

Total Credits: 17

Spring: Semester 8

REL 300-400 elective Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3
General Education/Other Major or Minor Credits: 3