Dec 05, 2024  
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Religious Studies Major


Pascale Engelmajer Associate Professor of Religious Studies
James Grimshaw Associate Professor of Religious Studies

The Religious Studies Program offers a major and a minor in religious studies.

The religious studies major is designed to provide students with depth and breadth in the study of religion as universal to human experience, fundamental to human efforts to find meaning in the universe, and central to cultures around the world, past and present. As an inherently interdisciplinary field, the study of religion incorporates a wide variety of approaches, including historical, psychological, sociological, anthropological, literary, and philosophical. In addition to being provided opportunities to reflect extensively on the big questions of human existence, students majoring in religious studies become familiar with many religious traditions, and are equipped with multiple ways of thinking about the nature of religion, its role in society, and its place in the lives of individuals. Religious studies majors may go on to careers in counseling, journalism, ministry, social work, or any number of other professions requiring strong critical thinking skills, good writing ability, and careful reading. Graduate school in a variety of fields is possible, and religious studies majors historically score very well on the LSAT for law school admission. As a minor, Religious Studies can very effectively supplement a number of majors, including, for example, literature, history, writing, psychology, or Philosophy, Political Science and Economics. Likewise, the philosophy minor not only provides a strong grounding in reasoning skills, but also background in the variety of ways human beings think about, and have thought in the past about, what matters and why.

Learning Outcomes for Religious Studies

Upon successful completion of major requirements students should be able to:

  1. Articulate how religion has the power to shape individual lives and social values.
  2. Critically read, evaluate, and write on the foundational texts and the significant ideas, concepts, and questions in the study of religion.
  3. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Christian traditions including critically reflecting on the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Christian history and theologies.
  4. Show a basic understanding of a breadth of religious traditions including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Native American traditions.
  5. Use library research tools specific to religious studies, and religious studies methodologies to construct papers, essays and class presentations.
  6. Use these perspectives and skills to become a responsible citizen in a religiously plural world.
  7. Identify, analyze, and compare understandings of the meaning of life, the human condition, and the nature of the good life in several religious traditions.

Core Courses


Two Introductory Courses (100 Level)


One Advanced Course (400 Level)


Six Intermediate Courses (200 and 300 Level)


Six intermediate courses (200 and 300 level); at least two must be from 300 level:

Two in Christian Tradition


Two Electives


  • One 200 or 300-level course in Religious Studies or Philosophy
  • One 200 or 300-level course in History, Philosophy, or Political Science

Bachelor of Arts Requirements


The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts are:

  • Students must take 8 credits in the same modern language (MLL) other than English, this does not include American Sign Language. Carroll University will accept a total of 8 transferred credits from another college/university as long as all 8 credits are completed in the same language.
  • **International students who have English as their second language should contact the Registrar concerning the Modern Language requirement.
  • 4 Hour(s) or higher
  • 4 Hour(s)
  • Degree requirements cannot be waived.

Note:


Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major