Description of the Undergraduate Program in Religion

Knowledge of religion is critical in today's world. The academic study of religion at Syracuse University offers students the opportunity to explore religion in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary context. Students who take courses in religion learn to interpret the dynamics of religious convictions, actions and expressions. Religious traditions and practices engage such questions as What kind of life is most worth living? How do we understand the nature of the world? How do we relate to ourselves and to others? Students study religious life and thought from the perspectives of arts, ethics, gender, history, literature, mythology, philosophy, political theory, psychology, scriptural studies, social sciences, and theology. The academic study of religion is a critical undertaking and an often transforming experience introducing students to unfamiliar aspects of their own world, and to the religious realities of our global situation.

The Department of Religion has articulated three goals that shape its teaching and its expectations of what students in its courses and programs may expect to gain from this study:

1. to understand better the nature and diversity of religious expressions in the contemporary world and in history, and their power in peoples' personal and collective lives;
2. to think more deeply and critically about religious experience and its modes of expression and forms of interpretation;
3. to recognize and appreciate the difficulties and possibilities in a disciplined study of religion; and to become aware of a diversity of approaches and methods within that study.

Major Requirements

The major requires 30 credits of appropriate work, approved in consultation with the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies. Because of the interdisciplinary character of religion courses, it is crucial that the following clusters (in depth and breadth/diversity) be delineated and approved in consultation with the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies, in keeping with the following conditions:

1. at least 4 courses that ensure depth by clustering around one of the following: a) particular tradition (e.g., Buddhism, Judaism) b) particular geographical area or historical period (e.g., America, South Asia) c) particular thematic (e.g., philosophy, popular culture)
2. at least 3 courses that ensure breadth and/or diversity of study, as decided in consultation with the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies
3. REL 391
4. of the 10 courses, 6 must be at the 300 level or above
5. up to 6 credits may be earned in individualized work within the Department of Religion (e.g., independent study, honors thesis)
6. up to 6 credits may be earned in advisor-approved courses outside the Department of Religion

Minor Requirements

Students take 18 credits of appropriate and approved work in keeping with the following conditions:

1. at least 12 credits in courses numbered 300 or above;
2. all credits will be taken in courses offered by the Department of Religion.

Students interested in majoring or minoring in religion should contact the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in 501 Hall of Languages, 443-3861.

Major With Distinction

Students who qualify may earn a BA degree in Religion "with distinction." Qualifications and requirements for this special honor include 1) completion of the Religion major with a 3.5 GPA in program courses and a cummulative 3.4 GPA by the end of the senior year; 2) study of at least one foreign language through the 201 (intermediate) level; and 3) preparation for (REL 498, 3 credits) and writing and defense of a senior thesis.

Important Related Programs

• Judaic Studies Program
• Middle Eastern Studies Program
• Native American Studies
• Religion and Society Program
• South Asia Studies