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Religious Studies Degree Requirements
A minimum of 40 credits in Religious Studies, to include:
1. Six Religious Studies Core Courses:
Area A: Scriptures/Sacred Texts
Two courses (8 credits)
RS 210A F8 Introduction to the Literature of the Bible: Hebrew Scriptures
RS 210B F8 Introduction to the Literature of the Bible: Gospels
Area B: Religious Traditions
Two courses (8 credits)
RS 225 F8 Introduction to Major Religious Traditions
RS 230 F8 History of Christianity
Area C: Religion in the Human Community
One course (4 credits) on values and moral decision-making, selected from the following:
RS 240 F8 Christian Responsibility and Moral Development
RS 242 F8 Moral Responsibility and the Ethics of Healthcare
RS 247 F8 Christian Religious Experience
Senior Seminar in Religious Studies
Onc course (4 credits):
RS 498 Senior Seminar
2. In addition to the core courses, students chose a total of 16 additional credits* selected from the three areas of study:
Area A: Scriptures/Sacred Texts
0 to 12 additional credits selected from:
RS 210C F8 Introduction to Literature of the Bible: Acts, Letters
RS 220 Jewish Life and Thought: Torah
RS 221 Jewish Life and Thought: Prophets
RS 222 Jewish Life and Thought: Writings
RS 414 Scripture: Advanced Study
Area B: Religious Traditions
0 to 12 additional credits selected from:
RS 220-223 Jewish Life and Thought
RS 224 F8 Introduction to Christian Thought
RS 250 F8 Catholicism
RS 265 Religious Traditions of the East
RS 341 Catholic Theology for the 21st Century
RS 343 Women and Religion
RS 422 Reformation and Counter-Reformation
RS 451-455 Topics in Religious Studies
RS 456 Challenge of Islam
Area C: Religion in the Human Community
4 to 16 additional credits selected from:
RS 218 F8 Images of Faith in Literature and Film
RS 226 Religious Perspectives on Contemporary Issues
RS 240 F8 Christian Responsibility and Moral Development
RS 242 F8 Moral Responsibility and the Ethics of Healthcare
RS 247 F8 Christian Religious Experience
RS 305 Human Issues Seminar in Religion and Public Life I
RS 331 Christian Worship
RS 345 Religion and Society
RS 405 Human Issues Seminar in Religion and Public Life II
RS 431 Sacramental Celebrations
RS 451-455 Topics in Religious Studies
*Note: the total of 40 credits normally includes a minimum of 16 credits in one area, a minimum of 8 in each of the other two areas, and Senior Seminar. The remaining 4 credits are also selected from any of the three areas.
3. In addition to the 40 credits, all Religious Studies Majors will:
- complete the appropriate sections of the RSComputer Competency Checklist for each year in the program.
- prepare an Academic Portfolio to be reviewed by the Religious Studies faculty at the end of each academic year.
- prepare an Academic Portfolio to be reviewed by the Religious Studies faculty at the end of each academic year
- submit at least one major research paper for presentation at an Edgewood Student Research, Religious Studies, or similar conference during their last 4 semesters.
- complete the minimum 120 credits required by the college with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.85.
