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Religious Studies Major

*** Information about degree requirements and courses is provided here for unofficial reference only and should NOT be used as a replacement for advising. It is imperative that you refer to the official Edgewood College course catalogue and consult with your advisor to ensure you are meeting your degree requirements.

Policies

Students planning a major or minor in Religious Studies should consult with an advisor in the Religious Studies Department at the beginning of their program. Normally, a minimum of 20 credits for the major or 10 credits for the minor must be taken in Religious Studies at Edgewood College. Any transfer of religious studies credits is subject to evaluation by the department.

Focus Areas

Students may wish to focus their coursework in one of the following areas: Biblical Studies, Religious Traditions, Eco- Spirituality, Social Justice, or Pre-Theological Studies. An advisor in the Religious Studies department will assist you in choosing appropriate courses. Students interested in youth, campus, family, pastoral, liturgical, social justice, or other specialized ministries are encouraged to supplement their Religious Studies major with appropriate minors or concentrations in disciplines related to this work. The RS advisor will assist in exploring and choosing among the options.The Religious Studies curriculum at Edgewood includes three areas of investigation; Scriptures and Sacred Texts, Religious Traditions & Theologies and Religion in the Human Community.

Religious Studies Major Degree Requirements

A minimum of 40 credits, to include:

Two foundational courses (8 credits) from Scriptures & Sacred Texts:

  • RS 210 RU Jesus and the Gospels AND
  • RS 310 OR 314 RU God and the Hebrew Bible or New Testament Christianity

Two foundational courses (8 credits) from Religious Traditions & Theologies:

  • RS 225 GR Religious and Spiritual Traditions of the World AND
  • RS 324 RXU Exploring Christian Thought OR
  • RS 330 GR The Evolution of Global Christianity OR
  • RS 341 Catholic Theology for the 21st Century

Two courses (8 credits) from Religion in the Human Community:

  • RS 101 1ER Spirituality and the Environment OR
  • RS 147 1R Spirituality and Justice OR
  • RS 247 Christian Religious Experience AND
  • RS 498 Religious Studies Senior Seminar

In addition to these courses, students choose a minimum of 16 additional credits* selected from the three areas of study:

*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, including Senior Seminar. The remaining 8 credits are also selected from any of the three areas. Professional courses (for example, teaching methods, practica, and internships) are taken in addition to the minimum of 40 credits in academic courses.

Scriptures & Sacred Texts (0 to 12 additional credits selected from):

  • RS 310 RU God and the Hebrew Bible
  • RS 314 RU New Testament Christianity
  • RS 414 Scripture: Advanced Study
  • RS 416 Oral Interpretation and Biblical Preaching

Approved Biblical Courses offered through the UW-Madison Collaborative Program.

Religious Traditions & Theologies (0 to 12 additional credits selected from):

  • RS 220 Jewish Life and Thought
  • RS 250 Catholicism
  • RS 265 Religious Traditions of the East
  • RS 324 RXU Exploring Christian Thought
  • RS 330 GR The Evolution of Global Christianity
  • RS 341 Catholic Theology for the 21st Century
  • RS 356 2GR Challenge of Islam
  • RS 422 Reformation and Counter- Reformation
  • RS 455 Topics in Religious Studies

Religion in the Human Community (0 to 12 additional credits selected from):

  • RS 201/202 2ER Sustainability in a Dominican Studium
  • RS 218 Images of Faith in Literature and Film
  • RS 240 Christian Responsibility and Moral Development
  • RS 247 Christian Religious Experience
  • RS 307 2GR Liberation Theologies in Latin America
  • RS 308/309 2DR Liberation Theology and The Dismantling of Racism I & II
  • RS 322 2QR Contemporary Jewish Life and Thought
  • RS 327 Religions and Contemporary Issues
  • RS 328 Strong Religion: Fundamentalism
  • RS 331 Christian Worship
  • RS 343 Women and Religion
  • RS 345 Religion and Society
  • RS 406 Learning, Beliefs & Action for the Common Good
  • RS 431 Sacramental Celebrations
  • RS 450 Religion and Science
  • RS 452 Topics in Religious Studies

Independent Research & Writing (0 to 6 additional credits from):

  • RS 279 Independent Reading and Research
  • RS 379 Independent Reading and Research
  • RS 499 Workshop in Religious Studies

In addition to the 40 credits, all students majoring in Religious Studies will:

  • 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 College 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.