UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002	[ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]

Religion is one of the creative expressions of the human spirit. As such, it has shaped and, in turn, been shaped by virtually all historical traditions as well as by many other forms of human activity such as the arts, literature, political thinking, and social behavior. The academic study of religion, therefore, should be undertaken through diverse scholarly methodologies, and it should treat experiences in a variety of cultural contexts in different periods. Students who wish to understand the manner in which religion, in its broadest terms, has contributed to the shaping of the human experience are encouraged to undertake a course of study that will expand their methodological skills as well as give them a firm command of a particular cultural or historical context. Courses in the study of religion tend to emphasize the human search for meaning and value in history; the manner in which particular religious traditions, practices, thoughts, and orientations have evolved over time; and the degree to which religious views have interacted creatively with other systems of thought and other meaningful expressions of human activity. In addition to courses in the Department of Religious Studies, related courses are offered in other departments as well, such as anthropology, classics, history, philosophy, and sociology. For more information on the department and its programs, see http://www.pitt.edu/~relgst/.

• Major Requirements

  The religious studies major consists of 27 credits in religious studies courses, at least half of which must be taken at the 1000 level. The required credits are divided between four components:

  • At least one course in the theory or method of religious study, such as one of the following:
    • RELGST 0705 (Approaches to the Study of Religion)
    • RELGST 0710 (Sociology of Religion)
    • RELGST 0715 (Philosophy of Religion)
    • RELGST 1610 (Myth, Symbol, and Ritual)
    • RELGST 1630 (Ritual Process)
    • RELGST 1650 (Approaches to the Study of Anti-Semitism)
    • RELGST 1710 (Perspectives on Religion)
    • RELSGT 1760 (Religion and Rationality)

  • At least four courses in one area of specialization, three of which must be at the 1000 level. Examples of areas of specialization include religion in America, religion in Asia, Christian studies, Jewish studies, and religion and politics.

  • At least two courses in an alternative tradition of a comparative nature, and one additional course complementary to those two, at least one of which must be at the 1000 level.

  • A one-term independent study/research project (RELGST 1903) developed and pursued in consultation with a faculty sponsor. The project must result in a major research paper which will serve to bring together the principle accentuated in the studentās work within the department and will satisfy the CAS departmental W-requirement.

• Additional rules and requirements of religious studies majors are as follows:
  • Majors must earn a grade of C in each departmental course taken. Courses required for the major must be taken on a letter grade basis.

  • Students should check with the departmental advisor for the credit by examination option.

  • The required CAS 12-credit related area may encompass study of literature, language, art, or history of a culture the student is seeking to understand, or disciplines or processes that are related to religion, such as social change, mythology, symbolism, and literature. Students may use foreign languages as their related area, but those languages must show some relationship to the primary religion or cultural context within the major. Students planning to attend graduate school should know that competence in those languages related to the culture they will be studying is mandatory. The department strongly encourages development of language skills during undergraduate years.

UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002	[ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]