Religious Studies (BA)
Students in the field of religious studies gain a basic knowledge of the history, central texts (where applicable), beliefs, and practices of religious traditions and develop skills that enable them to discern the religious dimensions of our political, social, and cultural life.
Curriculum
Students may pursue one of three tracks in the religious studies major:
- the standard major;
- an honors track; and
- an interdisciplinary studies track
The honors track is a more rigorous version of the standard major and is intended for students seeking to pursue graduate studies in the field of religious studies or who plan to teach religious studies in high school. Students in the field of religious studies gain a basic knowledge of the history, central texts (where applicable), beliefs, and practices of religious traditions and develop skills that enable them to discern the religious dimensions of our political, social, and cultural life. This new interdisciplinary studies track is designed so that students may take the religious literacy gained from their religious studies coursework and relate that knowledge to other areas of study such as health, political science and global studies, education, the various areas within the humanities, and journalism. One course in the interdisciplinary studies major in particular is designed to help students with this task of relating knowledge gained from religious studies to other disciplines. In THEO 280, students will undertake a research project that integrates knowledge gained from their coursework in religious studies with another discipline.
Requirements
All major tracks require 36 hours of coursework - seven (7) required courses and five (5) electives. At least five (5) of the 12 courses required for the major must be at the 300-level or higher.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Traditions | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Christian Theology 1,2 | ||
| Christian Ethics | ||
| New Testament | ||
| Sacraments and the Christian Imagination | ||
| Jesus Christ | ||
| Roman Catholicism | ||
| Christianity Through Time | ||
| Christian Thought: Ancient-Medieval | ||
| Christian Thought: Reformation to Modern | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Judaism | ||
| Hinduism | ||
| Islam | ||
| Buddhism | ||
| Religions of Asia | ||
| Religious Comparisons or Themes Course | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Religious Studies | ||
| Global Religious Ethics | ||
| Religion & Gender | ||
| Seminar (various titles) | ||
| Religious Studies Elective Courses | ||
| Select five elective courses 3 | 15 | |
| Capstone | 3 | |
| For the Standard major: | ||
| Religious Traditions 4 | ||
or THEO 280 | Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies | |
| For the Honors track: | ||
| Religious Traditions 5 | ||
| For the Interdisciplinary Studies track: | ||
| Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies 6 | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Eligible students in the Standard Major and the Interdisciplinary Studies Track may substitute HONR 101 Western Traditions - Antiquity to the Middle Ages/HONR D101 Developments Western Thought I Discussion, THEO 190 Loyola's Mission: Ignatian Traditions, or PHIL 190 Loyola's Mission: The Philosophical Vision for THEO 100 Christian Theology.
- 2
Eligible students in the the Honors Track may substitute HONR 101 Western Traditions - Antiquity to the Middle Ages/HONR D101 Developments Western Thought I Discussion for the Doctrine requirement.
- 3
THEO 200 level or higher. Up to three (3) courses may be taken outside of the Theology department with prior permission from the undergraduate program director. For students in the Interdisciplinary Studies track, two 300 level electives courses must be taken in a single discipline if outside of Theology.
- 4
With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, students may replace THEO 353 Religious Traditions with THEO 373 Theology Capstone. THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies must be taken as an Engaged Learning Course.
- 5
With prior approval from the undergraduate program director, students may replace THEO 353 Religious Traditions with THEO 373 Theology Capstone
- 6
THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies must be taken as an Engaged Learning Course.
THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies may be taken to fulfill a major requirement, depending on the course topic. Please consult your department for more information.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The Standard Major
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the major. Students should consult the undergraduate program director for assistance with course selection.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Religious Comparisons Course (THEO 107) | 3 | |
| Religious Comparisons Course (THEO 186) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Christian Traditions Course (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #1 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #2 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #3 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 200-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 353 | Religious Traditions | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
The Honors Track
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the major. Students should consult the undergraduate program director for assistance with course selection.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Religious Comparisons Course (THEO 107) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Christian Traditions Course (200-Level or higher) | 3 | |
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #1 (200-Level or higher) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #2 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #3 (300-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 300-Level or higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300-Level or higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Religious Comparisons Course (THEO 393) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 353 | Religious Traditions | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Eligible students may substitute HONR 101 Western Traditions - Antiquity to the Middle Ages/HONR D101 Developments Western Thought I Discussion, THEO 190 Loyola's Mission: Ignatian Traditions, or PHIL 190 Loyola's Mission: The Philosophical Vision for THEO 100 Christian Theology.
- 2
With prior approval of UPD, up to three 300 level elective courses may be taken from outside of the Theology department. Two 300 level elective courses in a single discipline must be taken from courses outside of Theology.
- 3
THEO 280 Religion & Interdisciplinary Studies must be taken as an Engaged Learning Course.
The Interdisciplinary Track
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for the major. Students should consult the undergraduate program director for assistance with course selection.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Religious Comparisons Course (THEO 107) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #1 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #2 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Non-Christian Traditions Course #3 (200-Level or Higher) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Religious Comparisons Course (THEO 393) | 3 | |
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Christian Traditions (THEO 317 or 318) | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| THEO 300-Level or Higher Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone (THEO 280) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Additional Requirements for the Honors Track
Students may apply for the Honors track after the completion of Theology Core.
At least a 3.5 GPA in the major and in overall coursework is required.
Transfer-Student Residency Requirement
At least 18 credit hours of RELS-BA requirements must be completed at Loyola
Double-Dipping Policy
This department observes the CAS Double-Dipping Policy regarding unique credits required for each declared major/minor.
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Religious Studies Major and the Honors Track should be able to:
- Explain the history of different ways of understanding the category of religion.
- Describe two or more religions within their particular contexts.
- Describe relationships between a religion and other social contexts.
- Describe approaches to ethics in two or more religions while noting internal diversities.
- Write a research paper using academic sources and methods in religious studies.
Students completing the Interdisciplinary Studies Track should be able to:
- Describe various ways of understanding the category of religion.
- Describe basic sources and historical development of beliefs and practices of at least two religions.
- Analyze a religious text using academic tools.
- Describe the ethical implications of the religious beliefs and traditions of at least one religion for another discipline of study.
- Explain the relationship between at least one religious tradition and another discipline.
- Complete a research project or internship experience that effectively integrates knowledge of at least one religious tradition with another discipline.