Religious Studies (BA)

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Program Title

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Program Description

The study of religion is fundamentally an interdisciplinary endeavor, involving a variety of intellectual approaches in the analysis of diverse expressions of religious phenomena and cultures around the world. Reflecting the methodological and substantive breadth of the field of religious studies, the religious studies major at Susquehanna University is designed to accomplish the following student learning goals:

Learning Goals

To develop the ability to critically analyze primary religious texts
To use various interpretative perspectives (literary, historical, theological, ideological, etc.) in deriving meaning from religious texts
To engage with at least one non-Western religious tradition in historical and geographical context
To think critically and cross-culturally about ethical questions in relationship to themselves, society and/or the world
To engage critically with issues and problems in contemporary societies as they relate to religious thought and/or practice
To conduct substantive research (finding, consulting and engaging both primary and secondary resources and making preliminary connections and conclusions from the same) and present this research in written form
To reflect upon and assess work in critical and constructive ways by applying concepts, theories and methods within academic and professional contexts

Double-counting Restriction

Students majoring in religious studies may double-count a maximum of 12 semester hours toward another major.

Departmental honors requirements

The honors program in religious studies encourages and commends outstanding academic work. To graduate with departmental honors in religious studies, students must do the following:
• Complete requirements for the major,
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 overall and at least 3.50 in religious studies, and
• Perform outstanding academic work in religious studies capstone.