Undergraduate Programs

 
TEL BETH SHEMESH
SUMMER PROGRAM
Laura Ertmer

Each summer, 25 IU students are chosen to participate in an archaeological dig 25 miles from Jerusalem. Students can earn 4 academic credits in the Department of Religious Studies which count as R300 or R511 class requirements. Financial aid and travel grants are available. Complete details can be obtained from the Office of Overseas Study, Franklin Hall 303 or by accessing the Tel Beth Shemesh Web site.

  

Degrees

IU Bloomington offers the following undergraduate degree:

B.A. in Religious Studies

Fundamental Skills

  • English Composition
  • Intensive Writing
  • Mathematics: must be completed with a C or better (will be fulfilled by the major)
  • Foreign Language: (4th Semester Proficiency)

Religious Studies Major Requirements (must be C- or better)

Must complete 27 credit hours with the following requirements:

  • One Critical Issues in Religious Studies course, above 100-level.
  • One Eastern religious traditions course, above 100-level.
  • One Western religious traditions course, above 100-level.
  • One course (other than R494, R495, R496, and R499) at the 400-level.
  • Twelve hours of the Religious Studies major must be taken on the IUB campus
  • Up to two 100 level courses can count toward the major if one of them is R152 or R153
  • Courses from outside the Department of Religious Studies will only be allowed to count toward the major if they are taught by an adjunct instructor to the Department.

Distribution Requirements

  • Overall GPA in major must be 2.00 or better
  • 122 total hours required (36 at 300-400 level)
  • 26 senior hours in residence

Departmental Honors Requirements

Religious Studies majors with a 3.3 overall grade point average are eligible for the honors program in Religious Studies. The honors program has two course requirements:

  • R399, a tutorial of independent reading and research. Students should choose an area of study for R399 that prepares them for the R499 project.
  • R499, a senior essay project, or an appropriate equivalent. Again, guidelines and application forms are available from the undergraduate advisor in Sycamore 230.

Overseas Study

Students are encouraged to study abroad, particularly in Indiana University overseas study programs, where they can continue to make progress toward their degrees and apply financial aid to program fees. For information about study abroad, contact the Office of Overseas Study, Franklin Hall 303.

Double Major

Religious Studies is a popular double major. Pre-med and pre-law students as well as others who plan to apply to graduate or professional schools are particularly encouraged to think of Religious Studies as a double major because it will give them-and demonstrate to admissions committees that they have-the depth and breadth of knowledge characteristic of outstanding candidates. Moreover, employers are increasingly looking for graduates who have a solid background in the humanities because of its cross-cultural and interdisciplinary nature, and combining the interdisciplinary training in Religious Studies with background in another major is a good way to prepare for this job market.

Religious Studies/Philosophy Interdepartmental Major

There are a number of undergraduates who wish to pursue the study of topics at the borderline between religion and philosophy. The religious studies/philosophy interdepartmental major has selected courses that tend more to reflect topics of common interest to both fields. While preserving as well as possible the distribution requirements within each major, the interdepartmental major has sought to liberalize those requirements in areas where common intellectual interests are not so obviously served—e.g., while not eliminating the logic requirement, the interdepartmental major does allow it to be met with a lower-level course. Students interested in the religious studies/philosophy interdepartmental major should seek an advisor in each department.

To complete the religious studies/philosophy interdepartmental major, students must take a minimum of 42 credit hours, including one course (from either department) in the philosophy of religion and the following course work:

Religious Studies Requirements for the Rel./Phil. Interdepartmental Major

  • At least 21 credit hours, with no more than one 100-level course counting toward the minimum and with at least 12 credit hours in 300-level or above courses.
  • At least one (above 100-level) course in each of the following areas:
    Eastern Religious Traditions
    Western Religious Traditions
    Critical Issues in Religious Studies
  • One (3 credit hour) 400-level Religious Studies course other than R495 or R499.

Philosophy Requirements for the Rel./Phil. Interdepartmental Major

  • At least 21 credit hours, with no more than one 100-level course counting toward the minimum and with at least 12 credit hours in 300-level or above courses.
  • At least one (above 100-level) course in each of the following areas:
    Ethics and Value Theory
    History of Philosophy
    Epistemology and Metaphysics
  • One of the following logic courses: P150 or P250
  • One (3 credit hour) 400-level Philosophy course

Interdepartmental Major in Religious Studies and African American and African Diaspora Studies

Requirements

Students must meet the following course requirements for a minimum total of 42 credit hours.

Religious Studies

  1. At least 21 credit hours, with no more than one 100-level course counting toward the minimum and with at least 12 credit hours in courses at the 300-level or above.
  2. At least one course (above the 100-level) in each of the following areas: 1. Western Religious Traditions. 2. Eastern Religious Traditions. 3. Critical Issues in Religious Studies.
  3. One course (3 credit hours) in Religious Studies at the 400-level other than R494, R495, R496, and R499.

If a student chooses to take the Senior Honors Thesis course pair of R399/R499, the chosen topic may cross over Religious Studies and African American and African Diaspora Studies, although minimum credit hours in each area must still be met. A faculty mentor of the student's choice will be assigned and graders from each department will read the final thesis. This requires an application and the approval of the director of Undergraduate Studies before authorization is granted to begin the project.

African American and African Diaspora Studies

At least 21 credit hours of which at least 12 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above.

  1. A150 Survey of the Culture of Black Americans
  2. A355 Afro-American History I or A356 Afro-American History II
  3. A379 Early Black American Writing or A380 Contemporary Black American Writing
  4. 9 additional credit hours taken from courses in any of the three concentration areas: (1) Arts, (2) Literature, or (3) History, Culture, and Social Issues. (Majors are strongly encouraged to take A363 Research on Contemporary Afro-American Problems I when it is taught.)
  5. Additional credit hours to reach the minimum of 21 credit hours to be chosen in consultation with advisor. These hours may include the Senior Seminar.