Religious Studies, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Member of the Division of Humanities

Chair(s):

Henry W. Morisada Rietz

Faculty:

Timothy S. Dobe
Caleb H. Elfenbein (also History)
Edmund T. Gilday
Tyler T. Roberts

When you study the world’s religious traditions, you learn about the histories, literatures, practices, and beliefs that have shaped not only the world’s religious traditions, but also human societies and cultures. You study rituals and festivals that give meaning to time and place; disciplines that develop modes of perception and attention; ideas of holiness, justice, and love through which human beings have expressed their highest ideals; and discourses and institutions that have wielded great political and social power.

Majors in religious studies will be required, above all, to develop the capacities fundamental to the liberal arts: clear communication, critical thinking, and the careful and open-minded exploration of ways of life different from one’s own. Some majors pursue religious studies as preparation for graduate study in religion and a teaching career at a college or university. Some go on to theological school and a career in ministry. Most majors, however, apply the skills and sensibilities developed through the study of religion to a variety of other professions, such as law, medicine, education, or international relations.

Majors generally focus on either Asian or Western religions, but all majors are required to take at least one course in each area. All majors are also required to take the Third-Year Seminar on Theory and Method in the Study of Religion and one other advanced (300-level) seminar. Majors who expect to undertake graduate study should gain a reading knowledge of at least one classical or modern foreign language. All majors are encouraged to study abroad.

Major Requirements: A minimum of 32 credits

With permission (see below), up to eight of the 32 credits may be taken in related studies outside the department. Required are:

One course in Asian religions and one course in Western religions;
One 100-level course (REL 111 , REL 115 , or REL 117 ), with a maximum of two of these courses (REL 111 plus either REL 115 or REL 117 ) eligible for credit toward the major;
REL 311 ; and
One other advanced seminar (numbered 350 or above).

Additional Information

Application to the department for approval of credit toward the major for Grinnell courses not listed under the religious studies rubric, and for courses taken at other institutions or through off-campus study programs, needs to be made in writing in advance of taking the course. More information is available from the chair.

Honors

To be considered for honors in religious studies, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College’s general requirements for honors and the department’s general requirements for the major, must have achieved a minimum G.P.A. within the department of 3.7 and a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.50; produced scholarship judged excellent by members of the department; and demonstrated exemplary academic citizenship.