Religious Studies Major (B.A.)

Major code BA5218*

College of Arts and Sciences
Classics and Religious Studies
Ellis 201B
Phone: 740.597.2100
classics@ohio.edu
https://www.ohio.edu/cas/classics/undergraduate/religious-studies-major

Brian Collins, contact person
collinb1@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Religious texts, beliefs, and practices are central to being human, as is conflict over religion. Religious Studies majors acquire both a theoretical knowledge of the components and dynamics of religions and a specific knowledge of religious ideas and pratices. Our courses cover Judaism, early Christianity, Greek and Roman religions, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Each student chooses an area of specialization, and learns a foreign language connected with that specialization. Students in the Religious Studies major have also majored in English, history, and sociology. Religious Studies majors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher can complete a departmental honors thesis in one or two terms for 3-6 credit hours in addition to the regular requirements for the major. Preapproved application and interview required.

*This program was previously BA5215 - World Religions. Students entering either under either name/code in the 2024-25 catalog year will have the same requirements, which are listed below.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Change of Program Policy

No selective or limited admission requirements.

External Transfer Admission

No requirements beyond University admission requirements.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

The demand for people knowledgeable in the religions of this increasingly smaller globe is growing, and the United States is also becoming increasingly diverse religiously. Expertise in the study of a number of religious traditions benefits students preparing for careers in journalism, politics, and business. It can also be part of one’s preparation for leadership in religious communities. Often pre-professionals are encouraged to pursue a broad liberal arts education in which religious studies may be a significant component. Courses in religious studies are also of interest to many graduate programs. Our graduates have gone on to further study in religious studies and theology graduate programs. Outside academia, Religious Studies graduates have gone on to work abroad in the Peace Corps and for NGOs; others have become counselors and therapists; others have entered into business careers and work in government.

Students can also browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake, OHIO’s key resource for researching jobs, employers, and workshops and events for professional development.

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements

Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide page.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement

View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Religious Studies Hours Requirement

Complete 33 credit hours of classics and religious studies coursework, including all the requirements below.

Foundations: Major Traditions

Complete three of the following courses (9 credit hours total):

CARS 2400 - Introduction to the Study of Religion Credit Hours: 3
CARS 2600 - Hinduism Credit Hours: 3
CARS 2610 - Buddhism Credit Hours: 3
CARS 3000 - The Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament, Jewish Tanakh) Credit Hours: 3
CARS 3010 - New Testament Credit Hours: 3
CARS 3020 - Introduction to Islam Credit Hours: 3
CARS 3400 - Greek and Roman Religions and Society Credit Hours: 3
JS 1000 - Introduction to Jewish Studies Credit Hours: 3

Religious Studies Electives (21 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from the Class I Electives list and 6 credit hours from the Class II Electives list. The remaining 6 credits can come from any CARS or JS class or any approved affiliate class. Courses used to fulfill the Foundations requirement cannot be used to fulfill the Electives requirement.

Capstone in Classics and Religious Studies

Complete the following course or any other 4000-level CARS course designated as a capstone. Students can also meet this requirement by completing 3 credit hours of CARS 4900 or CARS 4930 .

CARS 4000 - Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft in Classical Civilizations and the World’s Religions Credit Hours: 3

Senior Honors Thesis

Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will have the option of researching and writing a senior honors thesis.