Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Religion
Program Learning Outcomes for the BA Degree with a Major in Religion
Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Religion, students will be able to:
- Develop and apply critical toolkit to the study of religion and religious traditions including (inter)disciplinary methodologies and theories at a proficient level.
(Critical Skills for the Study of Religion: Theory, Method, and (Inter)Disciplinarity) - Understand and interpret religious traditions by examining religion(s) as historical, social, and cultural phenomena. When appropriate, attention is given to the impact of globalism, immigration, colonialism, and other forms of transnational and multi-cultural (non)religious exchange at a proficient level.
(Historical, Social, (Multi-)Cultural Dimensions of Religion) - Understand and interpret the subjective dimensions of religion(s) through analyses that explore the psychological, philosophical, and cognitive dynamics of religion and religious experience at a proficient level.
(Psychological, Philosophical, and Cognitive Dimensions of Religion) - Understand and interpret religious traditions by examining the plurality of religious voices and expressions, including currents that have been marginalized, neglected, repressed, and censored in a variety of sociological, psychological, philosophical, and political ways at a proficient level.
(Religious Plurality and Marginal Currents) - Develop the ability to read religious texts in their original languages and perform translations of texts when appropriate to the student's course of study at a proficient level.
(Foreign Language Skills)
Requirements for the BA Degree with a Major in Religion
For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in Religion must complete:
- A minimum of 10 courses (30 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
- A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 6 courses (18 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
- A maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the major’s academic advisor or, where applicable, the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Religion | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the BA Degree with a Major in Religion | 120 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Core Course | ||
| RELI 101 | INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION | 3 |
| Religious Traditions | ||
| Select 1 course from Judaism/Christianity/Islam/African-American Religions (see course list below) | 3 | |
| Select 1 course from Indigenous African Religions/American Religions/Buddhism/Hinduism (see course list below) | 3 | |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 6 elective courses from departmental (RELI) course offerings: 1 | 18 | |
| Senior Project | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| SENIOR THESIS I | ||
| SENIOR THESIS II | ||
| CHRISTIANITY AND LATE ANTIQUITY | ||
| ARCHIVES OF THE IMPOSSIBLE | ||
| NEW TESTAMENT / CHRISTIAN ORIGINS | ||
| GNOSTIC AMERICA | ||
| FOUCAULT & THE HERMENEUTICS OF SELF | ||
| RELIGION AND POLITICS IN AFRICA | ||
| RELIGION AND LITERATURE IN AFRICA | ||
| RELIGION, PSYCHOLOGY & CULTURE | ||
| THE BIBLE AND THE BRAIN | ||
| VISIONS AND VISONARY PRACTICES: MEDIEVAL TO MODERN | ||
| SECOND CENTURY CHRISTIANITIES | ||
| MYSTICISM: THEORIES AND METHODS | ||
| BUDDHIST WISDOM TEXTS | ||
| KABBALAH SEMINAR | ||
| FROM DECOLONIZATION TO GLOBALIZATION | ||
| GNOSTICISM SEMINAR | ||
| THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS SCHOOLS | ||
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Religion | 30 | |
| Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements * | 59 | |
| University Graduation Requirements * | 31 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| * | Note: University Graduation Requirements include 31 credit hours, comprised of Distribution Requirements (Groups I, II, and III), FWIS, and LPAP coursework. In some instances, courses satisfying FWIS or distribution requirements may additionally meet other requirements, such as the Analyzing Diversity (AD) requirement, or some of the student’s declared major, minor, or certificate requirements. Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements include general electives, coursework completed as upper-level, residency (hours taken at Rice), and/or any other additional academic program requirements. |
| 1 | Selection of courses should be worked out programmatically with a faculty member advisor so that at least 3 courses form a concentrated area of study. |
| 2 | The Senior Project course is either a Seminar or Independent Study with a required research paper selected with the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. See the DUS for more information. |
Course Lists to Satisfy Requirements
Judaism/Christianity/Islam/African-American Religions
Select a minimum of 1 course (3 credit hours) from the Judaism/Christianity/Islam/African-American Religions course options.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Judaism/Christianity/Islam/African-American Religions | ||
| RELI 104 / MDEM 103 | INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH MYSTICISM | 3 |
| RELI 108 | INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM | 3 |
| RELI 112 | INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHRISTIANITY | 3 |
| RELI 124 | RELIGION AND THE ART OF HAPPINESS | 3 |
| RELI 126 / HEBR 126 | INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL HEBREW II | 3 |
| RELI 127 | INTERMEDIATE BIBLICAL HEBREW III | 3 |
| RELI 157 | RELIGION AND HIP HOP CULTURE IN AMERICA | 3 |
| RELI 158 | LIBERATION THEOLOGIES | 3 |
| RELI 203 / HIST 201 | JUDAISM OF JESUS AND HILLEL | 3 |
| RELI 215 / FILM 215 | MYSTIC CINEMA: KABBALAH IN FILM | 3 |
| RELI 221 / ASIA 221 | THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD | 3 |
| RELI 223 | QUR'AN AND COMMENTARY | 3 |
| RELI 243 | THE BOOK OF GENESIS | 3 |
| RELI 270 | INTRODUCTION TO THE BLACK CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| RELI 271 / MDEM 271 | MEDIEVAL POPULAR CHRISTIANITY | 3 |
| RELI 282 | INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY | 3 |
| RELI 294 | RELIGION IN FICTION AND FILM | 3 |
| RELI 301 | NIETZSCHE AND RELIGIOUS THOUGHT | 3 |
| RELI 304 | THE GOSPELS AND SECRET GOSPELS | 3 |
| RELI 343 / HART 347 | SEMINAR ON LOVE | 3 |
| RELI 348 | CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM IN AFRICA | 3 |
| RELI 350 / MDEM 350 | DEMONS, MENTAL ILLNESS AND MEDICINE | 3 |
| RELI 356 | MAJOR ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY ISLAM | 3 |
| RELI 357 | WHAT'S RELIGIOUS ABOUT BLACK RELIGION? | 3 |
| RELI 359 | RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN THE CRUCIBLE OF GLOBALIZATION | 3 |
| RELI 365 | PAUL AND THE FIRST CHRISTIANS | 3 |
| RELI 382 | LOST JUDAISMS: THE APOCRYPHAL WRITINGS | 3 |
| RELI 383 | THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS | 3 |
| RELI 384 | PILGRIMAGE AND CRUSADE | 3 |
| RELI 385 / HIST 381 | GOD, TIME AND HISTORY | 3 |
| RELI 388 | THE PSALMS | 3 |
| RELI 395 | LOSING YOUR RELIGION IN FILM & FICTION & MUSIC | 3 |
| RELI 406 | CHRISTIANITY AND LATE ANTIQUITY | 3 |
| RELI 416 | NEW TESTAMENT / CHRISTIAN ORIGINS | 3 |
| RELI 424 | RELIGION AND POLITICS IN AFRICA | 3 |
| RELI 426 | RELIGION AND LITERATURE IN AFRICA | 3 |
| RELI 430 | RELIGION, PSYCHOLOGY & CULTURE | 3 |
| RELI 442 | CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ARABIC TEXTS | 3 |
| RELI 449 | SECOND CENTURY CHRISTIANITIES | 3 |
| RELI 458 | MYSTICISM: THEORIES AND METHODS | 3 |
| RELI 472 | KABBALAH SEMINAR | 3 |
| RELI 476 / FREN 324 / POLI 324 | FROM DECOLONIZATION TO GLOBALIZATION | 3 |
| RELI 481 | GNOSTICISM SEMINAR | 3 |
| RELI 488 | THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS SCHOOLS | 3 |
Indigenous African Religions/American Religions/Buddhism/Hinduism
Select a minimum of 1 course (3 credit hours) from the Indigenous African Religions/American Religions/Buddhism/Hinduism course options.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous African Religions/American Religions/Buddhism/Hinduism | ||
| RELI 111 | INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN RELIGIONS | 3 |
| RELI 157 | RELIGION AND HIP HOP CULTURE IN AMERICA | 3 |
| RELI 231 / ASIA 231 | AMERICAN METAPHYSICAL RELIGION | 3 |
| RELI 233 / TIBT 233 | INTRODUCTION TO TIBETAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE | 3 |
| RELI 234 / TIBT 234 | INTERMEDIATE TIBETAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE | 3 |
| RELI 270 | INTRODUCTION TO THE BLACK CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| RELI 311 | RELIGION AND HIP HOP CULTURE IN AMERICA | 3 |
| RELI 322 / ASIA 322 | INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM | 3 |
| RELI 332 / TIBT 332 | ADVANCED TIBETAN LANGUAGE & CULTURE | 3 |
| RELI 333 | KNOWING BODY/GLOWING MIND: BUDDHIST ARTS OF CONTEMPLATION AND ANALYSIS | 3 |
| RELI 337 | SHAMANS, SAINTS, & SAGES | 3 |
| RELI 357 | WHAT'S RELIGIOUS ABOUT BLACK RELIGION? | 3 |
| RELI 359 | RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN THE CRUCIBLE OF GLOBALIZATION | 3 |
| RELI 378 | MIND AND ART, FILM AND LITERATURE IN BUDDHISM | 3 |
| RELI 393 | MUTANTS AND MYSTICS: RACE, SEXUALITY, AND THE FUTURE OF THE HUMANITIES | 3 |
| RELI 417 | GNOSTIC AMERICA | 3 |
| RELI 424 | RELIGION AND POLITICS IN AFRICA | 3 |
| RELI 426 | RELIGION AND LITERATURE IN AFRICA | 3 |
| RELI 458 | MYSTICISM: THEORIES AND METHODS | 3 |
| RELI 470 | BUDDHIST WISDOM TEXTS | 3 |
Policies for the BA Degree with a Major in Religion
Program Restrictions and Exclusions
Students pursuing the major in Religion should be aware of the following program restriction:
- As noted in Majors, Minors, and Certificates, students may not major and minor in the same subject.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content). The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with the applicable transfer credit advisor as well as their academic program director when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the major in Religion should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guideline:
- No more than 2 courses (6 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the major.
Distribution Credit Information
The determination of distribution credit eligibility is done initially as part of the new course creation process. Additionally, as part of an annual roll call coordinated each Spring by the Office of the Registrar, course distribution credit eligibility is routinely reviewed and reaffirmed by the Dean’s Offices of each of the academic schools.
Faculty and leadership in the academic schools are responsible for ensuring that the courses identified as distribution-credit-eligible meet the criteria as set in the General Announcements. Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet graduation requirements by completing coursework designated as distribution-credit-eligible at the time of course registration.
Distribution courses from Religion (RELI) are broad-based, accessible to non-majors, and provide a foundation that enables students to integrate knowledge from multiple perspectives.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Religion website: https://reli.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the BA Degree with a Major in Religion
Academic Honors
The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.
The Saba Prize is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Department of Religion. It carries with it a substantial financial gift, and designates the student(s) who has demonstrated the highest form of academic excellence and contribution to the department over a four-year period.
Departmental Honors Program
Qualified undergraduates may choose to submit their Senior Project to the department for consideration to receive Distinction in Research and Creative Work. For details about the submission process and this honors award, visit the department's website. To complete the year long Senior Thesis, the student elects RELI 403 (fall semester) and RELI 404 (spring semester) with their agreed-upon advisor. Students must have a minimum 3.20 GPA in Religion courses prior to enrolling in RELI 403 and RELI 404, a Religion faculty advisor, and the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Further details are available upon consultation with the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Religion website: https://reli.rice.edu/.