Religion

Major & Minor Requirements

The Department of Religion aims to provide all students with an introduction to the academic study of religion, to give them the conceptual skills to interpret religious experience in its varying manifestations, and to instill in all students a sense that religion is a fundamental dimension of human experience.

All students at Carthage must successfully complete REL 1000 Understandings of Religion (preferably as a freshman or sophomore), and a second religion course from a provided list.

At Carthage, students can major in religion, minor in religion, and earn Honors in the major. Many students choose to double-major in religion and another subject, as it's easy to combine the flexible religion major with another discipline at Carthage.

Please note: Current students should follow the printed version of the College Catalog, and work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

Religion Major

A student seeking a major in religion must complete 40 religion credits.

REL 1000 Understandings of Religion
REL 2750 Research Methods
REL 4000 Senior Seminar
Two Biblical courses
Two courses in Church History/Christian Theology
Two courses in World Religion
One course in Religion and Society

Note: Any course listed in more than one category may only count once.


Religion Minor

A student seeking a minor in religion must complete 24 religion credits.

REL 1000 Understandings of Religion
One Biblical course
One course in Church History/Christian Theology
One course in World Religion
One course in Religion and Society
One other course

Note: Any course listed in more than one category may only count once.


Religion Course Categories


Biblical

REL 2010 Jewish Bible/Old Testament
REL 2020 The Gospels
REL 2030 Letters of the New Testament
REL 3010 Post-Exilic Judaism
REL 3020 Women and the Bible
REL 3400 Biblical Images of Christ
REL 3700 The Dead Sea Scrolls

Church History/Christian Theology

REL 2000 History of Christian Thought
REL 2040 Christian Spirituality
REL 3040 Church History
REL 3060 Luther and the Reformation
REL 3070 Religion in America
REL 3090 African American Religions
REL 4140 Religious Thinkers of Modern Times

World Religion

REL 3100 Judaism
REL 3110 Hinduism
REL 3120 Islam
REL 3130 Buddhism
REL 3140 East Asian Religions
REL 3310 Greek Religions
REL 3320 Roman Religions
REL 3360 Religion and Society in Modern India
REL 3700 Dead Sea Scrolls

Religion and Society

REL 2070 Understandings of Love
REL 2200 Faith, Love and Ethics
REL 2300 Issues in Living and Dying
REL 3020 Women and the Bible
REL 3030 Creation and Apocalypse
REL 3050 Images of Aging and Spirituality
REL 3070 Religion in America
REL 3080 Parish Service
REL 3350 Religion and Society
REL 3360 Religion and Society in Modern India
SOC 2040 Sociology of Religion


Honors in the Major

Departments at Carthage offer students the opportunity to earn Honors in their major. Each department may establish the requirements for Honors in that department. Please see the department chair for details.

Basic requirements for Honors in a major include an overall GPA of 3.5 at graduation, completion of all requirements for the major, a formal recommendation by department faculty, a rating of “excellent” on the senior thesis by department faculty, and presentation of the senior thesis to an audience beyond the department.

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Faculty Spotlight

Religion Professor James Lochtefeld brings Indian culture to life in photography show. Read more.

J-Term in Israel

image

Unearthing the Past. Annual study tour in northern Israel transforms Carthage undergrads into archaeologists.