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2016-2017 University Catalog
Religious Studies, BA
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Banner Code: LA-BA-RELI
Web: religious.gmu.edu
College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Religious Studies
The goal of the major in religious studies is to bring students to an understanding of the major traditions of world religions. Areas of study offered by the department include Asian religious traditions, Near (Middle) East religious traditions (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity), and comparative aspects of religion. Students develop skills in reading and interpreting sacred texts. They explore the cultural and social dimensions of religion along with a consideration of religious values and ethics, from comparative and cross-cultural perspectives with relation to global issues.
The courses in religious studies are writing intensive. They help students to study and analyze religious ideas and symbols and give them the skills to present well-argued papers.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see Academic Policies .
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Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including Mason Core requirements. Students pursuing a BA in religious studies must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students in this major complete at least 33 credits within the major, earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. No course applied to the major in religious studies may be used to fulfill more than one requirement.
Two introductory courses (6 credits) in the main world religions
Two courses (6 credits) in comparative or methodological aspects of the study of religion chosen from:
Four courses (12 credits) in religious studies
Students should choose from any religious studies courses (RELI) at the 300 and 400 level other than those used to fulfill the requirements above. They can also choose courses in a scriptural language (such as Arabic, Biblical Hebrew, Chinese, Classical Greek, Latin, or Sanskrit). Up to 6 credits of a scriptural language may be used to fulfill this requirement and the 6 credits of electives. One seminar (3 credits)
Students should take this course during their senior year. Two elective courses (6 credits)
Students should choose elective courses in consultation with an advisor. They can choose from courses in religious studies, related disciplines (including anthropology, art history, and history), or a scriptural language (such as Arabic, Biblical Hebrew, Chinese, Classical Greek, Latin, or Sanskrit). Up to 6 credits of a scriptural language may be used to fulfill this requirement and the requirement of 12 credits in religious studies at 300 and 400 level. Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors. Students majoring in religious studies fulfill this requirement by successfully completing RELI 420. Mason Core (40 credits)
Note: some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category.
Foundation Requirements (15-19 credits)
Core Requirements (22 credits)
Synthesis/Capstone Requirement (minimum 3 credits)
College Level Requirements for the BA degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or religious studies (3 credits)
Fulfilled by any course in philosophy or religious studies (PHIL, RELI) except for PHIL 323 , 324 , 327 , 393 , 460 . PHIL 253 and RELI 235 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and behavioral science (3 credits)
3 credits in addition to the university-wide requirement in social and behavioral science for a total of 6 credits. The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and university requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing any course in ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GOVT, HIST (except 100 or 125), LING, PSYC, or SOCI and these courses in GGS: 101 , 103 , 110 , 301 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , 315 , 316 , 320 , 325 , 330 , 357 , 380 .
Non-Western culture (3 credits)
3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture in addition to the course used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits
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