Department of Religious Studies

The Major Program

Minimum Requirement 12 c.u.

Each major program is planned individually with the Undergraduate Chair. Most programs will be concentrated in one of the three sectors (Society, History & Tradition, and Arts & Letters), but it is also possible to focus upon an individualized topic. A sector concentration includes six courses from that sector, at least one from each of the other two sectors, and four electives. Normally a concentration will include the two introductory courses for that sector (listed above), three intermediate courses (100 or above), and one course that is a seminar at the 400 level or above. Many courses offered by other departments are approved for inclusion in the Religious Studies major, up to a maximum of six. (Six is also the maximum number that can count toward both parts of a double major.) Those who prefer an individualized topic to one of the three sectors will take six courses dealing with their topic, including two introductory courses, three intermediate, and at least one seminar at the 400 level or above. Such programs must be approved in advance by the Undergraduate Chair. Majors are encouraged to take advantage of Penn's Study Abroad programs, among which the University of Edinburgh and Hebrew University in Jerusalem have especially strong offerings in religious studies. Our faculty welcomes the opportunity for collaborative research projects on topics of mutual interest, and majors often pursue independent research projects by registering for RelS 399. There is a weekly Religious Studies Colloquium on a variety of topics to which all majors are invited. The Religious Studies Undergraduate Advisory Board sponsors films and other activities several times a year.

Summary of Requirements for a Religious Studies Major

1. Six courses in the sector concentration or an individualized topic, including two at the introductory level, three intermediate courses, and one advanced seminar.
2. At least one course in each of the three sectors.
3. Electives to bring the total to 12 courses.