Religious Studies (Major, Minor)

Summary

Women's College

College of Adult Undergraduate Studies

Grounded in Roman Catholic and ecumenical Christian traditions, we actively engage in dialogue with other world religions. Women's contributions to spirituality, religious thought and history, as well as the ecumenical and interfaith aspects of the discipline, are woven into the Program and are treated in greater depth in courses devoted exclusively to these topics. The Program stresses critical thinking and respect for the religious commitments of all persons, and also is seen as a step toward transforming society. Graduates are ordained ministers, religion teachers, guidance counselors, parish educators, directors of religious education, pastoral and youth ministers, campus ministers, hospital chaplains, parish music ministers, leaders in diocesan offices, and employees of Catholic Charities.

In addition to the Major, the Religious Studies Department offers Minors in Religious Studies and participates in Catholic Studies, Justice and Peace Studies and Women’s Studies, as well as providing a track within the Liberal Arts Major (seven courses for the primary track or five for the supporting track).

Transfer credits from the Religious Studies or Theology Department of an accredited college or university will be accepted after assessment by the Chair of the Religious Studies Department. Credits should have been earned since 2000.

The General Education Requirement includes two courses in Religious Studies, one of which must be at the lower level (100/200) and one of which must be at the upper level (300/400).

To fulfill the lower level Religious Studies General Education Requirement a student may take our entry level courses RST-105 or RST-201.

To fulfill the General Education Requirement in values, a student may take any of the following courses: RST-303, 304, 306, 331, 345, 411.

The following courses satisfy the General Education Requirement at the 300- or 400-level: RST-300, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 311, 312, 315, 316, 317, 325, 331, 340, 341, 345, 347, 360, 361, 370, 401, 405, 409, 411, 415, 421, 424, 427, 430, 431, 432, 433, 450, 452, IDS-340.

Religious Studies courses that satisfy the General Education Requirement in cross-cultural studies are: RST-311, 331, 345, 350, 360, 361, 401 (depending on topic), 427, 450, 452.

Religious studies courses that satisfy the General Education Requirement in gender studies are: RST-305, 308, 340, 341, 390, 411.

All courses credited toward the Major or Minor must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Programs of Study

The Religious Studies Major provides the student with proficiency in four categories: biblical studies, systematic theology, practical theology/religion and culture, and religious ethics.

Required Courses for a Major in Religious Studies (33 credits)

     Prerequisite for all Majors

        RST-105 Religion and the Big Question (3)
       (Please note credit hours for RST-105 are not included toward the 33 hours for the major.)

     Biblical Studies (6 credits)

       RST-315 Old Testament (3)
       RST-317 New Testament (3)

     Systematic Theology (3 credits)

       One of the following:

       RST-307 Trinity: Images of God (3)
       RST-312 Sin and Grace (3)
       RST-325 Jesus Christ (3)
       RST-415 Church (3)
       RST-421 Christian Worship (3)

     Practical Theology (3 credits)

       One of the following:

       RST-305 Marriage and Family (3)
       RST-341 Theology of the Body (3)
       RST-347 Introduction to Spirituality (3)
       RST-409 Death and Dying (3)
       RST-431 Teaching Religion to Adolescents (3)
       RST-432 Faith Development of Children and Adolescents (3)
       RST-433 Teaching Religion to Children (3)

     Religion and Culture (3 credits)

       One of the following:

       RST-300 American Catholicism (3)
       RST-311 World Religions (3)
       RST-360 Islam (3)
       RST-361 African American Religions (3)
       RST-427 Study Tour (3)
       RST-445 Islamic Perspectives on Peace and Conflict (3)
       RST-450 Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3)
       RST-452 Buddhism and Christianity (3)

     Religious Ethics (3 credits)

       RST-303 Christian Ethics (3)
       RST-304 Christian Social Ethics (3)
       RST-345 Justice and Peace (3)
       RST-306 Christian Bioethics (3)
       RST-331 Comparative Religious Ethics (3)
       RST 411H Catholic Women Theologians

     Electives (12 credits)

       Any four other courses at the 300/400 level from the departmental offerings.

For those planning to seek catechist certification from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, it is recommended that at least one course from RST-431, 432 and 433 be selected.
Religious studies majors and minors are encouraged to choose RST-427 Study Tour. Internships in religious studies are also available.

     Capstone (3 credits)

       RST-460 Capstone Experience

Required Courses for a Minor in Religious Studies (18 credits)

       RST-105 Religion and the Big Question (3)
       RST-315 Old Testament or RST-317 New Testament (3)
       One systematic theology course (3)
       One religious ethics course (3)
       Two other elective courses at 300/400 level from the departmental offerings (6)

Four-Year Plan

Below is a sample Program of Study for Religious Studies Major in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. Students should select courses with the assistance of the program coordinator. (See course descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.)

Fall		Spring
First year
ENG-101 College Writing	3	Foreign Language	3
IDS-100 Perspectives in Education	3	History	3
COM-106	3	Mathematics	3
RST-105 Religion and the Big Question	3	Social Science	3
NDMU 100	3	RST 300/400 level Ethics	3
[15 credits]		[15 credits]
Second year
PHL-201 Introduction to Philosophy	3	PHL 300/400-level course	3
Fine Arts	3	RST-317 New Testament	3
RST-315 Old Testament	3	RST 300/400 Systematic Theology	3
COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication	3	English Literature	3
General Education/Electives	3	General Education/Electives	3
[15 credits]		[15 credits]
Third year
RST 300/400 Religion and Culture Course	3	RST 300/400 Elective	3
RST 300/400 Practical Theology Course	3	RST 300/400 Elective	3
General Education/Electives	9	General Education/Electives	9
[15 credits]		[15 credits]
Fourth year
RST 300/400 Elective	3	RST Capstone	3
RST 300/400 Elective	3	General Education/Electives	12
General Education/Electives	9	[15 credits]
[15 credits]