Philosophy and Religion department web site
The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2023-2024 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The religion major is designed to permit broad interdepartmental studies and interdisciplinary syntheses. It provides a desirable background for professional ministerial training or for graduate school in religious studies or any of its disciplinary perspectives (history, anthropology, theology, philosophy, etc.). Students must take 18 required credits and 15 elective credits (no more than 9 of which can be < 100 level). Students may count courses from related disciplines toward the major upon approval of the student's advisor.
| Course | Credit Hours |
| Two Traditions courses, one "East" and one "West" | 6 |
| REL 062 - Religions of India | 3 |
| REL 064 - Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
| REL 108 - 20th Century American Religions | 3 |
| REL 110 - Introduction to Judaism | 3 |
| REL 114 - Religions of Des Moines | 3 |
| REL 120 - Black Christianity and Prophetic Politics | 3 |
| REL 153 - Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
| One Ethics course | 3 |
| REL 091 - Contemporary Ethical Problems | 3 |
| REL 117 - Religious Models Restorative Justice | 3 |
| REL 118 - Race, Religion, and Civic Culture | 3 |
| One Texts course | 3 |
| REL 051 - Old Testament | 3 |
| REL 053 - Life and Teachings of Jesus | 3 |
| REL 111 - Eastern Philosophy | 3 |
| REL 130 - The Global Bible | 3 |
| REL 124 - Inventing "Religion" | 3 |
| Senior Capstone or Independent Study | 3 |
| REL 198 - Independent Study | 1-3 |
| REL 199 - Seminar in Religion | 1-3 |
| Five elective courses | 15 |
| TOTAL | 33 |
| Course | Credit Hours |
| Two Traditions courses, one "East" and one "West" | 6 |
| REL 062 - Religions of India | 3 |
| REL 064 - Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
| REL 108 - 20th Century American Religions | 3 |
| REL 110 - Introduction to Judaism | 3 |
| REL 114 - Religions of Des Moines | 3 |
| REL 120 - Black Christianity and Prophetic Politics | 3 |
| REL 153 - Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
| Four elective courses - at least two must be 100+ level | 12 |
| TOTAL | 18 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.