Program: Religion, B.A. - Furman University

2020-2021 Academic Catalog

Apr 02, 2025

Religious studies is a large, interdisciplinary field and the Religion major is designed to be flexible allowing students to meet specific goals while still encouraging breadth and depth in their work. Courses applied to major requirements will be agreed upon in consultation with the department chair and the student’s academic advisor with the design of the major varying to the interests, vocational direction and needs of the student.

A religion major requires 8 or more courses and must include:

REL-475 Senior Seminar which includes a major research paper

at least four courses numbered 200 or greater studying religious traditions, including at least two courses from each of two religious traditions

Christianity

Judaism

Buddhism

Islam

Hinduism

three more courses studying religion which may include additional religious traditions courses, comparative courses and/or a single course from another department

Comparative

Other

PHL-215 Philosophy of Religion
POL-235 Politics of Religious Movements
REL-401 Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
SOC-233 Sociology of Religion
REL-101 , REL-111 , REL-125 or a first year seminar on a religious topic may contribute to major requirements if completed prior to declaring the major subject to approval from the department and/or two two-credit May Experience courses taught by members of the Religion department may also be considered as a single course for meeting major requirements.

an academic journal entry for each course after declaring the major

and, attend the annual department colloquium each spring.

Course Options for First-Year Students

The Religion Department offers a number of interesting ways to get started with your GERs.

NOTE: Any 100 or 200 level course in Religion is appropriate for new students. No previous study or familiarity with the particular topic is expected or needed. Religion Courses are a good entry into the college experience because they allow the opportunity for students to reflect on their own values and those of others while learning the skills of critical thinking and clear verbal and written argument.

If you are interested in exploring classes within this department, here are some possibilities to consider.

Entry Level Courses (with associated GER)

REL-101 Introduction to Religion UQ - Ultimate Questions
REL-111 Bible and Ultimate Meaning UQ - Ultimate Questions
REL-210 Introduction to the Old Testament TA - Textual Analysis
REL-220 Introduction to Judaism UQ - Ultimate Questions
REL-221 Native American Religions UQ - Ultimate Questions and WC - World Cultures
REL-222 Introduction to Islam UQ - Ultimate Questions and WC - World Cultures
REL-223 Hindu Cultures and Religious Worlds UQ - Ultimate Questions and WC - World Cultures
REL-230 Religion in America HA - Historical Analysis
REL-262 Religion and Art VP - Visual and Performing Arts and WC - World Cultures
REL 254-Religion and Science Fiction UQ - Ultimate Questions