Programs

The Department of Religious Studies offers a Bachelor's Degree. Find out more about studying religion at DePaul by reading our learning goals for majors.

Major

Standard Concentration in Religious Studies
Religion and Culture Concentration
Religion, Ethics and Social Justice Concentration
Jewish Studies Concentration
Women's and Gender Studies in Religion Concentration

Minor

Standard Minor
Cultural Studies in Religion Minor
Religion, Ethics and Social Justice Minor
Women, Religion and Spirituality Minor
Specialized Minor

Overview

The Department of Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to explore the religious dimensions of life and culture. These dimensions are found in the culturally embedded narratives, beliefs and practices of particular religions as well as encounters with realities perceived to be ultimate or sacred. Through myth, symbol, ritual and doctrine, these religions not only provide order and meaning, they also carry capacities to challenge and transform individuals and societies. Intellectual and social maturity requires understanding the unique contributions, both positive and negative, of the religious traditions of the world to culture and consciousness. It also requires coming to terms with questions of ultimacy. The department offers courses with a comparative, thematic, or ethical focus, as well as courses in specific traditions.

The department is committed to DePaul's Catholic, Vincentian heritage, and invites all its majors to take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore the history, culture and thought of the Roman Catholic tradition. Departmental majors will find a deeper understanding of Catholic Christian worldviews in courses offered by the department as well as those in the Catholic Studies Program. The Vincentian and Catholic background of DePaul University are expressed in a distinct institutional identity, which respects engaged pluralistic inquiry toward all religious traditions. The department is committed to offering a wide range of courses investigating various world religious traditions, great and small, as well as the international, urban character of Chicago itself. The department makes its multicultural commitments evident through rich offerings in the Roman Catholic tradition, other monotheistic systems, and religions of Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Religious Studies at DePaul reflects the international, urban character of Chicago itself. Today, the whole world lives in Chicago. Here, there are more Thai Buddhists than Episcopalians, more Muslims than Jews. Among the Christian community, there are distinctions between Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. There are also many Hindu Temples and one Zoroastrian center; active and practicing communities among the Bahai's, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and many others; and a host of interreligious organizations. All of this amid further differentiations by race and ethnicity, city and suburb. Students can take advantage of this broad range of opportunities through a variety of interdisciplinary programs, special classes, and courses offered at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.

Religious Studies Major

Standard Concentration

Exposes all students to a variety of religious traditions, elements and issues. Additional work within the concentration allows the student to continue exploring a broad range of topics or to concentrate in one area.

56 hours in Religious Studies (60 with the Senior Thesis Option) Students must take a minimum of six 300-level courses. Five of the six 300-level courses must be in the Elements and Issues and Religious Studies electives section of the curriculum.

Core:	103 Religious Worlds in Comparative Perspective (formerly 203) 208 Methods and Approaches in the Study of Religion 390 Integrating Seminar
Traditions and Cultures:	One of the following: 109 The Jewish Experience (formerly 209) 110 The Christian Experience (formerly 210) One of the following: 111 The American Religious Experience (formerly 211) 113 The Latino Religious Experience in the United States (formerly 290) 161 Indigenous Religions of North America (formerly 261) 215 The African American Religious Experience One of the following: 142 The Hindu Experience 143 The Buddhist Experience 241 Religion in Chinese History, Society and Culture 242 Hindu Thought and Culture 243 Buddhist Thought in Cultural Context 244 Indigenous Religions of Africa 245 Religion in Japanese History, Society and Culture 246 Traditions in Chinese Popular Culture One of the following: 116 The Islamic Experience (formerly 216) 217 Islam in Global Contexts 263 Religion and Politics in the Middle East
Elements and Issues:	Four courses required, one from each of the four headings: Religious Ethics Religious Thought Religious Texts Religion and Culture
Electives:	Three Required.
Senior Thesis Option:	397 Senior Thesis

Religion and Culture Concentration

Explores the relationship between religions and culture. Specialization in a particular area (Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, or Africa and the African Diaspora) is complemented by work in a variety of cross-cultural issues such as religious expressions in literature and the arts, in socio-political realities, ethics, and ritual.

52 hours in Religious Studies (56 with the Senior Thesis Option) and 8 hours in Allied Fields. Students must take a minimum of six 300-level courses.

Core:	103 Religious Worlds in Comparative Perspective (formerly 203) 208 Methods and Approaches in the Study of Religion 390 Integrating Seminar
Foundations:	One of the following: 300 Theories of Culture and Religion 301 Theories of Religion and Spirituality
Approaches to the Study of Religion:	One of the following: 220 Psychology and Religion 221 Religion in Society 223 Literature and the Sacred 224 Religion and Politics in the United States 225 Religion and the Arts 263 Religion and Politics in the Middle East 305 Topics in Culture and Religion
Area Studies:	Seven courses required, four of which must be at the 300 level; choose at least three in one primary area and at least two more in one or more areas different from the primary area. Africa and the Diaspora - 144, 215, 244, 264, 266, 272, 274, 348, 399; when applicable, 305, 320, 340, 351, 392; The Americas - 111, 113, 161, 162, 212, 215, 264, 266, 268, 291, 342, 360, 382, 383, 384, 399; when applicable, 305, 320, 324, 340, 351, 392; Asia - 142, 143, 241, 242, 243, 245, 246, 247, 248, 341, 342, 343, 344, 399; when applicable, 305, 320, 340, 380, 392; Christianity - 110, 113, 213, 214, 215, 233, 234, 235, 238, 270, 273, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 291, 332, 382, 383, 384, 399; when applicable, 260, 278, 305, 320, 324, 340, 351, 380, 392, 393; Islam - 116, 217, 263, 266, 271, 272, 365, 399; when applicable, 205, 305, 320, 324, 340, 380, 392, 393; Judaism - 109, 170, 232, 236, 268, 269, 270, 275, 363, 399; when applicable, 305, 320, 340, 380, 392, 393.
Elective	One required.
Senior Thesis Option:	397 Senior Thesis
Allied Fields:	Two courses, approved by advisor or Chair.

Religion, Ethics and Social Justice Concentration

Encourages students to develop an understanding of both Western and non-Western reflections on ethics and social justice, to examine value commitments of self and others and develop a personal ethical stance regarding current socio-cultural issues, and to link traditional classroom learning with experiential and service opportunities. Traditional academic learning is complemented by experiential and service learning in courses focused on communities and societies beyond the university.

60 hours in Religious Studies (64 with the Senior Thesis Option) plus 4 hours in an allied field. Students must take a minimum of six 300-level courses.

Core:	103 Religious Worlds in Comparative Perspective (formerly 203) 208 Methods and Approaches in the Study of Religion 390 Integrating Seminar
Foundations:	Both of the following: 201 Religion and Ethics, I 205 Religion and Ethics, II
Religion and Social Justice:	Two courses, at least one at the 300 level: 264 Colonization, Religion and Resistance 283 Roman Catholic Social Thought in Context 322 Feminist Ethics 351 Liberation Theology (Experiential Learning); when applicable: 320 Topics in Religious Ethics 380 Topics in Religious Texts 392 Study Abroad in Religion
Professional Ethics:	One of the following: 226 Technology, Ethics and Society 227 Religious Ethics and Professional Life 228 Business, Ethics and Society 229 Medicine, Ethics and Society
Culture and Ethics:	Two of the following, at least one at the 300 level: 202 Ethical Worlds: Moral Issues across Cultures 222 Contemporary Moral Issues 224 Religion and Politics in the United States 254 The Body and Human Relationships: Divergent Meanings, Conflicting Values 260 Religion and Political Conflict 263 Religion and Politics in the Middle East 324 Religion and Law ; when applicable: 392 Study Abroad in Religion 393 Internship in Religious Studies (Experiential Learning)
Religion and Social Engagement:	Two of the following, at least one at the 300 level: 259 Religion and Social Engagement (Experiential Learning) 351 Liberation Theology (Experiential Learning); when applicable: 320 Topics in Religious Ethics 392 Study Abroad in Religion 393 Internship in Religious Studies (Experiential Learning)
Electives:	Two required, both at 300 level.
Senior Thesis Option:	397 Senior Thesis
Allied Field Requirements:	CSS 201 Perspectives on Community Service

Jewish Studies Concentration

48 hours in Religious Studies (52 with the Senior Thesis option), 12 hours in Allied Fields and 12 hours (or equivalent) of modern or biblical Hebrew. All courses should be selected with the help of an academic advisor and/or the Chair. All 300-level, allied field and language courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor or the Chair. Students must take a minimum of five 300-level courses in Religious Studies and one 300-level course in Allied Fields requirement.

Core:	103 Religious Worlds in Comparative Perspective (formerly 203) 208 Methods and Approaches in the Study of Religion 390 Integrating Seminar
Foundations:	One of the following: 109 The Jewish Experience (formerly 209) 170 Introduction to the Texts of Judaism
Area Studies:	Six courses, three at the 300 level: 232 Ancient Israel: History, Literature and Religion 236 Varieties of Judaism in the Greek and Roman World 268 Modern Judaism 269 Classical Texts of Rabbinic Judaism 270 Women in the Bible 275 Community and Authority in Medieval Judaism 363 Classical Texts in Judaism; when applicable: 205 Religion and Ethics, II 305 Topics in Culture and Religion 320 Topics in Religious Ethics 340 Inquiries in World Religions 350 Topics in Religious Thought 380 Topics in Religious Texts 392 Study Abroad in Religion 393 Internship in Religious Studies (Experiential Learning)
Specialized Study:	399 Independent Study
Senior Thesis Option:	397 Senior Thesis
Allied Field Requirements:	Three courses, approved by advisor or Chair, one must be 300 level.

Women's and Gender Studies in Religion Concentration

56 hours in Religious Studies (60 with the Senior Thesis option) and 8 hours in Allied Fields. Courses should be selected with the help of the student's academic advisor. All courses in allied fields must be approved by the student's academic advisor. Students must take a minimum of six 300-level courses.

Core:	103 Religious Worlds in Comparative Perspective (formerly 203) 208 Methods and Approaches in the Study of Religion 390 Integrating Seminar
200-Level:	Four of the following: 270 Women in the Bible 272 Muslim Women in Texts 274 Women in African Religion and Culture 278 Women and Religion; when applicable: 215 The African American Religious Experience 259 Religion and Social Engagement (Experiential Learning) 264 Colonization, Religion and Resistance
300-Level:	Five of the following: 300 Theories of Culture and Religion 301 Theories of Religion and Spirituality 322 Feminist Ethics 332 Gender and Family in Early Christianity 370 Feminist Theologies 372 Religion and Feminism: Cross-cultural Perspectives 399 Independent Study; when applicable: 305 Topics in Culture and Religion 320 Topics in Religious Ethics 340 Inquiries in World Religions 380 Topics in Religious Texts 392 Study Abroad in Religion 393 Internship in Religious Studies (Experiential Learning)
Electives:	Two required.
Senior Thesis Option:	397 Senior Thesis
Allied Field Requirements:	Two courses, approved by advisor or Chair.

Learning Goals for Majors (Approved 3/02/01)

The Department of Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to explore the religious dimensions of life and culture. The Department envisions the following learning goals for our majors as the basis for understanding religion as a field of study.

These goals are to be achieved by any Religious Studies major pursuing any one of our five concentrations. Individual courses must be structured so that students will achieve some specific goals. The learning goals listed in the syllabus may be stated more eloquently than are these departmental goals but any Religious Studies faculty member should be able to spot the specific program learning goals that are to be achieved within a particular course.

These goals articulate, not the general aspirations for educating a well-rounded graduate, but what we can reasonably expect an educated Religious Studies major to know and be able to do because of the education provided by the major.

Demonstrate a working knowledge of some significant elements of religion, such as myth and narrative, symbol, ritual, law and doctrine, ethics, experience, and systems of cosmic, social and individual order--as they are manifested in particular traditions and cultures, past or present.
Make critical comparisons among religious traditions, experiences, and practices across culture, time, ethnicity, race or gender.
Analyze and reflect on the meaning of religious beliefs and practices.
Explore the moral dimensions of religion and culture through specific examples.
Demonstrate the ability to read and critically interpret religious texts.
Analyze the interaction of religion and other dimensions of culture.
Acquire a historical knowledge of one or more religions in specific settings.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between religion and other elements of society in such issues as the connection between religion and power, the role of religious movements as forces of personal and social transformation and social justice, and the role of religion in social integration.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of and the ability to apply to religious phenomena various theories, methodological perspectives, and experiential approaches to religious studies.
Acquire a working knowledge of library, bibliographic resources, and/or field methods in religious studies.
Demonstrate an integrated vision of the field of Religious Studies expressed in a focus on the student's area(s) of interest.

Additionally the department pursues, selectively and in conjunction with other programs of study that contribute to the education of a DePaul graduate, methods of instruction which facilitate the achievement of the University's Ten Learning Goals. Each course approved for Liberal Studies credit meets the goals outlined for the particular domain in which the course is located.

Religious Studies Minor

Standard Minor

Exposes students to a variety of religious traditions, elements and issues while allowing for a focus that complements the student's major.