RELG - Religious Studies Major

Ten courses with a grade of C- or better are required for the major divided as follows:

1. 3 foundational courses (Current options are RELG 101, 109, 110, 151, 181, 211, 212, 256, 281, 286, 288)

2. 2 advanced courses (Current options are RELG 215, 236, 275, 284, 304, 308, 312, 316, 317, 321, 323, 324, 326, 327, 374)

3. 4 electives

4. 1 Senior Seminar: Writing Religion

 To gain depth, within these ten courses students must designate one 3 course cluster in one of the following areas:

1. Religious tradition (e.g., Buddhism; Islam)

2. Cultural-geographic area (e.g., Africana; Middle East)

3. Methodological approach (e.g., textual studies; ethnographic)

4. Thematic (e.g., mysticism and spirituality; religion, public life and ethics; gender and sexuality)

To maintain breadth, within these ten courses students must also designate two courses which are distinct both from each other and from their designated cluster.

Students may request independent studies to fulfill the major requirement. Normally the department accepts up to two relevant courses from outside the department as counting toward the religious studies major. However, the department will consider petitions asking for credit for additional courses taken outside the department.

SENIOR SEMINAR
All majors are required to enroll in the Senior Seminar, “Writing Religion,” in the fall of their senior year. This seminar addresses methods for conducting research in the study of religion. The final product of the seminar is one of two options: 1) a capstone paper, or 2) a proposal and literature review for a senior thesis, the writing for which will continue during the spring. Only students who write a senior thesis will be considered for the possibility of Honors. Students must present their work during a colloquium in April. The work presented is, once again, either:

1)   a capstone paper (15-20 page integrative paper)

2)   a senior thesis (40 page/10,000 word min.)

Additional Opportunities

Foreign language: In addition, students are encouraged to study foreign languages, especially those that would enable them to read primary religious texts, for example, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, and Pali. Language courses may be counted for the religious studies major only if the course covers significant textual exegesis of religious literature.

Senior thesis research grant: Thanks to the generosity of Trinity alumnus Tom Chappell, the Theodor Mauch Fund has been established to provide a $1,000 award for the best senior religious studies thesis as determined by the faculty of the religious studies department. The fund also provides approximately $1,000 for assisting one or more persons in doing research on their senior theses. The recipient of this research grant will be determined by the faculty in the department upon receipt of a grant proposal on the last day prior to the spring break in the student's junior year.

Study away: There are many study-away opportunities available for the religious studies major. In addition to the Trinity Rome Program, students may opt to go on Trinity-approved programs, such as to India, Israel, Thailand, Tibet, and the United Kingdom. Religious studies majors may also petition the Office of Study Away to go on other programs, so long as they consult their departmental advisers about their options.

Honors: Students qualify for honors in religious studies by earning a Distinction on their senior thesis, and by maintaining a grade point average of A- or higher.