Program Overview

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Introduction to the Religious Studies Program

The Religious Studies program at the University of WisconsinMadison is an academic discipline that examines religious phenomena worldwide from different perspectives to understand the various roles that religion plays in human life. Students of religion learn to use a variety of theoretical analyses and methods, including historical, critical literary, aesthetic, and social-scientific approaches.

Program Description

Religious studies can engage a variety of professional disciplines in the analysis of how religion functions in economic, educational, or political contexts, healthcare, and scientific research, among others. The field requires a willingness to explore different ways of interpreting human life and diligent effort to develop an understanding of how religious ideas, symbols, rituals, and spaces serve as resources for people in various contexts.

How to Get In

To declare the Religious Studies major, students must meet the following requirements:

• No application is required.
• There are no specific courses, GPA, or credit requirements to get in.
• Students declared in the Religious Studies certificate may not be declared in the Religious Studies major at the same time.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison must fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements, which include:

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete the following requirements:

• Mathematics: Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework.
• Language: Complete the fourth unit of a language other than English, or complete the third unit of a language and the second unit of an additional language other than English.
• L&S Breadth: Complete 12 credits of Humanities, 12 credits of Social Science, and 12 credits of Natural Science.
• Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: Complete at least 108 credits.
• Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work: Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level.
• Major: Declare and complete at least one major.
• Total Credits: Complete at least 120 credits.
• UW-Madison Experience: Complete 30 credits in residence, overall, and 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
• Quality of Work: Maintain a 2.000 GPA in all coursework at UWMadison and a 2.000 GPA in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UWMadison.

Requirements for the Major

Students must complete 30 credits in Religious Studies coursework, including:

• Gateway: Complete one course (3 credits) from the following options:
  • RELIG ST 101: Religion in Global Perspective
  • RELIG ST 102: Exploring Religion in Sickness and Health
  • RELIG ST 103: Exploring Religion and Sexuality
  • RELIG ST/FOLKLORE 104: Sacred Places and Journeys
  • RELIG ST 105: Religion and Popular Culture-Local and Global
• Middle Sequence: Complete 15 credits from a list of approved courses.
• Capstone: Complete RELIG ST 600: Religion in Critical Perspective (3 credits).
• Electives: Complete 9 credits from any RELIG ST course (100-699).

Residence and Quality of Work

• Maintain a 2.000 GPA in all RELIG ST and major courses.
• Maintain a 2.000 GPA on 15 Upper-Level credits for the major, taken in residence.
• Complete 15 credits in RELIG ST or the major, taken on campus.

Honors in the Major

To earn Honors in the Major, students must:

• Maintain a minimum 3.300 University GPA.
• Maintain a minimum 3.500 GPA in all RELIG ST and major courses.
• Complete 12 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better, including:
  • RELIG ST 600
  • RELIG ST 681 and RELIG ST 682 (for at least 6 credits)
  • 3 additional credits of Intermediate or Advanced level RELIG ST and major courses.

University Degree Requirements

• Total Degree: Earn a minimum of 120 degree credits.
• Residency: Earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UWMadison.
• Quality of Work: Maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Religious Studies program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in close reading, interpretation, and written and oral analysis.
2. Access, appraise, and utilize a variety of resources and methods for research across disciplinary lines.
3. Categorize, analyze, and compare diverse systems of value and belief in various contexts.
4. Demonstrate global and local religious literacy, identifying, evaluating, and interpreting the interrelationships and impact of religious worldviews and communities.
5. Conduct and present sustained research on primary sources using methodologies and analysis of religious studies, culminating in the senior capstone project.

Four-Year Plan

The Four-Year Plan is a suggested outline for completing the Religious Studies major. Students should consult with their academic advisor to create a personalized plan.

Advising and Careers

The Religious Studies program offers advising and career resources to help students succeed. Dr. Corrie Norman is the undergraduate advisor and Honors in the Major advisor. Students can also utilize SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science for career guidance and exploration.