B.S. in Religion

Program Overview

The B.S. in Religion at Texas Wesleyan University equips students with interfaith skills and knowledge to shape communities through understanding and compassion. The flexible curriculum allows for significant elective choices, enabling students to tailor their program to specific interests and career aspirations. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and intercultural competence, empowering students to pursue further studies, careers, or community engagement in the field of religion and related areas.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

in Religion at Texas Wesleyan University is designed to equip students with the interfaith skills and knowledge to shape their communities through understanding and compassion.

• To cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and intercultural competence for shaping inclusive and ethical communities.
• To empower students to pursue further studies, careers, or community engagement within the field of religion and related areas.

Outline:

Structure:

• The program requires a total of 120 credit hours, including 36 hours of General Education, 30 hours of Religion major courses, and 54 hours of electives.
• Within the 30 major hours, students must take three hours at the 1000 level, three hours at the 2000 level, and at least 18 hours at the 3000 level or above.
Individual course offerings and schedules can be found on the Texas Wesleyan University Course Catalog or through academic advising.

Modules:

• General Education: Consists of 36 hours across various areas like English, Speech, Math, Science, Cultural Literacy, and Social Literacy.
• Religion Major Courses:
• Required Related Courses:
• REL 1311 - Introduction to Jewish Scriptures
• REL 1312 - Introduction to Christian Scriptures
• REL 1313 - Introduction to Ethics
• REL 1321 - Introduction to Comparative Religions
• REL 1323 - Introduction to Interfaith Leadership
• ENG 3310 - Advanced Writing
• Choose 3 or 6 hours of religion courses at 1000 level:
• REL 1150 - Independent Study
• REL 1311 - Introduction to Jewish Scriptures
• REL 1312 - Introduction to Christian Scriptures
• REL 1313 - Introduction to Ethics
• REL 1321 - Introduction to Comparative Religions
• REL 1323 - Introduction to Interfaith Leadership
• REL 1350 - Independent Study
• Choose 3 hours from religion courses at the 2000 level:
• REL 2321 - Encountering Asian Traditions
• REL 2322 - Encountering Abrahamic Traditions
• Choose at least 18 hours of religion or religious history courses at 3000 level or above:
• Wide range of courses offered, including:
• HIS 3331 - History of England
• HIS 3342 - Era of the Crusades
• HIS 3343 - Renaissance, Reformations, & Rise of Nat
• REL 3150 - Independent Study
• REL 3250 - Independent Study
• REL 3315 - Interfaith Leadership
• REL 3315H - Interfaith Leadership
• REL 3322 - The Buddha and His Teachings
• REL 3322H - The Buddha and His Teachings
• REL 3323 - Exploring Islamic Tradtions
• REL 3323H - Exploring Islamic Traditions
• REL 3324 - Exploring Christian Traditions
• REL 3324H - Exploring Christian Traditions
• REL 3325 - Exploring Jewish Traditions
• REL 3325H - Exploring Jewish Traditions
• REL 3340 - Exploring Daoism
• REL 3340H - Exploring Daoism
• REL 3350 - Independent Study
• REL 3361 - Jesus' Life & Teachings
• REL 3361H - Jesus' Life & Teachings
• REL 3363 - Religion in America
• REL 3363H - Religion in America
• REL 3364 - Pursuing Happiness
• REL 3364H - Pursuing Happiness
• REL 3370 - Religion, Justice, and Human Rights
• REL 3370H - Religion, Justice, and Human Rights
• REL 3371 - Religion, Science and the Environment
• REL 3371H - Religion, Science, and the Environment
• REL 3399 - Special Topics
• REL 3451 - Independent Study
• HIS 4328 - His of Ancient Greece & Rome
• HIS 4329 - Heresy, Witchcraft, and Popular Violence
• HIS 4348 - The Byzantines and Turks
• REL 4150 - Independent Study
• REL 4250 - Independent Study
• REL 4345 - Religion & Popular Culture
• REL 4345H - Religion & Popular Culture
• REL 4350 - Independent Study
• REL 4368 - Experiencing Religion Through Travel
• REL 4393 - Internship
• REL 4399 - Special Topics
• REL 4450 - Independent Study
• Capstone Experience:
• REL 4343 - Saints, Sages & Social Reformers (requires completion of 9 upper-level Religion hours)

Assessment:

Assessment methods:

• Midterm and final examinations
• Quizzes
• Research papers
• Class participation
• Presentations
• Project work

Assessment criteria:

• Understanding of course concepts and theories
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios
• Written and oral communication skills
• Research and information literacy skills

Teaching:

Teaching methods:

• Interactive lectures
• Discussions
• Group projects
• Field trips
• Independent research
• Service-learning opportunities

Faculty:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified faculty members with expertise in various religious traditions and related fields.