RELIGIOUS STUDIES CURRICULUM 

Program Courses Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

  

 
 
bulletThe curriculum combines program courses with offerings from various departments representing specific disciplines.
bulletIt is a policy of the Studies in Religion Program to find ways to cross-list selected courses of participating departments willing to develop courses that provide some of the perspectives and methods of Religious Studies. One of the functions of the College's interdisciplinary programs is the encouragement of interdepartmental collaboration.
bulletThe curriculum points to the diversity of religious traditions in several courses and by providing two introductory courses in comparative religion:
bulletReligion 1.1: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
bulletReligion 1.2: Religions of South and East Asia
bulletCourses emphasize work with primary sources, both textual and non-textual, and with various expressions of religious experience and influence. 

PROGRAM COURSES

Religion: 1.1 - Religions of the West, 3 hours; 3 credits
A consideration of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in terms of their origins, major beliefs, and practices. Introduction to the concepts of myth, symbol, ritual, and salvation. Relationship of these religions to cultural changes, community life, and individual identity.

Religion: 1.2 - Religions of the East, 3 hours; 3 credits
Development of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, with emphasis on origins, teachings, and role in culture. Unique features of Eastern spirituality through comparison with Western religious outlook. History of East-West religious dialog, especially the influence of Eastern religions on Western thought.

Religion: 10 - Job and the Problem of Evil, 3 hours, 3 credits [Cross-listed with Judaic Studies 22]
Intensive study of the Book of Job as the primary religious work dealing with suffering and evil. Opinions as to "why bad things happen to good people" will be considered in both ancient and modern works. This course is the same as Judaic Studies 22. 
Prerequisite: Studies in Religion 1.1 or permission of the program director.

Religion: 15 - Science and Religion, 3 hours; 3 credits
Similarities and differences in the methodologies, sources of knowledge, modes of thought and language employed by science and religion. Survey of traditional areas of conflict. Examination of attempts by scientists and theologians to bring about a commonality of views. 

Religion 16 - Greek and Roman Mythology, 3 hours, 3 credits [Cross-listed with Classics 15
Classical myths and modern theories of mythology.  Readings in English translation from the ancient sources. This course is the same as Classics 15.
Prerequisite: Studies in Religion 1.1 or 1.2 or permission of the program director.

Religion: 19 - Jesus and the Christian Tradition, 3 hours; 3 credits [Cross-listed with History 30.2]
A cultural history of Christianity from the first century to the present; quest for the historical Jesus; images of Jesus in major eras of world history in scripture, theology, literature, art, and music; the place of Christian culture in the history of world civilization. This course is the same as History 30.2
(Prerequisite: Studies in Religion 1.1 or Core Studies 4, or permission of the director of the Program of Studies in Religion and/or the chairperson of the Department of History.)

Religion: 20 - Special Topics in Religion, 3 hours; 3 credits
Topics vary from term to term. Course descriptions may be obtained from the program director before registration. Students may take this course for credit twice but may not repeat topics.
(Prerequisite or co-requisite: Studies in Religion 1.1 or 1.2 or permission of a program director.)

Religion: 70 - Seminar in Studies in Religion, 3 hours; 3 credits
Advanced study of a major theme, problem, or thinker in the field of religion. Topic is selected by the instructor. Course description may be obtained from the program director

Religion: 83.1 - Independent Studies I 
Minimum of 9 hours conference and independent work; 3 credits
Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Approved reading. Periodic conferences. Final examination or term paper.
(Prerequisite: completion of a program approved by the program director in the Studies in Religion Program or related departments; and approval of the instructor)

Religion: 83.2 - Independent Studies II
Minimum of 9 hours conference and independent work; 3 credits
Independent study supervised by a faculty member. Approved reading. Periodic conferences. Final examination or term paper.
(Prerequisite: completion of a program approved by the program director in the Studies in Religion Program or related departments; and approval of the instructor)

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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 

B.A. degree program for studies in religion dual major
Program requirements (21 credits plus a major in a department approved by the program director)

Students must complete 21 credits chosen from the required courses listed below, in addition to completing a primary major in a related field approved by the program director. A dual major may apply up to three credits from his or her primary major towards fulfilling the requirements of the Program of Studies in Religion.

Students must complete parts 1 through 5.

  1. Two introductory courses (6 credits):
    Studies in Religion 1.1
    Studies in Religion 1.2.
  2. One of the following courses in methodological approaches to religion (3 credits), plus any prerequisite of the course:
    Anthropology 42
    Philosophy 44
    Sociology 76.
  3. Two of the following courses in the thought, literature, or the arts of religious traditions (6 credits), plus any prerequisite of the courses; courses must be chosen from different religious traditions:
    Art 11.5
    Art 11.6
    Classics 15/Religious Studies 16
    Classics 17
    Comparative Literature 33.1
    Comparative Literature 36.1
    English 31.2
    Hebrew 45.1
    Judaic Studies 17
    Judaic Studies 18.1 or 30
    Judaic Studies 18.2 or 31
    Judaic Studies 14 or 19
    Judaic Studies 22/ Religious Studies 10
    Judaic Studies 37 or 41
    Philosophy 45
    Puerto Rican Studies 14.5
    Puerto Rican Studies 15.5.
  4. One of the following courses in the history of religions(3 credits), plus any prerequisite of the course:
    Africana Studies 14
    American Studies 62 (This course is the same as History 43.11.)
    Classics 37
    History 21.7
    History 22.1
    History 23.3
    History 23
    History 28.3
    History 30.2/ Religious Studies 19
    History 43.11 (This course is the same as American Studies 62.)
    Judaic Studies 12 or 12.1
    Judaic Studies 13 or 12.2.
  5. Seminar in studies in religion:
    Studies in Religion 70.

Courses other than those listed, including Studies in Religion 20, may be credited toward requirements 3 and 4 with permission of the program director.

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MINOR REQUIREMENTS

Fifteen credits from courses listed in the program's offerings, each completed with a grade of C or higher, including either Religion 1.1 or 1.2. Nine or more of these credits must be completed at Brooklyn College. Students should meet with the program director or a counselor to plan a sequence of courses suited to their individual interests or career plans.

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