Concentration in Religion (1510A)

The major in religion allows students to explore religion and religious traditions form a variety of disciplinary and topical perspectives. Students are required to complete 10 courses, chosen with the help of an advisor, with a grade of C or higher:

1. Two 100-level courses. Majors are strongly encouraged to fulfill the 100-level requirement with CAS RN 103 and 104. Alternatively, they may take one course in “Religious Traditions” (CAS RN 103 or 104) and one in “Comparative Themes” (CAS RN 100, 101, 102, 106, 111, 121, or 122).
2. CAS RN 200 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Religion, ideally taken in the sophomore year or, if the major is declared later, as soon as possible thereafter.
3. Two additional 200-level RN courses.
4. Two 300-level RN courses.
5. One course at the 400 level or above.
6. Two additional courses at the 300 level or above.

Students who have successfully completed CAS CC 101 (Core Humanities I) or CC 102 (Core Humanities II) or both may substitute one or both of these courses for the required 100-level religion course(s).

Students may, with the approval of their advisors, count toward the major a maximum of two related courses taken in other departments. Students who have completed CAS CC 101 (Core Humanities I) or CC 102 (Core Humanities II) and have applied those courses toward the required 100-level religion courses will normally not be allowed to count any additional courses from other departments toward the major.

Concentration in Anthropology and Religion (2219A)

For information about this joint concentration, see the description on the Department of Anthropology website.

Concentration in Classics and Religion (1546A)

For information about this joint concentration, see the description on the Department of Classics website.

Concentration in Philosophy and Religion (1520A)

For information about this joint concentration, see the description on the Department of Philosophy website.

BA/MA Concentration in Religion (1510A)

The BA/MA concentration in Religion is a flexible program that can be designed to meet a broad range of intellectual and personal needs-including the needs of those students preparing for teaching careers in secondary education. The concentration consists of at least 18 courses (including CAS RN 495 for concentrators) completed with a grade of B or higher, 10 of which must be at the 500 level or above. Admission to the program is competitive and normally occurs at the beginning of the student’s junior year. Students considering the program should consult with an advisor as early as possible in order to formulate an appropriate plan of study. They should also meet with the departmental Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss the application procedure. Please refer to Special Courses and Programs under College of Arts and Sciences on this site for general information about BA/MA programs.

Minor Concentration in Religion (1510B)

The major in religion allows students to explore religion and religious traditions from a variety of disciplinary and topical perspectives. Students are required to complete 10 courses, chosen with the help of an advisor, with a grade of C or higher:

  1. Two 100-level courses. Majors are strongly encouraged to fulfill the 100-level requirement with CAS RN 103 and 104. Alternatively, they may take one course in “Religious Traditions” (CAS RN 103 or 104) and one in “Comparative Themes” (CAS RN 100, 101, 102, 106, 111, 121, or 122).
  2. CAS RN 200 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Religion, ideally taken in the sophomore year or, if the major is declared later, as soon as possible thereafter.
  3. Two additional 200-level RN courses.
  4. Two 300-level RN courses.
  5. One course at the 400 level or above.
  6. Two additional courses at the 300 level or above.

Students who have successfully completed CAS CC 101 (Core Humanities I) or CC 102 (Core Humanities II) or both may substitute one or both of these courses for the required 100-level religion course(s).

Students may, with the approval of their advisors, count toward the major a maximum of two related courses taken in other departments. Students who have completed CAS CC 101 (Core Humanities I) or CC 102 (Core Humanities II) and have applied those courses toward the required 100-level religion courses will normally not be allowed to count any additional courses from other departments toward the major.

Minor Concentration in Jewish Studies (1585B)

Jewish civilization originates in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Ancient Near East, where it interacted with the high urban civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Through a far-flung diaspora, centered on sacred traditions rooted in its place of origin, Jewish cultures have since flourished across the globe.

If you are interested in the academic study of Jewish history, culture, and religion you have the opportunity, in addition to taking elective courses, many of which fulfill general educational requirements (including language and Humanities/Social Sciences divisional studies requirements), of pursuing an inter-disciplinary minor in Jewish Studies, administered through the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies. Participating in this concentration are faculty from a wide range of units and disciplines, including the CAS departments of Religion, History, and MLCL. Students can choose to concentrate in a particular field of Jewish Studies or seek a broad program of study.

For an initial advising appointment and to register with us, please contact Michael Zank, Acting Director of the EWCJS, at 147 Bay State Road, Room 407, call 617.353.4434, or email mzank@bu.edu.

Requirements: Six courses are required, with a grade of C or higher, including CAS RN 216. Of the remaining five courses, no more than one can be at the 100-level, and no more than one at the 200-level. The remaining three courses should be taken at the 300-level or higher, with the exception that CAS LH courses numbered LH 250 or higher may be taken toward this 300-level requirement. The study of Hebrew is strongly encouraged. Students who choose to complete the CAS foreign language requirement using Hebrew may receive credit for CAS LH 212 toward the minor concentration in Jewish Studies. Any student may count up to two courses in Hebrew language toward the minor, provided those courses are taken at the LH 212 level or higher.
An updated list of courses counting toward the minor in Jewish Studies can be found on the website of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies at www.bu.edu/judaicstudies/courses.

Students enrolled in the Jewish Studies minor concentration are encouraged to choose classes from within one of the following four curricular areas:

I. Sacred Texts and Interpretations

II. Language, Literature, and Film

III. History and Society

IV. Philosophy and Thought

The full course inventory can be downloaded at JSCourseCat2012.