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2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Religion
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Hours for the Degree: 120
Minor: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: www.religion.ufl.edu/undergraduate.html

Recent developments at home and abroad show that religion continues to be a powerful force, with both positive and negative consequences. An undergraduate major in religion provides students with the basic tools to understand the diversity of religious phenomena throughout the world in their proper historical, socio-political, psychological, cultural and philosophical contexts. Thus, students majoring in religion receive a truly interdisciplinary training that prepares them well for advanced degrees in the humanities, social sciences, law, education, journalism and social services. Many of our graduates have also gone on to work with non-government organizations or to pursue careers in ministry and church administration.

The program consists of 10 courses, which include at least one in Asian religions, one in Islam and one in Jewish or Christian Scripture. In addition, all majors must complete a junior seminar on methods and theories in the study of religion and a capstone comparative East-West seminar.

An undergraduate major in religion consists of 10 courses (30 credit hours) with grades of C or better. These courses must be taken from the introductory, intermediate and advanced levels of the religion curriculum and they must expose the student to both eastern and western thought.

Required for the Major
  • One course in Asian religion (REL 2317, REL 2341, REL 3318, REL 3330, REL 3335, REL 3336, REL 4337, REL 4345, REL 4349),
  • One course in Islam (REL 2362, REL 3366, REL 3367, REL 4364) and
  • One course in Jewish or Christian Scripture (REL 2210, REL 2240, REL 3249, REL 3252, REL 4293).
  • In addition, all majors must complete REL 3931 (during their junior year) and
  • Complete a total of three 4000-level courses, at least one of which must be the comparative study course (REL 4933).
  • Majors may not count more than three introductory courses (2000-level) toward their 30 hours.
  • No more than three courses (nine credit hours) may be in approved cognate courses from other departments and
  • No more than four courses (12 credit hours) may be transferred from another institution.
  • Every two semesters all majors must consult the undergraduate adviser.

There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses. Detailed descriptions of current and prospective courses are available in Anderson Hall, Room 107, before registration and from faculty members.

Critical Tracking and Semester Plan

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2:

  • Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

Semester 3:

  • Complete 1 religion course

Semester 4:

  • Complete 1 additional religion course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work

Semester 5:

  • Complete 1 additional religion course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work

Suggested semester-by-semester plan

Semester 1Credits
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Foreign language4-5
Mathematics (MGF 1106 recommended) (GE-M)3
Electives4
Total 14-15
Semester 2Credits
Asian Religion (REL 2317, REL 2341, REL 3330 or REL 3336)3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Foreign language3-5
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 15-17
Semester 3Credits
Jewish or Christian Scripture (REL 2210, REL 2240, REL 3249 or REL 3252)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Physical Science (GE-P)3
Elective (or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option)3
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
Islam (REL 2362, REL 3317, REL 3366 or REL 3367)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B)1
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Elective3-0
Total 16-13
Semester 5Credits
REL 3931 Junior Seminar3
Religion elective 3000 level or higher3
Physical Science (GE-P)3
Electives6
Total 15
Semester 6Credits
Religion electives (one at 3000 or above and one at 4000 level)6
Electives9
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
Religion elective 4000 level3
Religion elective 3000 level or higher3
Electives (3000 level or higher, not in major)9
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
REL 4933 The Comparative Study of Religion (GE-H)3
Electives (3000 level or higher, not in major)9
Elective3
Total 15