DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Major in Religious Studies

The undergraduate major in Religious Studies offers a choice between a general Religious Studies degree -- Global Study of Religion (GSR) and one of three focused interdisciplinary concentrations. 

Requirements (GSR)

The departmental major consists of 12 courses in the department:

• • • Religion 170: Introduction to the Study of Religion
      or Religion 172: Introduction to Religion, Media, and Culture
      
      • Required of all majors and minors as a foundational or “gateway” course to be taken as early as possible in the course of study. 
        
    • Religion 395: Theories of Religion (*Offered every other year, so check with the DUS and/or our course schedule page, and plan ahead.)
      • A capstone course designed for Religious Studies majors and minors but also welcoming of those with a strong interest in Religious Studies.
        
        
    • Ten other religion courses
      • Of these 10 courses, at least 5 must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Course Substitutions

Students may substitute as many as 2 courses on religion from outside the department. Please see the list below of approved courses. Other courses that are squarely focused on the study of religion taught in other departments may be proposed (a full description and copy of syllabus should be provided) for potential approval by the Religious Studies DUS on a case-by-case basis.

• • • Anthro 350: Anthropology of Religion
    • Black Studies 315: Religion in the Black Atlantic
    • English 222: The Bible as Literature
    • Hist 270: Islam in History
    • Hist 355: Islam in Africa
    • Hist 371: Islamic Institutions
    • Hist 374: Historical Background of Jewish-Muslim Relations
    • Phil 266: Philosophy of Religion
    • Phil 269: Bioethics
    • Soc 314: Sociology of Religion and Ideology

To propose another course for substitution approval, please submit a course description and syllabus, accompanied by a written request, to the Director of the Undergraduate Studies.

Double Counting Rules

Many courses offered at Northwestern fit more than one requirement. In some situations, a Weinberg student taking such a course can count it toward multiple requirements; in other situations, such “double-counting” is not allowed.

The Registrar's website provides a useful summary of Weinberg College double-counting rules for specific majors and minors.

Declaring a Major or a Minor