PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

The Religious Studies major is an interdisciplinary humanities program that focuses on the academic study of the world’s religious traditions and how they are related to various aspects of human existence (psychology, sociology, ethics, philosophy, language, economics, politics, science, etc.).   The B.A. in Religious Studies provides grounding in the histories, scriptures, rituals, mythologies, ethics, and beliefs of religious communities as they have been situated in specific geo-political contexts throughout the past three millennia.  It should be emphasized that the program is not intended to indoctrinate students into one particular religion or to teach them to become religious, but is focused rather on studying how religion both historically and theoretically motivates, provides meaning for, and helps to organize human life.  The program trains students to be global thinkers with a deeper understanding of the world’s cultural, political, and social differences.  Historically, Religious Studies majors have gone on to pursue graduate work and employment in a number of fields, including law, medicine, ministry, non-profit and service related industries, in addition to numerous others.

In addition to completing the General Education curriculum, the Religious Studies major must meet the requirements of the School of Humanities plus complete HIST 1720 and 1730 and 6 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework in Philosophy.  Students are encouraged to substitute a double-major for their minor and should speak with their advisor early during their academic tenure at Clemson to ensure that both majors are completed within four years.

All majors must take REL 1020, 3000, 3990, and 4900.  They must also take one course each in Judaism (Rel 3010 or 3060), Christianity (Rel 3020 or 3070), and Islam (Rel 3030 or 3150), as well as 12 additional credits in Religious Studies at the 3000-4000 level.  Students may take PHIL 3030, ENGL 4140, HIST 3960, HIST 4720, SOC 4320, and PO SC 4070 for this last requirement.  PHIL 3030 cannot count both here and in the 6 required Philosophy hours for the major described above.

First Semester

• Social Sciences Requirement (3)1
• Arts and Humanities Literature Requirement (3)1
• Major Requirement (3)
• Major Requirement (3)3
• Science and Technology in Society Requirement (3)1
• 15 hours

Second Semester

• REL 3000: Studying Religion (3)
• 3000-Level+ Philosophy Requirement (3)
• Major Requirement (3)3
• Minor Requirement (3)
• Elective (3)
• 15 hours

First Semester

• REL 4900: Senior Seminar (3)
• Major Requirement (3)3
• Minor Requirement (3)4
• Elective (3)
• Elective (3)
• 15 hours

Second Semester

• 3000-Level+ Philosophy Requirement (3)
• Minor Requirement (3)4
• Elective (3)
• Elective (3)
• Elective (3)
• 15 hours