Nov 24, 2024

Undergraduate Catalog | 2024-2025

Religious Studies, B.A.

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All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements

New Freshmen

See University Admission Requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.0. Students with a GPA below 2.0 should consult with the Undergraduate Program Director
Declaration of Major: Online Change of Major form accepted year-round; appointment with Undergraduate Program Director required prior to declaration for students already attending UNC Charlotte, freshmen who declare when applying, appointment at SOAR, or within first week of classes at UNC Charlotte

New Transfer

See University Admission Requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Declaration of Major: Transfer students declare when applying, appointment at SOAR, or within first week of classes at UNC Charlotte.
Transferable Credit Hours: 24

Currently Enrolled Students

Onlne Change of Major form accepted year-round. Form found on the Religious Studies website.

Degree Requirements

A Major in Religious Studies leading to the B.A. degree requires 30 credit hours in RELS courses. At least five (5) courses, including RELS 4600 , must be at the 3000-level or above.

Two 3-credit hour courses that are cross-listed with Religious Studies courses but taught in another department or program (e.g., History, Anthropology, Africana Studies, Women and Gender Studies, etc.) may count toward the Major in Religious Studies. These courses may have the designation of the cross-listed department. For these courses to be counted toward the Religious Studies major, students must request from their advisor a “Request for Cross-Listed Courses in Another Department to Count Toward The Major in Religious Studies” form and submit it to their advisor who will include it in their advising file. The form must be submitted no later than October 1 for graduation in December; March 1 for graduation in May; and June 1 for graduation in summer.

One general education course (RELS 1502 , RELS 1512 , or CTCM) taught by a faculty member in Religious Studies also may count toward the Major in Religious Studies.

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)

For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program . Total hours to satisfy General Education Requirements may vary as some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major with departmental approval. Please see your advisor for information.

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)

For details on required courses, refer to the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences Foreign Language Requirement .

Major Courses (27 credit hours)

Academic Study of Religion Courses (9 credit hours)

Three courses to orient the student to the academic study of religion: RELS 1502 ; RELS 2600 ; and 1 RELS 4000 level course

RELS 1502 - Global Arts/Humanities: Other Worlds (3)
RELS 2600 - Orientation to the Study of Religion (3)
RELS 4xxx (3)

Note:

RELS 2600 is a prerequisite for RELS 4600 . Students are encouraged to take RELS 2600 as early as possible in their program; students typically take RELS 4600 during their final year.

Textual Analysis Courses (6 credit hours)

Courses designated as Textual Analysis [T]* focus on reading texts closely and carefully, examine methods and histories of textual interpretation, and consider how religious groups and cultures have composed, transmitted, and been shaped by texts. Select from two of the following:

Historical Analysis Courses (6 credit hours)

Courses designated as Historical Analysis [H]* focus on a particular historical period or figure; consider a movement, idea, or institution across several historical periods; and examine questions of historiography more generally. Select from two of the following:

Cultural Analysis Courses (6 credit hours)

Courses designated as Cultural Analysis [C]* focus on how religious discourses, practices, institutions, and communities interact with, influence, and are influenced by the larger culture of which they are a part. Select from two of the following:

Note:

*Depending on how respective sections are taught, a course could fulfill the requirement for Cultural Analysis [C], Historical Analysis [H], or Textual Analysis [T]. Students must consult the course descriptions circulated each semester to determine which designations have been assigned to a particular course.

Restricted Elective Course (3 credit hours)

Select a RELS elective course in consultation with the academic advisor.

RELS xxxx - Religious Studies Elective (3)

Unrestricted Elective Courses

As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours

Progression Requirements

A GPA of 2.0 is required for the major.

Honors Program

For details about the Honors Program in Religious Studies, visit the program page .

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Religious Studies, B.A.

Admission Requirements

New Freshmen

New Transfer

Currently Enrolled Students

Degree Requirements

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)

Major Courses (27 credit hours)

Academic Study of Religion Courses (9 credit hours)

Note:

Textual Analysis Courses (6 credit hours)

Historical Analysis Courses (6 credit hours)

Cultural Analysis Courses (6 credit hours)

Note:

Restricted Elective Course (3 credit hours)

Unrestricted Elective Courses

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours

Progression Requirements

Honors Program

My UNC Charlotte

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Campus Events

Library