Requirements for the Religious Studies major are built around four learning outcomes all students should achieve:

• Demonstrate familiarity with various religious traditions by articulating a foundational knowledge of the Christian tradition and an introductory knowledge of a tradition other than the student’s own

• Begin to apply various critical lenses of awareness (e.g., historical, cultural, contemporary, ethical, spiritual, scientific, secular) in religious/theological thinking and ritualizing

• Relate and apply religious understanding and Franciscan values to contemporary issues and problems of human concern

• Understand religious diversity as a dimension of a globalized society

Religious Studies Major: 36 credits (12 courses)

Each course in the Religious Studies major has been identified with one of the learning outcomes listed above.  The student may choose which courses to take to fulfill the learning outcome requirements.  Note: The required religion course for the Liberal Arts Core will be counted toward the major.  Religious Studies majors are also allowed to take one other 100-level religion course in addition to the required course for the liberal arts core to be counted toward the major.

• 3 courses from Learning Outcome 1: REL 103, 104, 209, 212, 316

• 4 courses from Learning Outcome 2: REL 106, 207, 225, 226, 227, 230, 313, 320, 405

• 2 courses from Learning Outcome 3: REL 105, 220, 343, 345, 350, 356, 360, 465, 468

• 2 courses from Learning Outcome 4: REL 243, 312, 321, 322

All Religious Studies majors are also required to take one Capstone course which is a culmination and synthesis of all the learning outcomes.  The Capstone version of the course includes a research project. A student can choose from the following courses to use as a Capstone in their Junior or Senior year: REL 308, 313, 405.  
 
Religious Studies courses and advanced core certificates: REL 311 contributes to the advanced liberal arts core certificate/minor in Social Justice. This course may also be counted toward the major or minor in Religious Studies.

Religious Studies Minor: 21 credits (7 courses)

The information regarding learning outcomes for the Religious Studies major also applies to the minor.  See information above for choice of courses for each outcome.

• 2 courses from Learning Outcome 1

• 3 courses from Learning Outcome 2

• 1 course from Learning Outcome 3

• 1 course from Learning Outcome 4 

Religious Studies minors are not required to take a Capstone course.

Certificate in Urban Ministry

Certificate in Urban Ministry may constitute a segment of the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies degree (36 Religious Studies credits) or the Master of Religious Studies degree (30 credits). Outreach (non-credit) students may obtain a Certificate of Recognition in Urban Ministry.
 
Completion of the certificate is based on showing competencies in certain skills that may or may not be attained through academic work.  Some of the competencies listed below may be fulfilled through courses offered in either the traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, or through classes offered in conjunction with the St. Clare Center for Catholic Life.  Other competencies may be granted based on previous academic work or on work and life experience.  Urban Ministry Certificate students should meet with their advisor to assess their route towards completing these competencies.
 
Required competencies for certificate completion (at non-credit, undergraduate or graduate levels):

• Basic understanding of the theological foundations of church.

• An understanding of the theory and practice of social justice, especially in the urban setting.

• Competency in social or interpersonal communication.

• Familiarity with the organization and functioning of a church community.

• Knowledge of resources in the urban setting for enhancing the life of an urban congregation.

• Internship/practicum. 

Philosophy

Courses in Philosophy are designed to invite students into a dialogue with major thinkers throughout history about the meaning and nature of human existence.  Through reading great works by Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, René Descartes, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and others, students discover how philosophical ideas have informed the way we understand ourselves and our world today.  The perennial questions asked by philosophers concern realities such as human freedom and knowledge, morality and politics, soul and its relation to the body, God’s existence and nature.  Reading and thinking about these great works inspires students to consider and articulate their own philosophical perspectives.
 
All students are required to take one of the following to fulfill their Liberal Arts Core requirement: PL 101, 102, 103 or 104. Courses in philosophy encourage students to read and think carefully and critically and provide an excellent preparation for careers in law, business, communications, and education.  Basic to a liberal arts education, the study of philosophy enhances any humanities major. 

Philosophy Minor: 18 credits (6 courses)

A minimum of 18 credits in Philosophy including at least one but no more than two of the following: PL 101, 102, 103 or 104. 

NOTE: Philosophy courses and Advanced Core Certificates: PL 208 contributes to the Advanced Liberal Arts Core Certificate/Minor in Social Justice.  This course may also count toward the minor in Philosophy.