The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies is in the process of re-registering their major programs in Philosophy and religious Studies with the State of New York. It is anticipated that this will be completed by the Spring Semester of 2010. If necessary, beginning with the Class of 2011, students wishing to pursue a major in Religious Studies or Philosophy will technically pursue the Liberal Arts major, which requires 18 credits of Religious Studies courses and 18 credits of Philosophy courses as described herein and as will be added under the renewed registration.

Once the re-registration with the State is completed, the Religious Studies or Philosophy credits will be converted into a straight Religious Studies or Philosophy major with the credits from the other discipline applied to the a minor in that discipline, if the student wishes.

The department also offers Minors in Philosophy and Religious Studies. The department also offers Minors in Philosophy and Religious Studies.The program critically examines the feelings, ideas, rituals, values, ethics, patterns of community, and history of the major religious traditions of the world.

B.A. in Religious Studies

The program critically examines the feelings, ideas, rituals, values, ethics, patterns of community, and history of the major religious traditions of the world. The discipline employs various methodologies in addition to the purely theological: historical, psychological, philosophical, and sociological. There is an emphasis upon showing the existential impact of these various aspects of religion, i.e., how they concretely affect the lives of believers. This, in turn, becomes the occasion for students to reflect upon their own experiences and values.

1. Core Curriculum Requirements: All students must take RELS 208 as one of the foundation courses in the Core Curriculum. The course must be completed by the end of sophomore year and is paired with the core course in Philosophy. Honor students must consult the Honors Program for their core requirements.

2. All students must take either a) the Senior Level Integrated course which integrates religion with some other discipline or b) an elective course in religion from a menu to be designated by the department.
Electives: Students are encouraged to elect any course in Religious Studies any time after their first course, RELS 208.