2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Comparative Religion, BA


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Program Description

Religion is an essential dimension of human thought and experience. It shapes our history, culture, values, and beliefs. It influences debates on a diverse range of issues, including global terrorism and political ideologies, gender and racial equality, ethics and social justice.

The comparative religion faculty offer courses in all the great world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Chinese and Japanese Religions. We teach a variety of courses on Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and American Religious History. In addition, we offer cross-cultural and thematic courses that examine particular topics, including women and religion, religion and politics, human rights, ethics, religious pluralism, mythology, mysticism, and film.

Program faculty use an academic, non-confessional methodology in teaching religion. In our classes we analyze religious beliefs, practices, texts, and institutions both descriptively and critically as intellectual, historical, and cultural phenomena. We do not argue for the truth of one, all, or no religion.

Admissions Requirements

The Comparative Religion Major accepts all students having a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students in the Comparative Religion, BA program will:

  • Acquire effective writing and communication skills
  • Acquire strong critical thinking skills
  • Appreciate the diversity of religious worldviews, traditions, beliefs, and practices
  • Understand how to study religion from an academic perspective.

Comparative Religion Honors Program

Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher in Religion may substitute an Honors project for the major’s Advanced Religion Courses requirement. An Honors project involves independent study with a faculty mentor. It will usually extend over two consecutive terms and earn six hours of credit upon its successful completion. The project culminates in the writing of a major research paper (25-30 pages) during the second term and an oral defense of the project with the Program faculty.

For More Information

Program Requirements:


I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours


Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours


Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours


Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours


Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours


Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours


Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours


Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours


II. Major Requirements: 36 Hours


Introductory Religion Courses: 6 hours


Students must take two 2000-level Religion courses

Upper-Level Religion Electives: 27 hours


Students must take nine 3000-4000 level Religion electives. A minimum of two courses must be taken in each of the following areas:

  • Asian Religions Area Courses: 6 hours minimum
    • REL 3400, 3410, 3420, 3430, 3440, 3450, 3460, 3470, 3480, 3490, 3510, 3530, 3540, 3550, 3810
  • Western Religions Area Courses: 6 hours minimum
    • REL 3100, 3110, 3120, 3200, 3210, 3300, 3310, 3320, 3520, 3600, 3610, 3620, 3640, 3700, 3720, 3730, 3740, 3750, 3760, 3770, 3780, 3790, 3820, 3900, 3930, 3940, 4100, 4500

NOTE: Students may substitute on 3-credit upper-level CLS or PHL course for one 3000-level REL elective.

Asian Religion Area Courses

Advanced Religion Courses: 3 hours


Students must take one 4000-level Religion course. 

NOTE: Students cannot use REL 4810 Independent Study to fulfill this requirement.

Total Number of Credits: 36 hours


III. Related Requirements


IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours


Foreign Language: 12-16 Hours


Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language:

Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

Methods of Inquiry


V. Electives: 24-28 Hours


Total: 120 Hours


Graduation Planning Strategy


The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

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