Religious studies is an academic discipline that looks at religious phenomena worldwide from a variety of angles in order to understand the many roles that religion plays in human life. To this end, students of religion learn to use a variety of theoretical analyses and methods. These include historical methods to understand how religions develop in time; critical literary methods to understand religious ideas; aesthetic methods to understand religious art and material culture; social-scientific methods to understand the relationship between religion, society and culture. Religious studies can also engage a variety of professional disciplines in analysis of how religion functions in economic, educational or political contexts, healthcare and scientific research, to name some examples.
Some ways of studying religion emphasize understanding religions on their own terms, other ways use comparative methods to discern differences and similarities between religions. Students of religion also study ways that people use religious resources to make meaning outside the boundaries of religious institutions and identities. Above all, the field of religious studies requires a willingness to explore different ways of interpreting human life and diligent effort to develop understanding of how religious ideas, symbols, rituals and spaces serve as resources for people in a variety of contexts as they make sense of and live out their lives in the world. Thus, religious studies provides important preparation for thinking, communicating and functioning professionally and personally in a complex, multidimensional world.
Courses
Because religious studies is an interdisciplinary program drawing upon many departments, some courses may have prerequisites in their home departments that must be fulfilled even though the prerequisites themselves have no bearing on progress within the religious studies major. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all the prerequisites to enter a course before they enroll in it. The current list of courses can be found in the Religious Studies course list page in the Guide.
How to Get in
Students who wish to declare their intention to major in religious studies must meet with the undergraduate advisor during regular office hours or by making an appointment. Students are encouraged to do this early in their academic careers in order to plan for successful completion and take advantage of opportunities such as Honors, special research, internship, service learning, or study abroad opportunities in associate with the major or certificate.
Students declared in the Religious Studies certificate may not be declared in the Religious Studies major at the same time. Students who do wish to declare this major must first cancel their declaration in the certificate.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| Language | Complete the third unit of a language other than English. |
| LS Breadth | Complete: • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and • 12 credits of Social Science; and • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science. |
| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall, and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Students must complete 30 credits in Religious Studies course work, to include: | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway (Complete one course:) | 3 | |
| Religion in Global Perspective | ||
| Exploring Religion in Sickness and Health | ||
| Exploring Religion and Sexuality | ||
| Sacred Places and Journeys | ||
| Religion and Popular Culture-Local and Global | ||
| Middle Sequence | 15 | |
| America and Religions | ||
| Christianity: Interpretation and Practice | ||
| Women, Gender and Religion | ||
| Introduction to Buddhism | ||
| The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | ||
| Sects and Cults | ||
| Christianity and the Almighty Dollar | ||
| Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation | ||
| Science, Medicine and Religion | ||
| Prophets of the Bible | ||
| Early Christian Literature: Matthew-Revelation | ||
| King David in History and Tradition | ||
| The American Jewish Life of DNA | ||
| Nordic Mythology | ||
| Anthropology of Religion | ||
| Jewish Literature of the Greco-Roman Period | ||
| Introduction to Taoism | ||
| Shamanism | ||
| Hinduism | ||
| The Sabbath | ||
| Islam, Science & Technology, and the Environment | ||
| Myth | ||
| The Anglo-Saxons | ||
| Early Christian Literature: Pauline Christianity | ||
| Islam: Religion and Culture | ||
| Great Cities of Islam | ||
| The Rhetoric of Religion | ||
| Topics in Religious Studies - Humanities | ||
| Topics in Religious Studies - Social Studies | ||
| Topics in Religious Studies-US Ethnic Studies | ||
| African American Religions | ||
| The Amish | ||
| Children and Religion in America | ||
| The Enlightenment and Its Critics | ||
| Islam in Africa and the Diaspora | ||
| Religious Studies Colloquium | ||
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Milton | ||
| Jewish Philosophy from Antiquity to the Seventeenth Century | ||
| Poverty, Ecology and the Arts: St. Francis of Assisi | ||
| Introduction to Sufism (Islamic Mysticism) | ||
| Buddhist Thought | ||
| Meditation in Indian Buddhism and Hinduism | ||
| Religion, Global and Public Health | ||
| Art and Religious Practice in Medieval Japan | ||
| Advanced Topics in Religious Studies | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Religion and Public Education | ||
| Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean | ||
| Proseminar in Buddhist Thought | ||
| Capstone | ||
| RELIG ST 600 | Religion in Critical Perspective | 3 |
| Electives: Any course from RELIG ST 100 through 699 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all RELIG ST and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on 15 Upper-Level credits for the major, taken in residence1
- 15 credits in RELIG ST or the major, taken on campus
- 1
Courses counting as upper-level in the major are any RELIG ST courses at the Intermediate or Advanced level.
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the Religious Studies undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and these additional requirements:
- Minimum 3.300 University GPA
- Minimum 3.500 GPA in all RELIG ST and all major courses
- Complete 12 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better, to include:
- RELIG ST 600
- RELIG ST 681 and RELIG ST 682 for at least 6 credits.
- 3 additional credits of Intermediate or Advanced level RELIG ST and major courses
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Proficiency in close reading, interpretation, and written and oral analysis.
- Proficiency in accessing, appraising, and utilizing a variety of resources and methods for research across disciplinary lines.
- Proficiency in categorizing, analyzing and comparing diverse systems of value and belief in a variety of contexts.
- Global and local religious literacy; identifying, evaluating, and interpreting the interrelationships and impact of religious worldviews and communities in Wisconsin, the United States and globally.
- Ability to conduct and present sustained research on primary sources using methodologies/analysis of religious studies culminating in the senior capstone project.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST 101, 102, 103, 104, or 105 | 3 | RELIG ST course meeting Literature Breadth1 | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | RELIG ST elective | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| Foreign Language (if needed) | 4 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST course with Literature Breadth1 | 3 | RELIG ST/ILS 234 or 236 (meets Communication B requirement) | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | RELIG ST/FOLKLORE 352, 403, or 404 (meets Ethnic Studies requirement) | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | I/A COMP SCI, MATH or STAT (if needed for BS) | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | Elective | 4 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST Elective (numbered 300 or above) | 6 | RELIG ST Elective (numbered 300 or above) | 9 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| I/A COMP SCI, MATH or STAT (if needed for BS) | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RELIG ST 600 | 3 | RELIG ST Electives | 6 |
| RELIG ST Elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | Elective | 9 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | ||
| Electives | 4 | ||
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Consult the Course Search & Enroll tool for a comprehensive list of RELIG ST courses designated for Literature Breadth.
Advising and Careers
Advising
Dr. Corrie Norman is the undergraduate advisor and Honors in the Major advisor. Contact her by email at cenorman@wisc.edu to meet with her. Students are encouraged to meet with Dr. Norman early in their academic careers in order to plan for successful completion and take advantage of opportunities such as Honors, special research, internship, service learning or study abroad opportunities in associate with the major or certificate.
Careers
Religious studies engages a variety of professional disciplines and provides important preparation for thinking, communicating, and functioning professionally in a complex, multi-dimensional world.
Religious studies sponsors workshops and other career exploration vehicles, often in collaboration with SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science, to aid students in articulating the value of religious studies for their career preparation. Student-developed capstone projects in religious studies often make specific connections to experiential learning and career preparation in a range of fields. Talk with Dr. Norman about possibilities for combining internships and other forms of preprofessional training with the major and certificate.
L&S Career Resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives
People
Professors
Bell, Bowie, Brenner, Bühnemann, Chamberlain, Cohen, Dale, DuBois, Dunne, Gade, Hansen, Hardin, Hildner, Howard, Hsia, Koshar, Langer, Livorni, Louden, Nadler, Ohnuki-Tierney, Phillips, Rosenblum, Schenck, Schweber, Stanford Friedman, Thompson, Wandel, Wink, Wolf, Zaeske
Associate Professors
Beneker, Cerulli, Hutton, Livanos, Ridgely, Shelef, Shoemaker, Thal, Todorovic
Assistant Professors
Chamedes, Hollander, Pruitt, Rock-Singer, Stern
Distinguished Faculty Associate
Brown
Faculty Associates
Mellor, Norman, Rosenhagen
Associate Faculty Associate
Whelan
Lecturer
Carlsson
Faculty Diversity Liaison
Program Director Rosenblum