University Catalog 2024-2025

Religious Studies (Minor)

Students who take the minor program in Religious Studies are required to complete, with a grade of C or better, fifteen (15) hours of courses in selected fields of Religious Studies. In order to ensure a wide study of the field, students are required to select at least one course in each of the following categories: Historical Methods, Textual Methods, and Critical/Theoretical Methods. As part of these requirements, it is expected that at least one of these classes focus on Western religious traditions and at least one on non-Western traditions. Electives may be filled from any of these courses or from other Religious Studies course offerings. No courses for the minor may be taken for S/U credit.

Admissions and Certification of Minor

The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her degree program. Paperwork for certification should be completed no later than during the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State. To be admitted to the program, a student must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Application for admission to any University minor program is now available via MyPack Portal. Admission will be based upon the student’s academic record, and in most cases no longer requires departmental review. Go to the Add a Minor page to apply.

Contact Persons

Dr. Jason C. Bivins
Withers Hall 447
919.515.6102
jcbivins@ncsu.edu

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Withers Hall 340
919.515.6100
philos_relstuds@ncsu.edu

SIS Code:  16RSM

Plan Requirements

  • 15 hours (5 courses) of course work is required to complete the minor in Religious Studies.
  • Students are required to select at least 1 course in Western Religious Traditions and at least 1 course in non-Western religious traditions.
  • A minimum grade of ‘C-‘ is needed in all courses taken toward the minor.
  • A maximum of TWO (2) courses may double-count between major departmental requirements and courses counting toward the minor.
  • A maximum of TWO (2) courses may double-count between courses counting toward this minor and additional minors.

Required Courses

The department will determine whether courses which have been transferred from other institutions qualify for the minor. No more than two courses from other institutions may count toward the minor. Students must select at least one course in each of the following categories: Textual Methods, Historical Methods and Critical/Theoretical methods.

Historical Methods Courses

REL 230Asian Religions3
REL 317Christianity3
REL/HI 320Religion in American History3
REL 331The Hindu Tradition3
REL 332The Buddhist Traditions3
REL 333Chinese Religions3
REL 334Japanese Religions3
REL 340Islam3
REL 350Judaism3
REL/HI 402Early Christianity to the Time of Eusebius3
REL/HI 407Islamic History to 17983
REL/HI 408Islam in the Modern World3

Textual Methods Courses

REL 311Introduction to the Old Testament3
REL 312Introduction to the New Testament3
REL 314Introduction to Intertestamental Literature3
REL 412Advanced Readings in the Christian Gospels3
REL 413The Life and Letters of the Apostle Paul3

Critical/Theoretical Methods Courses

REL 200Introduction to the Study of Religion3
REL 220Religion in the Contemporary World3
REL/SOC 309Religion and Society3
REL 323Religious Cults, Sects, and Minority Faiths in America3
REL 327Issues in Contemporary Religion3
REL 383Religion, Globalism, and Justice3
REL 423Religion and Politics in America3
REL 424Religion and Politics in Global Perspective3
REL/STS 471Darwinism and Christianity3
REL/WGS 472Women and Religion3
REL 473Religion, Gender, and Reproductive Technologies3
REL 482Religion and Conflict3
REL 489Interpretations of Religion3

Western Traditions

REL 311Introduction to the Old Testament3
REL 312Introduction to the New Testament3
REL 314Introduction to Intertestamental Literature3
REL 317Christianity3
REL/HI 320Religion in American History3
REL 323Religious Cults, Sects, and Minority Faiths in America3
REL 350Judaism3
REL/HI 402Early Christianity to the Time of Eusebius3
REL 412Advanced Readings in the Christian Gospels3
REL 413The Life and Letters of the Apostle Paul3
REL 423Religion and Politics in America3

Non-Western Traditions

REL 230Asian Religions3
REL 331The Hindu Tradition3
REL 332The Buddhist Traditions3
REL 333Chinese Religions3
REL 334Japanese Religions3
REL 340Islam3
REL/HI 407Islamic History to 17983
REL/HI 408Islam in the Modern World3