Religious Studies Four-Year Academic Plan
120 credit hours are required for Bachelor of Arts degree. The major in religious studies consists of a minimum of 31 credit hours, with a choice of two tracks:
- Theological Study for students seeking careers in theology and ministry and
- Religion, Politics and Civil Society for those who plan to work in activism, inter-faith and social justice leadership
Detailed information about Religious Studies can be found in the academic catalog. Students should use Academic Planning on the mySXU portal to schedule courses and track degree progress.
Suggested four year academic plan for the major (courses required in the major are in bold)
Please consult with your academic advisor prior to course selection.
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours |
| TRANS 100: Transitions | 1 |
| PHIL 140: The Examined Life | 3 |
| ENGL 120: Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| GE MATH | 3 |
| FYS 175: First Year Seminar | 3 |
| GE History | 3 |
| Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| COMM 101: Speech Fundamentals | 3 |
| RELST 263: Christian Theology: Christ | 3 |
| GE Biological Science with lab* | 3 |
| GE Fine Arts or Literature | 3 |
| Humanities elective not in Religious Studies | 3 |
| Semester 3 | Credit Hours |
| Choose Track 1 or Track 2 | |
| Track 1: RELST 220: Old Testament or Track 2: RELST 242: The Buddhist Tradition or RELST 247: The Jewish Tradition or RELST 249: The Islamic Tradition |
3 |
| GE Physical Science with lab* | 3 |
| GE Social Science | 3 |
| GE History or Social Science | 3 |
| RELST (200 level) elective in major | 3 |
| Semester 4 | Credit Hours |
| Choose Track 1 or Track 2 | |
| Track 1: RELST 221: Bible II - New Testament Christianity or Track 2: RELST 211: Introducing Mercy Critical Concerns or RELST 240: The Religious Other or RELST 254: Catholic Social Teaching or RELST 255: Religion in the Media |
3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Humanities elective not in Religious Studies | 3 |
| RELST (200 level) elective in major | 3 |
| Semester 5 | Credit Hours |
| RELST 300: Religious Studies Internship | 3 |
| Choose Track 1 or Track 2 | |
| Track 1: RELST 264: Christian Theology: The Human Person or RELST 266: Suffering and Death or RELST 268: Church and Sacraments or RELST 269: Theologies of Oppression and Empowerment or Track 2: RELST 242: The Buddhist Tradition or RELST 247: The Jewish Tradition or RELST 249: The Islamic Tradition |
3 |
| GE Diversity Studies | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Semester 6 | Credit Hours |
| RELST 363: Theologians and Movements | 3 |
| Choose Track 1 or Track 2 | |
| Track 1: RELST 264: Christian Theology: The Human Person or RELST 266: Suffering and Death or RELST 268: Church and Sacraments or RELST 269: Theologies of Oppression and Empowerment or Track 2: RELST 211: Introducing Mercy Critical Concerns or RELST 240: The Religious Other or RELST 254: Catholic Social Teaching or RELST 255: Religion in the Media |
3 |
| GE Global Studies | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Semester 7 | Credit Hours |
| Choose Track 1 or Track 2 | |
| Track 1: RELST 360: Theology Seminar or Track 2: RELST 361: Religion and Society Seminar |
3 |
| RELST (300 level) elective in major | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Semester 8 | Credit Hours |
| RELST 390: Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Track 2: Professional Skills | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 1 |
*One of the natural science courses must have a lab component.
Religious Studies Minor
Students must complete 18 credit hours, 6 of which may be fulfilled by the general education requirement in religious studies. Minors may fulfill the requirements by successfully completing any four or more additional courses from those offered by the department, including one seminar, chosen in consultation with an advisor.