The Department of Classical and Religious Studies offers two majors and five minors:
Majors
Classical and Mediterranean Studies Major
The major in classical and Mediterranean studies includes courses in the language, art and archaeology, history, religion, philosophy, society, and culture of the Greek and Roman world and its broader Mediterranean context.
Major Requirements
Students majoring in classical and Mediterranean studies must take 10 courses, including one foundation course (30 credit hours total). Students select from one of two tracks or an honors track. Students should notify the director of undergraduate studies which track they are pursuing at the time the major is declared. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Latin exam earns 3 hours of credit for Latin 2202, which may be applied toward either of the major tracks. Any course for which a student has earned credit will count for one of the requirements or sub-requirements for any of the major tracks or minors. All relevant CORE 2500 courses will count toward major and minor programs as appropriate.
Religious Studies Major
Most of the world’s population identifies as being religious. Religion continues to be a vital factor in the world today, in politics, economics, and ethical life, as well as in conflicts between and amongst religious groups. The major in religious studies introduces students to the rich diversity of religious traditions of the world and builds depth of study in areas of specific interest to the student. Majors are trained in a variety of approaches to religion, including textual and historical study, and anthropological analysis.
Major Requirements
Students must take 10 courses, including two foundation courses (30 credit hours total). Students select from one of two tracks or an honors track. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours at the 2000 level and 6 credit hours at the 3000 level. All relevant CORE 2500 courses will count toward major and minor programs as appropriate.
Minors
Arabic Language Minor
15 total credit hours including:
- ARA 1101, ARA 1102, ARA 2201, and ARA 2202 (12 credit hours)
- One course from among the following: ARA 3210, ARA 3211, ARA 3310, ARA 3401, ARA 3402, RLST 4593 (3 credit hours)
Islamic Studies Minor
18-22 total credit hours including:
- ARA 1102 or PERS 1102 (3 credit hours), or HNUR 2202 (4 credit hours)
- RLST 1500 or HIST 1190 (3 credit hours)
- RLST 4554
- Three elective courses from the Islamic studies electives list (9-12 credit hours)
Up to 6 hours of Arabic language courses may count toward the minor. ARA 1101 does not count toward the minor.
Mediterranean Archaeology Minor
18 total credit hours including:
- Two foundation courses: CLAS 1010 and CLAS 1020 (6 credit hours)
- Two courses from course lists B-D on the approved list of courses in classical and Mediterranean studies (6 credit hours)
- Two courses from course list E on the approved list of courses in classical and Mediterranean studies (6 credit hours)
At least three courses must be numbered 2060 or above.
Mediterranean Studies Minor
18 total credit hours including:
- One foundation course: CLAS 1010, CLAS 1120, or CLAS 1150 (3 credit hours)
- Five courses from course lists A-D on the approved list of courses in classical and Mediterranean studies (15 credit hours)
At least three courses must be numbered 2060 or above.
Religious Studies Minor
18 total credit hours including:
Traditions (9 credit hours):
- RLST 1010 (3 credit hours)
- Two courses from Traditions skill set list on the approved list of courses in religious studies (6 credit hours)
Themes, Theory, and Research (9 credit hours)
- RLST 2012 (3 credit hours)
- Two courses from Themes, Theory, and Research skill set lists on the approved list of courses in religious studies (6 credit hours)
Courses
To view a full listing of courses and descriptions, see the Undergraduate Course Catalog. For full descriptions of topics courses being offered each semester, please see YES.
Listings of courses offered specifically by the Department of Classical and Religious Studies:
Approved Lists of Courses
Honors
Honors in Classical and Mediterranean Studies
Candidates should signal their interest to the director of undergraduate studies by the beginning of the second semester of the junior year.
Admission requirements are:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.3, and a GPA of 3.5 in courses that count toward the major.
- Approval by the faculty of a 3-4 page thesis proposal, due by the middle of the second semester of the junior year.
In addition to maintaining the stated GPA throughout the senior year, Honors students must complete CLAS 4998 (3 credit hours) and CLAS 4999 (3 credit hours), each in addition to the 30 credit hours required by the major, culminating in a written thesis that is defended orally. A committee of three faculty members (two of whom must hold sole or joint appointments in the Department in Classical and Religious Studies) will evaluate the thesis and the oral defense.
Honors in Religious Studies
Candidates should signal their interest to the coordinator of religious studies by the beginning of the second semester of the junior year.
Admission requirements are:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.3, and a GPA of 3.5 in courses that count toward the major.
- Approval by the faculty of a 3-4 page thesis proposal, due by the middle of the second semester of the junior year.
In addition to maintaining the stated GPA throughout the senior year, Honors students must complete RLST 4998 (3 credit hours) and RLST 4999 (3 credit hours), each in addition to the 30 credit hours required by the major, culminating in a written thesis that is defended orally. A committee of three faculty members (two of whom must hold sole or joint appointments in the Department in Classical and Religious Studies) will evaluate the thesis and the oral defense.
Declaring a Major or Minor
- Visit the University Registrar’s website.
- Click on “Major/Minor Declaration/Change.”
- Sign in and follow the prompts to select your major(s)/minor(s).
- Once you have completed all of the required documentation, click submit.
If you have any questions about tracks or requirements, or if you have a particular adviser in mind, please reach out to the director of undergraduate studies. Otherwise, an adviser will be assigned to you.