Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

The program for religious studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences meets the needs of West Virginia University students by offering instruction in the history and practice of many world religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Near Eastern traditions. In addition, the program offers opportunities to explore many other interesting areas of study including Hebrew and Christian scriptures, ethics, and current topics of interest. The program for religious studies also seeks to address issues of interest within the WVU community by providing activities such as guest lectures and panel forums for students and the public. In the program, students have the unique opportunity to study religious issues from a scholarly perspective. Hence, religion courses at West Virginia University are intended to stimulate interest in the academic discipline of religious studies, which involves studying world faiths objectively, without an agenda. Instructors utilize various methodologies that allow students to immerse themselves in, and learn about, many different traditions. Some of these methodologies include studying ancient texts, examining the history and traditions of various world cultures, the use of resource texts from reputable scholars, and the analysis of archaeological data. The degree in religious studies offers a general liberal arts education for students entering such professions as law, medicine, and business, if electives are chosen carefully. This major is useful to anyone seeking a professional career in religion, such as the ministry, teaching, graduate study of theology, biblical studies, and religious journalism. Major Learning Goals Identify and differentiate among the core principles and theories of at least three major world religions. Research and critique, utilizing academic methods of inquiry, sacred texts from at least two major world religions. Demonstrate satisfactory research and writing skills, coherent thought, and ability to articulate with clarity concepts related to the study of world religions. Demonstrate a general knowledge of religious ethics and theology. Demonstrate the use of critical methods in the analysis of religious texts. Summarize and compare the histories and cultural settings of at least three major world religions. Careers Business Education History Law Literature Media Medicine Seminary