Religion

major

Events at home and abroad show that religion continues to be a powerful force, with both positive and negative consequences. An undergraduate major in Religion provides students with the basic tools to understand the diversity of religious phenomena throughout the world in their proper historical, socio-political, psychological, cultural, and philosophical contexts.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information


Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.1625 (tel) | 352.392.7395 (fax)

P.O. Box 117410
107 ANDERSON HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7410
Map

 Curriculum

Students majoring in religion receive truly interdisciplinary training and many pursue advanced degrees in the humanities, social sciences, law, education, journalism, and social services. Religion majors have also gone on to work in non-governmental organizations, private companies, and religious communities. The religion program complements many other programs at the University of Florida, including Latin American studies, sustainability studies, Jewish studies, African studies, and Asian studies.

requirements for the Major

The Religion major consists of 10 courses totaling 30 credits. Two courses are mandatory: REL 3931 Method and Theory (junior seminar) and REL 4933 (senior seminar). The remaining 8 classes are electives. No more than three of the electives can be 2000-level courses or below. At least one elective must be 4000-level.

The 10 courses (30 credits) for the undergraduate major in religion must be completed with minimum grades of C (2.0 GPA). These courses must be taken from the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels of the religion curriculum.

Six courses (18 credits) must be taken at UF. 

Required major Coursework

REL 3931Junior Seminar3
REL 4933The Comparative Study of Religion (senior seminar)3
Electives 124
Religion Major Electives
2000-level or higher Religion courses9
3000-level or higher Religion courses12
4000-level Religion course 3
Total Credits51
1

8 electives total. Maximum of three 2000-level or below will be counted toward the major. At least one elective must be 4000-level.

  • Maximum of three introductory courses (2000-level, 9 credits) can count toward the 30 credits for the major.
  • No more than three courses (9 credits) can be in approved cognate courses from other departments.
  • No more than four courses (12 credits) can be transferred from another institution.

There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses. Detailed descriptions of current and prospective courses, along with past syllabi, are available online, in the Religion Department Office in 107 Anderson Hall, and from faculty members before registration.
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Overseas Studies

The department encourages study abroad. Study Abroad, within the UF International Center (UFIC), offers the opportunity to study in a wide range of academic and cultural settings. The office coordinates 32 semester and yearlong programs and 28 summer programs in 24 countries. Study abroad programs satisfy the General Education International requirement and also may fulfill requirements for a major or minor, as well as basic distribution area requirements and UF Summer residency. Interested students should contact the UF International Center in 170 Hub or the undergraduate coordinator.
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Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 religion course
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional religion course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete 1 additional religion course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Complete REL 3931 (junior seminar)
  • Complete 2 of the remaining REL 3XXX/4XXX required courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

  • Complete REL 4933 (senior seminar)
  • Complete 2 of the remaining REL 3XXX/4XXX required courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • Complete all remaining REL 3XXX/4XXX required courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing, Civic Literacy, summer enrollment, and Quest requirements while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S) as part of the CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows students additional flexibility in its Distribution Requirements. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits TOTAL from the CLAS Distribution course lists towards Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Biological and Physical Sciences, with no more than 3 credits of Humanities, 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Sciences, or 6 credits of Biological or Physical Sciences.

The full list of major-specific requirements for this major can be found on the Overview tab. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree requirements can be found on the College’s degree requirements page.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics course 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 4-5
 Credits13-14
Semester Two
One Religion course (Critical Tracking) 3
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 3-5
 Credits15-17
Semester Three
One Religion course (Critical Tracking) 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences area not taken in semester 2 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Elective (or CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 option) 1 3
 Credits15
Semester Four
Quest 2 3
One Religion course (Critical Tracking) 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Natural Science Laboratory 2 1
 Credits16
Semester Five
Religion electives (3000 level or above) 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Electives 7
 Credits16
Semester Six
REL 3931 Junior Seminar 3
Religion courses (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above) 6
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Electives 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
REL 4933 The Comparative Study of Religion (Critical Tracking) 3
Religion elective (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above) 3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
 Credits15
Semester Eight
Religion course (Critical Tracking; 4000 level or above) 3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

2

Degree Requirements

The major in Religion examines religion as a significant and pervasive element in human culture. Through study of a variety of religious traditions, students learn about the history, beliefs and practices of the world's religions. Emphasis on method and theory and religion's comparative dimensions enables students to read and analyze current literature. Students will be able to locate and use reference tools and demonstrate the ability to communicate independent, critical perspectives.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Achieve satisfactory evaluation of assignment from REL 3931.
  • Achieve satisfactory evaluation of assignment from REL 4933.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify, describe, and explain religion as a significant and pervasive element in human culture.

Critical Thinking

  1. Read and analyze current literature on method and theory in a study of religion.
  2. Read and analyze current literature on comparative religion.

Communication

  1. Effectively communicate in speech and in writing and disseminate the results of research in a coherent and organized manner.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
Asian Religions
REL 2317, REL 2341, REL 3330 or REL 3336 I, R I, R
Islamic Religions
REL 2362, REL 3317, REL 3366 or REL 3367 I, R I, R
Jewish or Christian Scripture
REL 2210, REL 2240, REL 3249 or REL 3252 I, R I, R
REL 3931 A I, R, A I, R, A
REL 4933 A A I, R, A

Assessment Types

  • Papers
  • Additional assessment include the department's senior survey