About this Program
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Contact: Email
- More Info
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
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.
Coursework for the Major
The program consists of 10 courses (30 credits). These must include:
- REL 3931
- One course in three of the following four areas (9 credits)
- Asian Traditions
- Biblical Scripture, Judaism, and Christianity
- Islamic Traditions
- Religion and ethics in contemporary society
- REL 4933
- At least one other 4000 level class (3 credits)
Of the 30 total credits, no more than 9 can be at the 2000 level. In addition, the 10 courses (30 credits) for the undergraduate major in religion must be completed with minimum grades of C.
Required Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Religion | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Religion in Asia | ||
| Introduction to Buddhism | ||
| Chinese Religions | ||
| Religions of India | ||
| Religion in Modern India | ||
| Buddhist Meditation | ||
| Islam | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Islam | ||
| Islam in Africa | ||
| Women and Islam | ||
| The History of Islam in the Modern World | ||
| Islam in the Americas | ||
| Jewish or Christian Scripture | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Hebrew Scriptures | ||
| New Testament | ||
| Hebrew Bible as Literature | ||
| The Christian Gospels | ||
| Acts, Paul, and Early Christianity | ||
| Gender and the Hebrew Bible | ||
| The Pentateuch | ||
| Religion and Ethics in Contemporary Society | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Sustainability and Religion | ||
| Cults and New Religious Movements | ||
| Global Ethics | ||
| Spirituality and Health Care | ||
| Religion and Nature in North America | ||
| Religion and Food | ||
| Religion and Violence | ||
| Ethics in America | ||
| Religion Ethics and Nature | ||
| Ethics, Utopias and Dystopias | ||
| REL 3931 | Junior Seminar (during the junior year) | 3 |
| 4000-level courses, one of which must be the following: | 9 | |
| The Comparative Study of Religion | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
- Majors cannot count more than three introductory courses (2000-level, 9 credits) toward the 30 credits.
- 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.
- Every two semesters all majors must consult the undergraduate advisor.
There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses. Detailed descriptions of current and prospective courses are available in 107 Anderson Hall and from faculty members before registration.
Overseas Studies
The department encourages study abroad. Overseas Studies, 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 and diversity requirements 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.
More Info
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
- Completed 2 of the remaining REL 3XXX/4XXX required courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Completed 2 of the remaining REL 3XXX/4XXX required courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Completed all remaining REL 3XXX/4XXX required courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).
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.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| MGF 1106 | Mathematics for Liberal Arts Majors 1 (recommended; or other State Core Gen Ed Mathematics course) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Foreign language | 4-5 | |
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| One course in Asian religions, Jewish or Christian Scripture, Islam, or Religion and Ethics in Contemporary Society (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Foreign language | 3-5 | |
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| One course in Asian religions, Jewish or Christian Scripture, Islam, or Religion and Ethics in Contemporary Society (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area not taken in semester 2) 1 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| Elective or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| One course in Asian religions, Jewish or Christian Scripture, Islam, or Religion and Ethics in Contemporary Society (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Science laboratory (Gen Ed Physical or Biological Sciences) | 1 | |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| REL 3931 | Junior Seminar | 3 |
| Gen Ed Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| Religion elective (3000 level or above) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| Religion course (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above) | 3 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| REL 4933 | The Comparative Study of Religion (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 |
| Religion elective (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above) | 3 | |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| Religion course (Critical Tracking; 4000 level or above) | 3 | |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| 1 | One General Education option taken this term must be a Quest 2 course. |
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
- Identify, describe and explain religion as a significant and pervasive element in human culture.
Critical Thinking
- Read and analyze current literature on method and theory in a study of religion.
- Read and analyze current literature on comparative religion.
Communication
- 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