Religious Studies
Why pursue a religious studies degree at North Central College?
An undergraduate degree in religious studies is, for many, a calling and a career path. Students who major in religious studies become experts in the history and practice of many religions. In a religious studies major, you’ll learn to engage with sacred texts and sources with a critical eye, communicating ideas and arguments with sensitivity. Some students who study religion will choose careers in ministry such as a missionary, chaplain or youth director, while others will choose roles like a teacher, lawyer or non-profit employee. At North Central College, you’ll work closely with faculty to explore some of life’s most challenging questions in topics such as philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, ethics and ministry. As an expert at evaluating, reasoning and navigating through complex issues, religious studies majors add value to a wide range of environments.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
- Providing religious services and spiritual guidance to individuals or groups
- Understanding faith from numerous religious perspectives including Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam
- Examining religious traditions and histories
then a degree in RELIGIOUS STUDIES might be for you.
Why study religious studies at North Central College?
In the Classroom
Coursework topics:
- Christian Ethics and Spirituality
- Cross, Violence and Resistance
- Death and Dying
- Hollywood, Values and Religion
- Islam
- Judaism
- Nature and Well Being
- Religion and Political Order
- Religious Harmony in China
- Religious Pluralism in Japan
- Sexuality and Christianity
- Spiritual Liberation in India
- The Bible
- The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time
- Topics in Religious Ethics
- Women and the Bible
- World Religions
Beyond the Classroom
As a religious studies major, you can:
- Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
- Experience different religious practices through our Contemplative Series and campus ministry offerings.
- Get involved with The Union, a social venue that incorporates music, art, film and spirituality.
- Begin graduate-level coursework at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, with up to 15 hours of elective credit put towards your degree.
- Attend Focus, a weekly interdenominational worship and fellowship group.
Religious Studies, B.A.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see .
A minimum of 32 credit hours, including:
Religion Courses
-
RELG 100 - Introduction to World Religions
RELG 100 - Introduction to World Religions
4.00 credit hours
A phenomenological study of the major religions of the world. Special emphasis is given to the beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, and ethical dimensions of each religion.
One course from each of the following areas:
Biblical Studies
-
RELG 110 - Introduction to the Bible
RELG 110 - Introduction to the Bible
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the academic study of the Bible, including the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Students will explore these texts as complex literary and theological documents created under the influence of multiple historical and cultural contexts.
Theology
-
RELG 330 - Cross, Violence and Resistance
RELG 330 - Cross, Violence and Resistance
4.00 credit hours
An examination of theological interpretations of the life and death of Jesus. Attention is given to how the violent death of Jesus at the core of Christian theology influences the way societies perceive and respond to violence.
Ethics
-
RELG 390 - Topics in Religious Ethics
RELG 390 - Topics in Religious Ethics
4.00 credit hours
An examination of a current topic, theme, or approach within Religious Ethics. Encompasses both theory and applications to personal and communal life.
-
RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order
RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order
4.00 credit hours
An examination of primary texts from the history of religious political philosophy with an eye to their relevance for understanding current events and challenges at the intersection of religion and politics. Emphasis is on Jewish, Christian and Muslim sources.
Asian Traditions
-
RELG 255 - Spiritual Liberation in India
RELG 255 - Spiritual Liberation in India
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of spiritual liberation in the religions of India with a particular focus on overcoming the problems of karma, suffering, and rebirth in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
-
RELG 260 - Religious Harmony in China
RELG 260 - Religious Harmony in China
4.00 credit hours
A survey of the major religions of China with a particular focus on self-cultivation as the key to establishing social harmony (Confucianism), living in harmony with the forces of nature (Daoism), and harmonizing with the totality of space and time (Buddhism).
-
RELG 265 - Religious Pluralism in Japan
RELG 265 - Religious Pluralism in Japan
4.00 credit hours
An examination of the major religious traditions of Japan (Shinto, Buddhism and the so-called "New Religions") with a particular focus on the harmonious co-existence of diverse religious beliefs and practices from ancient times to the contemporary period.
Electives
Minimum of ten credit hours of RELG electives (
Capstone
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the
Religious Studies Minor
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.
A minimum of 20 credit hours, including:
-
RELG 100 - Introduction to World Religions
RELG 100 - Introduction to World Religions
4.00 credit hours
A phenomenological study of the major religions of the world. Special emphasis is given to the beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, and ethical dimensions of each religion.
Biblical Studies
-
RELG 110 - Introduction to the Bible
RELG 110 - Introduction to the Bible
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the academic study of the Bible, including the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Students will explore these texts as complex literary and theological documents created under the influence of multiple historical and cultural contexts.
Theology and Philosophy of Religion
-
RELG 330 - Cross, Violence and Resistance
RELG 330 - Cross, Violence and Resistance
4.00 credit hours
An examination of theological interpretations of the life and death of Jesus. Attention is given to how the violent death of Jesus at the core of Christian theology influences the way societies perceive and respond to violence.
Ethics
One of the following:
-
RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order
RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order
4.00 credit hours
An examination of primary texts from the history of religious political philosophy with an eye to their relevance for understanding current events and challenges at the intersection of religion and politics. Emphasis is on Jewish, Christian and Muslim sources.
-
RELG 390 - Topics in Religious Ethics
RELG 390 - Topics in Religious Ethics
4.00 credit hours
An examination of a current topic, theme, or approach within Religious Ethics. Encompasses both theory and applications to personal and communal life.
Asian Traditions
One of the following:
-
RELG 255 - Spiritual Liberation in India
RELG 255 - Spiritual Liberation in India
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of spiritual liberation in the religions of India with a particular focus on overcoming the problems of karma, suffering, and rebirth in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
-
RELG 260 - Religious Harmony in China
RELG 260 - Religious Harmony in China
4.00 credit hours
A survey of the major religions of China with a particular focus on self-cultivation as the key to establishing social harmony (Confucianism), living in harmony with the forces of nature (Daoism), and harmonizing with the totality of space and time (Buddhism).
-
RELG 265 - Religious Pluralism in Japan
RELG 265 - Religious Pluralism in Japan
4.00 credit hours
An examination of the major religious traditions of Japan (Shinto, Buddhism and the so-called "New Religions") with a particular focus on the harmonious co-existence of diverse religious beliefs and practices from ancient times to the contemporary period.
Religious Studies Internships and Jobs
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. By gaining your religious studies degree, you will foster a deeper understanding of other cultures and their religious traditions. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Internships
- Assistant program director, Mountain Tennessee Outreach Project, Coalmont, TN
- Intern, Junior/Senior Scholars, Naperville
- Intern, Humanitarian Service Project, Carol Stream, IL
Graduate School
Recent graduates in religious studies have been accepted at:
- Princeton Theological Seminary
- Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Chicago Theological Seminary
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Illinois State University
Careers
Recent graduates in religious studies include:
- Executive Director, Center for Faith and Human Rights
- Professor of Law, DePaul University
- Associate Porfessor, Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Senior Manager, Disney Corporation
- CEO, Tri-State Media Ministry
- Acute Care Social Worker, Middleton VA Medical Center
- Chaplain, Springfield Memorial Center
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