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College of Arts & Sciences

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.

 

More Department information

 

Religious Studies, B.A.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see .

A minimum of 32 credit hours, including:

Religion Courses

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • 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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • 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).

    Schedule Of Classes

  • 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.

    Schedule Of Classes

Electives

Minimum of ten credit hours of RELG electives (PHIL 360 and ANTH 345 count towards this requirement). Maximum of two credit hours towards the ten credit hours of required electives can be earned through internship or independent study (in addition to RELG 498).

Capstone

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Religious Studies Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum of 20 credit hours, including:

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • 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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • 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).

    Schedule Of Classes

  • 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.

    Schedule Of Classes

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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