Concentration in religious studies involves course work in RELS 1000 (junior seminar in methods in the study of religion) and eight other courses conforming to the following requirements.
Each student in consultation with appropriate faculty members devises a concentration program, which may include courses given outside the department. The student presents for approval by the concentration advisor a written statement of the objectives of his or her concentration program and a list of the component courses. The program is expected to encompass the study of at least one religious tradition from each of the following groups. Ordinarily, this requirement is satisfied by two or more courses in each of these areas:
No later than the end of spring registration in the junior year, the concentrator will designate a suitable departmental course (or senior thesis) as the capstone course for his or her concentration; this course will be selected in consultation with the concentration advisor and other faculty as appropriate. Within the frame of this capstone course, the concentrator will address in an appropriate way the theoretical and interpretive issues of the concentration focus.
A Religious Studies concentration with Honors requires, in addition to RELS 1000 and eight other courses, an Honors thesis (RELS 1999, during both semesters of the senior year). To receive Honors, a student must have at least a high B in the concentration and an A on the thesis. In some fields, a knowledge of appropriate classical languages is also essential for advanced work. Students should start work in these languages as early as possible. Students who study abroad, or who petition to include non-crosslisted Brown courses in their concentration, must complete at least five courses in Religious Studies.
Page last updated in February, 2009.