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Undergraduate Concentration in Religious Studies

Nancy Khalek, Director of Undergraduate Studies

Office hours: Mondays 1 pm - 3 pm

Janine Sawada, Undergraduate Advisor for Seniors (Fall '09 semester).

Office hours: Tuesday 11:30 - 1:00 pm, Thursday 1:00 - 1:30 pm

Thomas A. Lewis, Undergradtate Advisor for Seniors (Spring '10 semester).

Office hours: Wednesday 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Concentration in Religious Studies includes course work in Religious Studies 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 up to three 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:

  1. Traditions that emerge from West Asia and the Mediterranean World
  2. Traditions that emerge from South and East Asia

The plan of study must take account of more than one approach to the study of religion, e.g., philosophical and historical; contain at least two Intermediate-level courses (0200-0999), RELS 1000, and two additional advanced-level courses (above 1000).   This means that no more than four courses (out of nine) can be at the introductory level.

No later than the end of spring registration in the junior year, the concentrator will determine if they wish to write an honors thesis or choose a capstone course for his or her concentration. A Capstone 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 the theoretical and interpretive issues of his or her particular focus in the Religious Studies concentration.

Honors

A Religious Studies concentration with Honors requires, in addition to RS 1000 and eight other courses, an Honors thesis (Religious Studies 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.   Students who study abroad, or who petition to include Brown courses not cross-listed with Religious Studies must still complete at least five courses in Religious Studies.