The Religious Studies program at YSU represents diverse historical and methodological perspectives.  While committed to presenting the religions of the world to our students, as a faculty we are strongly oriented to the intellectual and social challenges of contemporary culture.

A major in religious studies is available for students who desire to prepare for a career in the ministry, counseling, religious education, social work, or any field requiring a liberal arts background. Course offerings in religious studies cover a wide range of topics in religion and emphasize a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of religious phenomena and the comparative study of religions. Programs and resources also include the Pluralism Project and the Center for Islamic Studies.

The major in Religious Studies consists in 30 semester hours, as follows:

The following required courses:
2601: Introduction to World Religions
At least ONE course in History and Culture of Religion, from among: 3708, 3710, 3720, 3722, 3724, 3726, 3741, 3743
At least ONE course in Methodologies in the Study of Religion, from among:
3751, 3754, 3756, 3758, PHIL 3712, ANTHRO 4815
At least ONE course in Scriptural Studies, from among: 3731, 3732
4850: Seminar in Religious Studies
4871: Senior Capstone Project

The area "History and Culture of Religion" includes the following courses:
3708: African-American Religion
3710: African and Neo-African Religion
3720: Islam
3722: Christianity
3724: Judaism
3726: Buddhism
3741: Islamic Mysticism and Philosophy
3743: Ethics and Politics in Islam

The area "Methodologies in the Study of Religion" includes the following courses:
3751: Liberation Theologies and Revolutionary Change
3754: Feminism, Ecology and Religion
3756: Psychology of Religion
3758: Transpersonal Studies
PHIL 3712: Philosophy of Religion
ANTHRO 4815: Anthropology of Religion

The area "Scriptural Studies" includes the following courses:
3731: Hebrew Scriptures
3732: Jesus and the Gospels

The remaining hours for the major are selected in religious studies in consultation with a departmental
advisor, from those above not taken or from the following additional courses:
2605: Myth, Symbol and Ritual
2617: Introduction to Eastern Religions
2621: Religion and Moral Issues
2631: Religion and the Earth
3743: Ethics and Politics in Islam
4860: On-Site Studies in Religion (variable credit)

In some cases courses in philosophy or another related field may be substituted.
NOTE: A MAXIMUM OF 9 SEMESTER HOURS MAY BE TAKEN AT THE 2600-LEVEL.

In addition, religious studies majors fulfill requirements in English, health sciences, social studies, science, mathematics, foreign languages, and human performance and exercise science.

Individualized Curriculum Program:

Students seeking more specialization in a learning program may investigate and apply for the Individualized Curriculum Program.

This program enables interested students to design the course of study best suited to their particular background and career goals and thereby to create alternative pathways to currently offered degrees.