Students majoring in religion receive truly interdisciplinary training and many pursue advanced degrees in the humanities, social sciences, law, education, journalism, and social services. Religion majors have also gone on to work in non-governmental organizations, private companies, and religious communities. The religion program complements many other programs at the University of Florida, including Latin American studies, sustainability studies, Jewish studies, African studies, and Asian studies.
Coursework for the Major
The program consists of 10 courses, which include at least one class in three of the following four areas: Asian religions; Islam; and Jewish or Christian scripture; and religion and ethics in contemporary society. In addition, all majors must complete a junior seminar on methods and theories in the study of religion and a comparative East-West capstone seminar.
The 10 courses (30 credits) for the undergraduate major in religion must be completed with minimum grades of C. These courses must be taken from the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels of the religion curriculum and they must expose the student to both eastern and western thought.
Required Coursework
Select at least one course from three of four groups
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Religion | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
REL 2315 | Religion in Asia | |
REL 2341 | Introduction to Buddhism | |
REL 3318 | Chinese Religions | |
REL 3330 | Religions of India | |
REL 3336 | Religion in Modern India | |
REL 4349 | Buddhist Meditation | |
| Islam | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
REL 2362 | Introduction to Islam | |
REL 4371 | Islam in Africa | |
REL 4367 | The History of Islam in the Modern World | |
REL 4393 | Islam in the Americas | |
| Jewish or Christian Scripture | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
REL 2210 | Hebrew Scriptures | |
REL 2240 | New Testament | |
REL 3213 | Hebrew Bible as Literature | |
REL 3249 | The Christian Gospels | |
REL 3252 | Acts, Paul, and Early Christianity | |
REL 3291 | Gender and the Hebrew Bible | |
REL 4221 | The Pentateuch | |
| Religion and Ethics in Contemporary Society | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
REL 2071 | Sustainability and Religion | |
REL 3076 | Cults and New Religious Movements | |
REL 3082 | Global Ethics | |
REL 3099 | Spirituality and Health Care | |
REL 3108 | Religion and Food | |
REL 3148 | Religion and Violence | |
REL 3171 | Ethics in America | |
REL 3492 | Religion Ethics and Nature | |
REL 4092 | Ethics, Utopias and Dystopias | |
| REL 3931 | Junior Seminar (during the junior year) | 3 |
| 4000-level courses, one of which must be the following: | 6 | |
REL 4933 | The Comparative Study of Religion | |
| Additional Religion courses | 12 | |
| Total credits | 30 |
- Majors cannot count more than three introductory courses (2000-level, 9 credits) toward the 30 credits.
- No more than three courses (9 credits) can be in approved cognate courses from other departments.
- No more than four courses (12 credits) can be transferred from another institution.
- Every two semesters all majors must consult the undergraduate advisor.
There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses. Detailed descriptions of current and prospective courses are available in 107 Anderson Hall and from faculty members before registration.
Overseas Studies
The department encourages study abroad. Overseas Studies, within the UF International Center (UFIC), offers the opportunity to study in a wide range of academic and cultural settings. The office coordinates 32 semester and yearlong programs and 28 summer programs in 24 countries. Study abroad programs satisfy the general education international and diversity requirements and also may fulfill requirements for a major or minor, as well as basic distribution area requirements and UF summer residency. Interested students should contact the UF International Center in 170 Hub or the undergraduate coordinator.
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