The department offers four categories of courses through which students organize their curriculum of studies. Please note that some courses fit more than one category; check the "additional requirements and/or comments" section of the WesMaps listing for a course's official designation(s). None of our courses have prerequisites.
- RELI151. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the academic study of religion. It is not designed to survey the religions of the world or present an overview of global religious diversity. Rather, it uses a series of empirical case studies to explore methodological and theoretical issues in the study of religion by examining (1) the various intellectual tools used in religious studies; (2) the social, political, economic, and cultural context of those tools; and (3) the debates arising from their use.
- Historical Traditions courses. Many courses in the department deal with the historical content of major religious traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, as well as secular, shamanic, Afro-Caribbean, and classical and modern Chinese traditions. These courses examine the texts, histories, institutions, and rituals of these religions. In this category there are both survey courses (generally numbered at the 200-level) and seminars (generally numbered at the 300-level). In general, courses that are not thematic approach or method and theory courses are considered historical traditions courses.
- Thematic Approach courses. Thematic approach courses examine specific problems, questions, or themes that intersect with the study of religion. These include gender, race, politics, sex, law, science, and colonialism. Thematic approach courses may focus on one religious tradition or draw comparatively between traditions, but all are intended to provide tools for exploring and analyzing historical and contemporary phenomena.
- Method and Theory courses. These courses review and critically analyze methods, theories, and strategies employed by scholars of religion. Method and theory courses include the department's RELI398, which is required of all majors and to be taken in the junior year. The task of this course is to reflect upon the theoretical and methodological pluralism in the field of religious studies with the opportunity to apply these theories and methods to specific texts, concrete issues, or other cultural formations.
All majors are required to take RELI151. This introductory course is taught every semester. Majors are required to take it before the end of their junior year. It is strongly encouraged that students take RELI151 in their first two years at Wesleyan.