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Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Religious Studies

Major in Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts in History)

Students on Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 requirements HISTBA_M04

The major in Religious Studies offers students an opportunity to explore and understand the religious traditions of the world, as well as to study expressions of religious life and thought that may not fall within traditional patterns. The program teaches a variety of approaches to the academic study of religion and religion's intersections with other aspects of human society and culture. Students majoring in Religious Studies will not only be better equipped to understand people of different backgrounds, but will also learn about themselves: how their ideas and values were formed, how they differ from others, and the significance of these differences. The skills, knowledge, and attributes gained in the study of religion remain relevant throughout one's professional and private life.

Requirements

The major requires at least 30 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Introduction to Religion. One (1) course:
    • REL-R 133 Introduction to Religion
  2. Majors Seminar. One (1) course:
    • REL-R 389 Majors Seminar in Religion
  3. Electives.
    1. Advanced Electives. At least 15 additional credit hours:
      • Any REL-A 300–399
      • Any REL-A 400–499
      • Any REL-B 300–399
      • Any REL-B 400–499
      • Any REL-C 300–399
      • Any REL-C 400–499
      • Any REL-D 300–399
      • Any REL-D 400–499
      • Any REL-R 300–399
      • Any REL-R 400–499
      • Any REL-X 300–399
      • Any REL-X 400–499
    2. Free Electives. Additional credit hours as needed to complete remaining requirements:
      • Any REL-A 100–499
      • Any REL-B 100–499
      • Any REL-C 100–499
      • Any REL-D 100–499
      • Any REL-R 100–499
      • Any REL-X 100–499
  4. Major Hours and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
    2. Major Upper Division Courses. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300-499 level.
    3. Minimum Grade. A grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.

Major Area Courses

  • Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

    • Any course at the 100–499 level with the REL subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
    • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
    • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
  • NULL:

    This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

    • Interdepartmental Major in African American and African Diaspora Studies and Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts) [INTRBA_M04]
    • Interdepartmental Major in Philosophy and Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts) [PHILRELBA]
    • Interdepartmental Major in Religious Studies and African American and African Diaspora Studies (Bachelor of Arts) [HISTBA_M05]
    • Interdepartmental Major in Religious Studies and Philosophy (Bachelor of Arts) [HISTBA_M06]
    • Minor in Religious Studies [RELMIN]

    Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.