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Department of Religious Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and African American and African Diaspora Studies

Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements RELAAADBA

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and African American and African Diaspora Studies offers students an opportunity to explore and understand the religious traditions of the world with particular emphasis on the experiences of people of African descent. 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 and African American and African Diaspora 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 in this program remain relevant throughout one's professional and private life.

Requirements

The major requires at least 42 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Religious Studies Courses.
    1. Area C. One (1) course:
      • REL-C 202 Issues in Religion in the Americas
      • REL-C 220 American Religion and Politics
      • REL-C 230 American Jewish History
      • REL-C 300 Studies in Religion in the Americas
      • REL-C 303 Superheroes and Religion in American Culture
      • REL-C 320 African American Religions
      • REL-C 323 Jews and Race in the United States
      • REL-C 325 Race, Religion, and Ethnicity in the Americas
      • REL-C 330 Evangelical America
      • REL-C 335 New Religious Movements in the Americas
      • REL-C 345 Disaster in American Religion and Culture
      • REL-C 355 Religion and Sex in America
      • REL-C 401 Topics in American Religious History
      • REL-C 402 Religion, Illness, and Healing
      • REL-C 420 Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in American Religion
    2. Area A, Area B, Area D. One (1) course chosen from two different areas (two (2) courses total):
      • Area A--Africa, Europe, and West Asia
        • REL-A 202 Issues in African, European, and West Asian Religions
        • REL-A 210 Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
        • REL-A 220 Introduction to the New Testament
        • REL-A 230 Introduction to Judaism
        • REL-A 235 Sacred Books of the Jews
        • REL-A 250 Introduction to Christianity
        • REL-A 270 Introduction to Islam
        • REL-A 275 Sex and Gender in Islam
        • REL-A 300 Studies in African, European, and West Asian Religions
        • REL-A 305 Ancient Mediterranean Religions
        • REL-A 315 Prophecy in Ancient Israel
        • REL-A 316 Jews, Christians, and Others in Late Antiquity
        • REL-A 317 Judaism in the Making
        • REL-A 318 Rabbinic Judaism: Literature and Beliefs
        • REL-A 320 Jesus
        • REL-A 321 Paul and His Influence in Early Christianity
        • REL-A 325 Christianity: Christ to Constantine
        • REL-A 326 Early Christian Monasticism
        • REL-A 335 Introduction to Jewish Mysticism
        • REL-A 350 Christianity, 400--1500
        • REL-A 351 Christianity and Modernity
        • REL-A 355 The Right Belief: History of Orthodox Christianity
        • REL-A 375 Women in the Bible
        • REL-A 380 Knowing the Will of God in Islam I: Law
        • REL-A 415 Topics in Ancient Israelite Religion
        • REL-A 426 Gnostic Religion and Literature
        • REL-A 430 Topics in the History of Judaism
        • REL-A 435 Catholic Controversies
        • REL-A 440 Judaism and Gender: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives
        • REL-A 450 Topics in the History of Christianity
        • REL-A 470 Topics in Islamic Studies
        • REL-A 480 Knowing the Will of God in Islam II: Theology
        • REL-A 485 The Life and Legacy of Muhammad
      • Area B--South and East Asia
        • REL-B 202 Issues in South and East Asian Religions
        • REL-B 210 Introduction to Buddhism
        • REL-B 220 Introduction to Hinduism
        • REL-B 230 Introduction to Chinese Religion
        • REL-B 300 Studies in South and East Asian Religions
        • REL-B 310 East Asian Buddhism
        • REL-B 315 Tantric Buddhism
        • REL-B 320 Hindu Goddesses
        • REL-B 330 Women in South Asian Religious Traditions
        • REL-B 333 Seeing the Buddha: Buddhist Art of India and Tibet
        • REL-B 335 Bollywood and Beyond: Religion in South Asian Film
        • REL-B 360 Religions in Japan
        • REL-B 374 Classical Chinese Thought
        • REL-B 410 Topics in the Buddhist Tradition
        • REL-B 412 Buddhism and Popular Culture
        • REL-B 414 Buddhist Philosophy in India
        • REL-B 420 Topics in Hindu Religious Traditions
        • REL-B 433 Embodying Nirvana
        • REL-B 440 Topics in Daoism and Chinese Religion
        • REL-B 460 Topics in East Asian Religions
      • Area D--Theory, Ethics, and Comparison
        • REL-D 201 Shamans, Spirit Mediums and Prophets
        • REL-D 202 Issues in Theory, Ethics, and Comparison
        • REL-D 250 Religion, Ecology, and the Self
        • REL-D 300 Studies in Theory, Ethics, and Comparison
        • REL-D 301 Religion and Its Critics
        • REL-D 310 Contemporary Religious Thought
        • REL-D 315 Religion and Personality
        • REL-D 330 From Christian Ethics to Social Criticism I
        • REL-D 331 From Christian Ethics to Social Criticism II
        • REL-D 339 Pilgrimage and Sacred Landscapes
        • REL-D 340 Religion and Bioethics
        • REL-D 350 Religion, Ethics, and the Environment
        • REL-D 362 Religious Issues in Contemporary Judaism
        • REL-D 365 Friendship, Benevolence, and Love
        • REL-D 369 Religion and the Arts
        • REL-D 370 Topics in Gender and Western Religions
        • REL-D 375 Religion and Literature
        • REL-D 380 Comparative Study of Religious Phenomena
        • REL-D 385 Messianism and Messiahs in Comparative Perspective
        • REL-D 399 Gender, Sex, Bodies, and Religion
        • REL-D 410 Topics in Religious Thought
        • REL-D 430 Problems in Social Ethics
        • REL-D 485 Religion and Media
    3. Seminar. One (1) course:
      • REL-R 389 Majors Seminar in Religion
    4. 300–499 Level Religious Studies. 12 credit hours:
      • REL-A 300 Studies in African, European, and West Asian Religions
      • REL-A 305 Ancient Mediterranean Religions
      • REL-A 314 Gender and Power in the Hebrew Bible
      • REL-A 315 Prophecy in Ancient Israel
      • REL-A 316 Jews, Christians, and Others in Late Antiquity
      • REL-A 317 Judaism in the Making
      • REL-A 318 Rabbinic Judaism: Literature and Beliefs
      • REL-A 319 Magic and Witchcraft in the Ancient World
      • REL-A 320 Jesus
      • REL-A 321 Paul and His Influence in Early Christianity
      • REL-A 325 Christianity: Christ to Constantine
      • REL-A 326 Early Christian Monasticism
      • REL-A 335 Introduction to Jewish Mysticism
      • REL-A 350 Christianity, 400--1500
      • REL-A 351 Christianity and Modernity
      • REL-A 355 The Right Belief: History of Orthodox Christianity
      • REL-A 375 Women in the Bible
      • REL-A 380 Knowing the Will of God in Islam I: Law
      • REL-A 415 Topics in Ancient Israelite Religion
      • REL-A 426 Gnostic Religion and Literature
      • REL-A 430 Topics in the History of Judaism
      • REL-A 435 Catholic Controversies
      • REL-A 440 Judaism and Gender: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives
      • REL-A 450 Topics in the History of Christianity
      • REL-A 470 Topics in Islamic Studies
      • REL-A 480 Knowing the Will of God in Islam II: Theology
      • REL-A 485 The Life and Legacy of Muhammad
      • REL-B 300 Studies in South and East Asian Religions
      • REL-B 310 East Asian Buddhism
      • REL-B 312 Mythologies of Martial Arts
      • REL-B 315 Tantric Buddhism
      • REL-B 320 Hindu Goddesses
      • REL-B 330 Women in South Asian Religious Traditions
      • REL-B 333 Seeing the Buddha: Buddhist Art of India and Tibet
      • REL-B 335 Bollywood and Beyond: Religion in South Asian Film
      • REL-B 360 Religions in Japan
      • REL-B 374 Classical Chinese Thought
      • REL-B 410 Topics in the Buddhist Tradition
      • REL-B 412 Buddhism and Popular Culture
      • REL-B 414 Buddhist Philosophy in India
      • REL-B 420 Topics in Hindu Religious Traditions
      • REL-B 433 Embodying Nirvana
      • REL-B 440 Topics in Daoism and Chinese Religion
      • REL-B 460 Topics in East Asian Religions
      • REL-C 300 Studies in Religion in the Americas
      • REL-C 303 Superheroes and Religion in American Culture
      • REL-C 320 African American Religions
      • REL-C 323 Jews and Race in the United States
      • REL-C 325 Race, Religion, and Ethnicity in the Americas
      • REL-C 330 Evangelical America
      • REL-C 335 New Religious Movements in the Americas
      • REL-C 345 Disaster in American Religion and Culture
      • REL-C 355 Religion and Sex in America
      • REL-C 401 Topics in American Religious History
      • REL-C 402 Religion, Illness, and Healing
      • REL-C 420 Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in American Religion
      • REL-D 300 Studies in Theory, Ethics, and Comparison
      • REL-D 301 Religion and Its Critics
      • REL-D 310 Contemporary Religious Thought
      • REL-D 315 Religion and Personality
      • REL-D 325 Religions in Practice: Social Theories of Religion
      • REL-D 330 From Christian Ethics to Social Criticism I
      • REL-D 331 From Christian Ethics to Social Criticism II
      • REL-D 339 Pilgrimage and Sacred Landscapes
      • REL-D 340 Religion and Bioethics
      • REL-D 349 Religion, Science Fiction, and Fantasy
      • REL-D 350 Religion, Ethics, and the Environment
      • REL-D 362 Religious Issues in Contemporary Judaism
      • REL-D 365 Friendship, Benevolence, and Love
      • REL-D 369 Religion and the Arts
      • REL-D 370 Topics in Gender and Western Religions
      • REL-D 375 Religion and Literature
      • REL-D 380 Comparative Study of Religious Phenomena
      • REL-D 385 Messianism and Messiahs in Comparative Perspective
      • REL-D 399 Gender, Sex, Bodies, and Religion
      • REL-D 410 Topics in Religious Thought
      • REL-D 430 Problems in Social Ethics
      • REL-D 485 Religion and Media
      • REL-R 300 Studies in Religion
      • REL-R 389 Majors Seminar in Religion
      • REL-R 399 Reading for Honors
      • REL-R 497 Language Instruction for Religious Texts
      • REL-R 498 Advanced Language Instruction for Religious Texts
    5. 400–499 Level Religious Studies. Three (3) credit hours:
      • REL-A 415 Topics in Ancient Israelite Religion
      • REL-A 426 Gnostic Religion and Literature
      • REL-A 430 Topics in the History of Judaism
      • REL-A 435 Catholic Controversies
      • REL-A 440 Judaism and Gender: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives
      • REL-A 450 Topics in the History of Christianity
      • REL-A 470 Topics in Islamic Studies
      • REL-A 480 Knowing the Will of God in Islam II: Theology
      • REL-A 485 The Life and Legacy of Muhammad
      • REL-B 410 Topics in the Buddhist Tradition
      • REL-B 412 Buddhism and Popular Culture
      • REL-B 414 Buddhist Philosophy in India
      • REL-B 420 Topics in Hindu Religious Traditions
      • REL-B 433 Embodying Nirvana
      • REL-B 440 Topics in Daoism and Chinese Religion
      • REL-B 460 Topics in East Asian Religions
      • REL-C 401 Topics in American Religious History
      • REL-C 402 Religion, Illness, and Healing
      • REL-C 420 Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in American Religion
      • REL-D 410 Topics in Religious Thought
      • REL-D 430 Problems in Social Ethics
      • REL-D 485 Religion and Media
      • REL-R 497 Language Instruction for Religious Texts
      • REL-R 498 Advanced Language Instruction for Religious Texts
    6. Religious Studies Electives. Additional Religious Studies courses, as needed, to reach 21 credit hours:
      • Additional courses from the Area C list.
      • Additional courses from the Area A, Area B, Area D list.
      • REL-R 202 Topics in Religious Studies
      • REL-R 213 Literary Classics of Religion
      • REL-R 300 Studies in Religion
      • REL-R 389 Majors Seminar in Religion
      • REL-R 399 Reading for Honors
      • REL-R 497 Language Instruction for Religious Texts
      • REL-R 498 Advanced Language Instruction for Religious Texts
      • REL-R 499 Senior Honors Essay
      • One of:
        • REL-R 102 Religion and Popular Culture
        • REL-R 133 Introduction to Religion
        • REL-R 152 Jews, Christians, Muslims
        • REL-R 153 Religions of Asia
        • REL-R 160 Introduction to Religion in America
        • REL-R 170 Religion, Ethics, and Public Life
        • REL-R 175 Religion and Sports
  2. African American and African Diaspora Studies Courses.
    1. Introductory course. One (1) course:
      • AAAD-A 150 Survey of the Culture of Black Americans
    2. African American History. One (1) course:
      • AAAD-A 355 African American History I
      • AAAD-A 356 African American History II
    3. African American Literature. One (1) course:
      • AAAD-A 379 Early Black American Writing
      • AAAD-A 380 Contemporary Black American Writing
    4. Focal area. Nine (9) credit hours:
      • Arts
        • AAAD-A 100 African American Dance Company: Foundations and Practices
        • AAAD-A 104 Groups Theatre Workshop
        • AAAD-A 110 African American Choral Ensemble: Foundations and Practices
        • AAAD-A 112 Black Music of Two Worlds
        • AAAD-A 120 Soul Revue: Foundations and Practices
        • AAAD-A 221 Dance in the African Diaspora
        • AAAD-A 222 Black Women Artists
        • AAAD-A 243 Race and Representation in American Art
        • AAAD-A 251 Photography of and by the African Diaspora
        • AAAD-A 277 Images of Blacks in Films: 1903-1950s
        • AAAD-A 278 Contemporary Black Film
        • AAAD-A 283 Blacks in American Drama and Theatre, 1767-1945
        • AAAD-A 290 Sociocultural Perspective of African American Music
        • AAAD-A 295 Survey of Hip Hop
        • AAAD-A 297 Popular Music of Black America
        • AAAD-A 320 Black Dance History
        • AAAD-A 330 African American Cinematic Experience
        • AAAD-A 331 Visual Arts of the Harlem Renaissance
        • AAAD-A 332 Art of the Civil Rights Movement
        • AAAD-A 337 Soul Revue: Advanced Studies and Practices
        • AAAD-A 338 African American Dance Company: Advanced Studies and Practices
        • AAAD-A 339 African American Choral Ensemble: Advanced Studies and Practices
        • AAAD-A 345 Hip Hop Music and Culture
        • AAAD-A 352 African American Art II: African American Artists
        • AAAD-A 359 Ethnic/Racial Stereotypes in American Film
        • AAAD-A 384 Blacks in American Drama and Theatre, 1945-Present
        • AAAD-A 385 Seminar in Black Theatre
        • AAAD-A 388 Motown
        • AAAD-A 393 History of Jazz
        • AAAD-A 394 Survey of African American Music
        • AAAD-A 395 Contemporary Jazz and Soul Music
        • AAAD-A 396 Art Music of Black Composers
        • AAAD-A 430 The Cinema of Africana Women
        • AAAD-A 496 Black Religious Music
      • Literature
        • AAAD-A 131 Early African American and African Diaspora Literature
        • AAAD-A 132 Recent African American and African Diaspora Literature
        • AAAD-A 169 Introduction to African American Literature
        • AAAD-A 249 African American Autobiography
        • AAAD-A 479 Contemporary Black Poetry
        • AAAD-A 480 The Black Novel
      • History, Culture, and Social Issues
        • AAAD-A 113 Atkins Living-Learning Center Foundational Course
        • AAAD-A 154 History of Race in the Americas
        • AAAD-A 156 Black Liberation Struggles against Jim Crow and Apartheid
        • AAAD-A 203 Studying Blacks of the New World: African Americans and Africans in the African Diaspora
        • AAAD-A 205 Black Electoral Politics
        • AAAD-A 210 Black Women in the Diaspora
        • AAAD-A 238 Communication in Black America
        • AAAD-A 250 U.S. Contemporary Minorities
        • AAAD-A 255 The Black Church in America
        • AAAD-A 263 Contemporary Social Issues in the African American Community
        • AAAD-A 264 History of Sports and the African American Experience
        • AAAD-A 265 Modern Sports and the African American Experience
        • AAAD-A 292 African American Folklore
        • AAAD-A 304 Black Paris
        • AAAD-A 350 Black Atlantic
        • AAAD-A 354 Transnational Americas
        • AAAD-A 360 Slavery: Worldwide Perspective
        • AAAD-A 363 Research on Contemporary African American Problems I
        • AAAD-A 382 Black Community, Law, and Social Change
        • AAAD-A 386 Black Feminist Perspectives
        • AAAD-A 387 Black Migration
        • AAAD-A 391 Black Nationalism
        • AAAD-A 398 Advanced Topics in Social and Historical Studies for African American and African Diaspora Studies
        • AAAD-A 399 Advanced Topics in Arts and Humanities for African American and African Diaspora Studies
        • AAAD-A 405 Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, 1954-1974
        • AAAD-A 407 African American and African Protest Strategies
        • AAAD-A 408 Race, Gender, and Class in Cross-Cultural Perspective
        • AAAD-A 420 Transforming Divided Communities and Societies
        • AAAD-A 425 The Black Family in Twentieth-Century Rural America, 1900-1970
        • AAAD-A 427 Cross-Cultural Communication
        • AAAD-A 447 Race, Crime, and Media
        • AAAD-A 452 Historical Issues in Black Education
        • AAAD-A 481 Racism and the Law
    5. 300–499 Level African American and African Diaspora Studies. 12 credit hours:
      • AAAD-A 304 Black Paris
      • AAAD-A 320 Black Dance History
      • AAAD-A 330 African American Cinematic Experience
      • AAAD-A 331 Visual Arts of the Harlem Renaissance
      • AAAD-A 332 Art of the Civil Rights Movement
      • AAAD-A 337 Soul Revue: Advanced Studies and Practices
      • AAAD-A 338 African American Dance Company: Advanced Studies and Practices
      • AAAD-A 339 African American Choral Ensemble: Advanced Studies and Practices
      • AAAD-A 345 Hip Hop Music and Culture
      • AAAD-A 350 Black Atlantic
      • AAAD-A 352 African American Art II: African American Artists
      • AAAD-A 354 Transnational Americas
      • AAAD-A 355 African American History I
      • AAAD-A 356 African American History II
      • AAAD-A 359 Ethnic/Racial Stereotypes in American Film
      • AAAD-A 360 Slavery: Worldwide Perspective
      • AAAD-A 363 Research on Contemporary African American Problems I
      • AAAD-A 379 Early Black American Writing
      • AAAD-A 380 Contemporary Black American Writing
      • AAAD-A 382 Black Community, Law, and Social Change
      • AAAD-A 384 Blacks in American Drama and Theatre, 1945-Present
      • AAAD-A 385 Seminar in Black Theatre
      • AAAD-A 386 Black Feminist Perspectives
      • AAAD-A 387 Black Migration
      • AAAD-A 388 Motown
      • AAAD-A 391 Black Nationalism
      • AAAD-A 393 History of Jazz
      • AAAD-A 394 Survey of African American Music
      • AAAD-A 395 Contemporary Jazz and Soul Music
      • AAAD-A 396 Art Music of Black Composers
      • AAAD-A 398 Advanced Topics in Social and Historical Studies for African American and African Diaspora Studies
      • AAAD-A 399 Advanced Topics in Arts and Humanities for African American and African Diaspora Studies
      • AAAD-A 405 Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, 1954-1974
      • AAAD-A 407 African American and African Protest Strategies
      • AAAD-A 408 Race, Gender, and Class in Cross-Cultural Perspective
      • AAAD-A 420 Transforming Divided Communities and Societies
      • AAAD-A 425 The Black Family in Twentieth-Century Rural America, 1900-1970
      • AAAD-A 427 Cross-Cultural Communication
      • AAAD-A 430 The Cinema of Africana Women
      • AAAD-A 447 Race, Crime, and Media
      • AAAD-A 452 Historical Issues in Black Education
      • AAAD-A 479 Contemporary Black Poetry
      • AAAD-A 480 The Black Novel
      • AAAD-A 481 Racism and the Law
      • AAAD-A 496 Black Religious Music
    6. AAADS Electives. Additional African American and African Diaspora Studies courses, as needed, to reach 21 credit hours.
  3. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. 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.
    5. College Breadth. At least 38 credit hours must be completed in courses from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines outside of the major area.

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 AAAD or 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
Exclusions

The following courses cannot be applied toward major requirements or the College Breadth requirement:

  • AAAD-A141
  • AAAD-A 142
  • REL-R 495
  • REL-R 499 Senior Honors Essay
  • REL-X 371 Teaching Internship
  • REL-X 370 Service Learning in Religious Studies
  • REL-X 498 Individual Research in Religious Studies

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora Studies and English (AAADENGBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora Studies and History (AAADHISTBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora Studies and Religious Studies (AAADRELBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in African American and African Diaspora Studies and Sociology (AAADSOCBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in English and African American and African Diaspora Studies (ENGAAADBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in History and African American and African Diaspora Studies (HISTAAADBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies (PHILRELBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (RELBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Philosophy (RELPHILBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and African American and African Diaspora Studies (SOCAAADBA)
  • Minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADSMIN)
  • 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.