Since few secondary schools offer courses in religious studies, not many undergraduates will be familiar with the academic study of religion. The undergraduate major in religious studies is a liberal arts major, comparable to such majors as history, philosophy, English, or classics. Courses in the department cover a wide range of subjects in and approaches to the study of religion, and provide students with the opportunity to examine the major religious traditions of human history and culture as well as other traditions that haver flourished independently of European or Asian influences. Many disciplines are brought to bear within the department on the study of religion: history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, psychology, theology, and ethics all have a role to play. Departmental courses also stress the development of skills in critical thinking, clear writing, and the persuasive use of evidence in argument, skills that are essential to the analysis and interpretation of the intellectual and social systems that constitute the data of religious studies.

A. Complete a minimum of ten graded courses (30 credits) within* the Department of Religious Studies. (see below for information about non-departmental courses)

1. Primary Concentration: Take at least three courses (9 credits) in one of the world's major religious traditions as a primary concentration: African religions (RELA), Buddhism (RELB), Christianity (RELC), Hinduism (RELH), Islam (RELI) or Judaism (RELJ).
   • At least one of these courses (3 credits) must be at the 300-level or above.
   • RELG 101 and RELG 104 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
2. Secondary Concentration: Take at least two courses (6 credits) in another of the world's religious traditions as a second concentration. (Both courses must be in the same religion.)
   • RELG 101 and RELG 104 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
   • Cross-listed courses may count toward either concentration with the exception of RELC/J 121 which must count toward the primary concentration if the primary concentration is in Christianity or Judaism.
3. Diversity Requirement
   • If the first and second concentrations are in Buddhism and Hinduism, or Buddhism and African religions, or African Religions and Hinduism, then one course must be taken in Christianity, Islam, or Judaism.
     • RELG 101 can be used to fulfill this requirement.
   • If the first and second concentrations are in Christianity and Islam, or Christianity and Judaism, or Islam and Judaism, then one course must be taken in African religions, Buddhism, or Hinduism.
     • RELG 104 can be used to fulfill this requirement.
4. Take three courses (9 credits) of the ten required at the 300 level or above. Courses taken to fulfill requirements #1 and #2 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
5. Take RELG 400 (Majors' Seminar).

B. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Students interested in declaring a major may obtain the major declaration form in the Religious Studies Office, 120 Halsey Hall, or in Garrett Hall. Worksheets are available here, (Adobe pdf) and in the department office. Prospective majors must consult with a faculty member in order to plan their courses and to choose an advisor. The Department HEGIS code is 151510.

For a list of courses in other UVA departments that can be counted towards the Religious Studies major, see list and requirements.

rev 7/2007