;

Religious Studies—Bachelor of Arts

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Website: Department of Religious Studies

College/School: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 

Apply to UIW: Application for the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies degree program prepares students to understand the implications and expressions of faith, and to apply that understanding through several career options.

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies degree program challenges students to understand how faith shapes the thoughts, lives, and ethics of individuals and communities.

Courses encompass various approaches to the study of religion. They explore ritual and textual traditions, consider the early formation of religions, and investigate the interaction of religious beliefs and practices through various societal aspects. Fields of study include Theology, Biblical Studies, Spirituality, World Religions, Ethics, and Religion and Culture. Students become familiar with several major religious traditions in the world in addition to Roman Catholicism. Students explore perennial questions concerning the reality of God, the meaning of human existence, the significance of the Bible, the dignity and liberation of the person, and ways to live ethically in a global world. To this end, students learn to appreciate religious diversity and the roles of religions and religious faith in shaping human life, as exemplified particularly in the Roman Catholic tradition.

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies Degree Plan

A minimum of 121 credit hours are required to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies degree program.

UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum

UIW core coursework is required. Review the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.

 

UIW Core Curriculum 
 Composition and Rhetoric  6 credit hours 
 Literature and Art 6 credit hours 
 Science and Mathematics 7 credit hours 
 History and Behavioral Science 6 credit hours 
 Philosophy and Religion  9 credit hours 
 Second Language  6 credit hours 
 Wellness and Physical Education  3 credit hours
  43 total core credit hours
   
 Community Service  45 clock hours (non-credit) 

Required Coursework

RELS 1305Introduction to Theology and Ethics

3

RELS 1315Origins of Christianity

3

RELS 1325The Religious Quest

3

RELS 1335Spirituality and Prayer

3

RELS 3345World Religions

3

RELS 4370Senior Seminar

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Biblical Studies

Select 3 credit hours from this list of courses.

RELS 3301Bible: Genesis to Kings

3

RELS 3310Pauline Literature

3

RELS 3399Contemporary Issues

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Theological Studies

Select 3 credit hours from this list of courses.

RELS 3320Christian Symbols and Celebrations

3

RELS 3327Jesus: Incarnate Word

3

RELS 3335God and Human Sexuality

3

RELS 3340Feminist Theologies

3

RELS 3350Environmental Theology and Ethics

3

RELS 3365Christian Worship

3

RELS 3375Catholicism Today

3

RELS 3399Contemporary Issues

3

RELS 4320U.S. Latino/a Theology and Culture

3

RELS 4330Death and Belief

3

RELS 4362Lay Leadership and Public Prayer

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Religion and Culture

Select 3 credit hours from this list of courses.

RELS 3305Catholic Social Teachings

3

RELS 3322Christianity Through Art

3

RELS 3325Arts for Christian Worship

3

RELS 3329Religion in America

3

RELS 3330Religion, Values, and Film

3

RELS 3332Mary, Mother of Jesus

3

RELS 3335God and Human Sexuality

3

RELS 3343Sacred Spaces: Christian and Comparative Perspectives

3

RELS 3350Environmental Theology and Ethics

3

RELS 3370Christian Ethics

3

RELS 3399Contemporary Issues

3

RELS 4300Women and Faith

3

RELS 4310/HIST 4310Women in Christian Tradition

3

RELS 4315Christian Spiritual Traditions and Themes

3

RELS 4320U.S. Latino/a Theology and Culture

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Credit Hours From Options

Select 9 credit hours from either General Religious Studies, or Biblical Studies, or Catholic Studies, or Theological Studies.

General Religious Studies

This option requires 9 credit hours of RELS electives.

Total Credit Hours:9

 

Biblical Studies

RELS 3301Bible: Genesis to Kings

3

RELS 3310Pauline Literature

3

RELS 3399Contemporary Issues

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Catholic Studies

Select 9 credit hours from this list of courses.

RELS 3305Catholic Social Teachings

3

RELS 3320Christian Symbols and Celebrations

3

RELS 3322Christianity Through Art

3

RELS 3325Arts for Christian Worship

3

RELS 3327Jesus: Incarnate Word

3

RELS 3332Mary, Mother of Jesus

3

RELS 3365Christian Worship

3

RELS 3370Christian Ethics

3

RELS 3375Catholicism Today

3

RELS 3399Contemporary Issues

3

RELS 4315Christian Spiritual Traditions and Themes

3

RELS 4320U.S. Latino/a Theology and Culture

3

RELS 4345Theologies of Liberation

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Theological Studies

Select 9 credit hours from this list of courses.

RELS 3322Christianity Through Art

3

RELS 3325Arts for Christian Worship

3

RELS 3327Jesus: Incarnate Word

3

RELS 3332Mary, Mother of Jesus

3

RELS 3335God and Human Sexuality

3

RELS 3340Feminist Theologies

3

RELS 3350Environmental Theology and Ethics

3

RELS 3365Christian Worship

3

RELS 3375Catholicism Today

3

RELS 3399Contemporary Issues

3

RELS 4320U.S. Latino/a Theology and Culture

3

RELS 4330Death and Belief

3

RELS 4362Lay Leadership and Public Prayer

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Field Education Recommended

1 to 3 credit hours of Field Education Experience is recommended, supervised by faculty in the Religious Studies department.

Total Credit Hours:1-3

Philosophy Coursework Recommended

6 credit hours of Philosophy coursework is recommended for this degree.

Total Credit Hours:6

Second Major, Concentration, or Minor

It is recommended that students in this degree program take a second major, or concentration, or minor. Minors are a minimum of 12 credit hours, with a minimum of 6 upper-division hours required. See Degree Requirements.

Total Credit Hours: 121

Pastoral Institute

Through the Pastoral Institute department, UIW offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for a variety of lay ministries in the church, including religious education at all levels, youth and campus ministry, parish leadership roles, and liturgical ministries.