Religion Degrees Online

The Theology Department offers students a faithful but critical consideration of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The program provides a forum for considering the transcendent and ultimate questions of human existence and prepares men and women for a variety of ministries within the Church. The major and minor programs both require specific liberal education courses in history and philosophy.

Philosophy Minor
The Philosophy minor program gives students an opportunity to examine the fundamental questions of human existence through courses on great philosophical thinkers and important philosophical issues. The program places special emphasis on a knowledge of the historical origins of the Western philosophical tradition and on the development of skills of philosophical analysis.

General Requirements
All students are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements.

Program Requirements
Students are required to take 4 semester(s) of Any approved by major adviser; requirements differ for track 1 and track 2..

Preparatory Coursework
This requirement ensures that students are introduced to the academic study of religion and understand how it is different from what they may have experienced in their own families or religious institutions. Students should enter 3xxx courses with an understanding of the academic expectations of the field.

The list of courses approved for this requirement will be updated regularly to accommodate new offerings.

Courses not on the list may be accepted by petition to the major adviser.
RELS 1002 - Introduction to the Study of Religion (3.0 cr)
or Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
· ALL 1275 - Buddhism in East Asia (3.0 cr)
· AMST 1011 - Religions and American Identity in the United States, From World War II to the Present, CD (3.0 cr)
· CNES 1001 - World of the Bible: Religions, Empires, and Discourses of Power, HP (3.0 cr)
· CNES 1082 - Jesus in History, HP (3.0 cr)
· CNES 1201 - The Bible: Context and Interpretation, LIT (3.0 cr)
· FREN 1904 - The Poetry of Vision: Dante’s “Purgatory” and Trecento Painting (3.0 cr)
· JWST 1034 - Introduction to Jewish History and Civilization, HP (3.0 cr)
· JWST 1201 - The Bible: Context and Interpretation, LIT (3.0 cr)

Christian Education
The Christian Education program prepares graduates for a broad range of ministries. Most of the students in this program feel a calling to ministry other than the pastorate, such as minister of education. Therefore, the program emphasizes the educational ministry of the church.

In addition to the Biblical-Theological studies, Christian Education courses include faith development, adolescent and adult development, and counseling.

The academic study of religion introduces students to the depth and richness of religious thought, texts, ritual, spiritual practice, moral and cultural values, and social institutions found in the major religious traditions of humankind. These phenomena are examined from a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives — historical, literary, philosophical, theological and social scientific. Thus, the study of religion is an important component of a liberal arts education.

Courses are intended to acquaint students with the historical development and contemporary expressions of one or more traditions, as well as the ways in which religious traditions shape and/or reflect cultures past and present, and to develop students’ analytical and critical skills. Tutorial reading courses and independent study projects allow students to pursue particular interests with faculty guidance.

The major and minor are designed to serve as focus of a liberal arts education for students with diverse career goals and as a foundation for those planning to continue the study of religion in a professional or graduate program.

his program consists of thirty-seven credit hours of specific and independent studies. Pre-requisite: One year of Language (Biblical or modern or one year of language will be added to the program).

Breakdown of core curriculum…Class Class Description Credits
CED 503 Teaching for Reconciliation 3 Credits
CED 602 School Business Administration 3 Credits
CED 604 Developmental School Counseling Programs: From Theory to Practice 3 Credits
CED 605 The Principalship 3 Credits
CED 606 Legal Requirements for Christian Schools 3 Credits
CED 607 Christian Schools: How to Get a School Going and Keep it Growing 3 Credits
CED 609 Secondary Principal’s Survival Guide 3 Credits
CED 511 Team Leadership in Christian Minitry 3 Credits
CED 612 Writing Research Papers Across the Curriculum 3 Credits
One Elective
(CED 513 Elementary Ed. -or- CED 610 Secondary Ed.) 3 Credits
Thesis 6 Credits
Total: 36 Credits

The Religion major consists of eight courses and requires both broad exposure to major approaches to studying religion and concentrated study in some aspect of religion. The requirements are organized in four parts:

General Education courses in religion: Religion 121 [BTS-B] and a course in theological studies [BTS-T].

Study of at least two religious traditions using three different academic approaches: a) Sacred Texts, b) Religion in History and Culture, and c) Religious Thought.

Intensive studies in religion: At least two Level III courses, at least one of which must be a seminar.
Elective courses.

seek distinction, particularly when the college and the department have other ways of recognizing high
achievement? What sets the distinction award apart is that it gives you the opportunity to develop your strengths by completing a polished scholarly paper. Your paper can be a completely new project; more typically, a student will revise an essay written for another religion course. It is an excellent way for you to round out your study of religion.

Below you will find a fuller description of the distinction award. The steps to be taken toward distinction are
listed, and an application form is attached. Please return the application form to me in Boe Chapel by Friday,
November 7th, 2008. If you would like to discuss your project or have any other questions about the program, I’ll be happy to talk with you.

Religion Department Distinction
Departmental distinction is awarded to students with a major in religion who have demonstrated their solid
foundation in the study of religion and who have demonstrated further their ability to produce independently
work of the highest scholarly or artistic standard. Achievement of the minimum grade points of 3.0 overall
and normally of 3.5 in religion is taken as evidence that students have completed the first component of
departmental distinction. The second component of distinction consists of a major, substantive project or
paper prepared with the direction of a faculty member in the department of religion. It should either confirm
or improve the student’s record in course work by demonstrating the quality of the student’s skill as a
researcher, as an interpreter of the ideas of others, and as a thinker.

A project or paper prepared for class or IR must be revised prior to submission as part of an application for
distinction. If a paper is submitted it should be of significant length; 7,500 to 10,000 words in length. The
paper should be presented in a uniform format according to a standard such as Turabian’s Manual for
Writers. Length and format of other sorts of projects should be discussed in the fall with both the advisor
and the Distinction Project Coordinator.

Evaluation of applications for distinction concentrates on the paper or project with the assumption that the
minimum grade point demonstrates a solid foundation. The readers committee for evaluation of the project
is selected by the Distinction Project Coordinator in consultation with the Department Chair. Normally the
readers committee consists of three persons: the student’s advisor for the project, a faculty member who has some knowledge of the topic, and a third faculty member whose major field is different from that of the
project. In addition, as soon as the readers have been appointed copies of the paper are made available to
interested members of the department.

Each of three readers evaluates the paper. If the project or paper receives the vote of at least two readers,
the Religion Department recommends that the student receive distinction; if the paper or projects receives
the vote of less than two readers, the Religion Department recommends that the student not receive
distinction.

The Department of Religion and Philosophy offers a major and minor in Religion, a major in Religion with an emphasis in Christian education, and a minor in Philosophy. It also provides General Education courses in religion and philosophy to all students.

The religion curriculum introduces students to the nature of religion, its function in society, and the potential of religion and philosophy to shape ethical, moral and societal values. Religion and philosophy intersect with history, art, literature, psychology, sociology, music, science, and many other fields of study, so students in other disciplines may want to consider a double major in religion or a minor in religion or philosophy. Individual programs of study may be developed for students who wish to combine a concentration in religion or philosophy with a major in another discipline.

Courses in religion acquaint students with the critical, reflective study of religion in its many cultural, literary and historical manifestations. Contemporary leaders in our global world require sensitivity to religious and cultural diversity, awareness of ethical values, and an understanding of the spiritual dimension of human life. A religion major or minor helps to prepare students for leadership roles in a variety of professional fields.

The major in Religion with an emphasis in Christian education prepares students to serve as leaders in Christian education in local churches or to pursue seminary or graduate school in Christian education or a related field. Persons who complete the major in Religion with an emphasis in Christian education meet the academic requirements for certification in The United Methodist Church.

Think of your choices. They are endless. Really. We are here to help you explore your choices. At Concordia, you have the following selections in Church Service Vocation specializations.

Lutheran Teacher Diploma
Concordia’s teacher education programs, fully accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, include a foundation in liberal arts and a core of education courses. In addition to selecting Early Childhood, Childhood, or Middle Childhood Generalist, you may choose to enter the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaching ministry serving as a commissioned minister of education and Christian leader dedicated to the exciting and enriching experience of leading and developing young minds and personalities. The Lutheran Teacher Diploma is in addition to the requirements for the appropriate New York State teaching certificate.

The most frequent opportunity for service with the Lutheran Teacher Diploma lies in teaching classes in Lutheran schools. Lutheran teachers, however, have many opportunities to serve today’s youth and the greater church with their unique talents and interests—coordinating youth programs, coaching athletics teams, and taking on administrative roles.

Master program in religious studies is intended to provide increased ability to independently, critically and professionally work with the religion of scientific inquiry in the various professional sectors of society, for example in education and training, in churches and communities, the media and culture and in society. Program designed to provide advanced knowledge of and ability to apply the religion, scientific theories and methods, and to provide experience of their own research.

The program has five searchable orientations which correspond to the institution’s five disciplines, which may constitute the main area of degree: Religion History, Religion Behavioral, Bible Science, Church and Mission studies, faith and life science.

Transitional provisions
You who are adopted before the fall semester 2007, when the transition to the new study scheme, which applies from the autumn term 2007, to apply for credits for courses equivalent to a maximum of 60 credits, from the religion of scientific program, the master program. The courses can be counted on master’s education courses shall be located not less than the C-level study in the old regime.

Requirements for the Religious Studies major:

General education courses (56 credit hours)
Must include Communications - Human Communications 101 (Public Speaking)
Biblical studies courses (6 credit hours)
Historical studies (3 credit hours)
Theological studies (3 credit hours)
Philosophical studies (3 credit hours)
Religion/Philosophy electives (12 credit hours)
Religion 490 (Senior Seminar)
Electives or minor (39 credit hours)

Requirements for the Religious Studies minor:
18 credit hours of 200-level or above courses from at least two of the four areas listed in the Religious Studies major (Biblical, Historical, Theological and Philosophical Studies)