From a global perspective, religions are the most important bearers of cultural constructs. Religious scripture, ritual, metaphysics, morality and art enrich each new age by opening windows to the past, bequeathing traditional wisdom and modeling prophetic engagement.

In a liberal arts university, the study of religion is an essential discipline. Students and faculty join in the challenging task of assimilating the vast store of religious traditions currently available in print and electronic media. With the accumulation of knowledge, one also strives to cultivate evaluative and critical
skills after the fashion of the best theologians and religious scholars of the past.

The Religious Studies Major
Majoring in religious studies requires 30 hours of course work. 15 hours must be distributed among 4 content areas: Bible, Church History, Theology and Philosophy. 12 hours of electives can be used to specialize in one of the content areas. The remaining 3 hours is the senior research seminar.

In each area, varied offerings include broad survey courses that serve to introduce whole areas of study as well as focused courses designed for the deeper pursuits of special interests. With the advisors' help, students make course choices appropriate to their own levels of expertise.

Requirements for the Religious Studies major:
(please see course catalog for specific information)

• 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 (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)
 

CONTACT:
Dr. G. Byrns Coleman
Professor & Department Chair
gbcole@wingate.edu
704-233-8072