A religious studies major enables students to gain competence in global religious diversity and develop the skills necessary for living and working effectively in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
A degree in religious studies is often added as a second major to enhance students’ education and training by stimulating their curiosity, expanding their imaginations, deepening their thinking, and helping them to better understand themselves and other people.
The department also provides its majors and minors with support for undergraduate research, for example in the form of scholarships, awards for the UI Undergraduate Research Festival, research assistant positions, and other support.
Learning Outcomes
Courses in religious studies help students to gain competence in global religious diversity by:
- understanding influential religious ideas and traditions;
- learning critical approaches to interpreting historical events and explaining the role of religion in societies;
- gaining analytical reading and writing skills and cross-cultural communication strategies;
- developing practical strengths to function well in diverse societies and a globalized world; and
- employing technologies to interpret ancient texts, images, and artifacts, and studying the output of new tools including radio, TV, and digital media.
The Bachelor of Arts in religious studies requires 30 s.h. of coursework, including 15 s.h. that are distributed across at least three of the department’s five core areas: social justice, equity, inclusion, and religion; religion in history; religion in global context; religion, values, and culture; and special topics and events. The remaining s.h. may be taken from any core area or religious studies course (prefix RELS). Of the 30 s.h., at least two courses (6 s.h.) must be numbered 3000 or above.
A minimum of 15 s.h. for the major must be earned at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major. Courses for the major may not be taken pass/nonpass.
Students must complete the college's graduation requirements, which include at least 120 s.h. of coursework and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. A number of the courses for the major count toward the GE CLAS Core. Students can identify courses approved for the GE CLAS Core by viewing the course descriptions. Students may count up to 56 s.h. of coursework from the Religious Studies Department (prefix RELS) toward credit required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
The BA with a major in religious studies requires the following coursework.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Area Courses | 15 |
| Additional Coursework | 15 |
Core Area Courses
Students select 15 s.h. (typically five courses) that are distributed across at least three of the department's five core areas.
Social Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Religion
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RELS:1015 | Global Religious Conflict and Diversity | 3 |
| RELS:1041 | African American Religion and Popular Culture | 3 |
| RELS:1350 | Introduction to African American Religions | 3 |
| RELS:1810 | Happiness in a Difficult World | 3 |
| RELS:2000 | Engaging Religious Diversity for Leadership and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| RELS:2330 | Wealth, Inequality, and Islam | 3 |
| RELS:3745 | Twentieth- and Twenty-first-Century African American Religion: Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter | 3 |
Religion in History
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RELS:1001 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
| RELS:1225 | Medieval Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:1250 | Modern Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:2152 | The Gnostic Religion: Knowledge, Institution, and Salvation | 3 |
| RELS:2775 | The Bible and the Holocaust | 3 |
| RELS:2930 | Digital Media and Religion | 3 |
| RELS:3190 | Medieval to Modern: The Birth of Protestantism | 3 |
| RELS:3385 | Early Modern Catholicism | 3 |
| RELS:3520 | Religious Violence and Nationalism | 3 |
| RELS:4155 | Religious Conflict: Early Modern Period | 3 |
Religion in Global Context
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RELS:1130 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
| RELS:1404 | Introduction to Asian Religions | 3 |
| RELS:1506 | Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS:1670 | Korea in the World | 3 |
| RELS:2515 | Introduction to Chinese Religious Thought: How Best to Live | 3 |
| RELS:2852 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
| RELS:3655 | Zen Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS:3850 | Perspectives on Migration | 3 |
Religion, Values, and Culture
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RELS:1070 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | 3 |
| RELS:1080 | Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| RELS:1702 | Religion in America Today | 3 |
| RELS:1903 | Quest for Human Destiny | 3 |
| RELS:2260 | Hard Cases in Healthcare at the Beginning of Life | 3 |
| RELS:2265 | Hard Cases in Healthcare at the End of Life | 3 |
| RELS:2272 | Gods and Superheroes: Mythologies for a Modern World | 3 |
| RELS:2877 | Sport and Religion in America | 3 |
| RELS:3431 | Gender and Sexuality in East Asia | 3 |
Special Topics and Current Events
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RELS:1050 | Big Ideas: Introduction to Information, Society, and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:2122 | The Place of Animals in the Hebrew Bible | 3 |
| RELS:2674 | Food, Body, and Belief: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| RELS:2980 | Religion and Contemporary Popular Culture | 3 |
| RELS:3055 | Death, Dying, and Beyond in Asian Religions | 3 |
| RELS:3267 | Dissent and Rebellion in Islamic Societies: Was There an Arab Spring? | 3 |
| RELS:3325 | Bioethics and Religious Diversity | 3 |
| RELS:4893 | Classical Arabic: Vocabulary, Syntax, and Grammar | 1-3 |
| RELS:4930 | Internship in Research on Rights and Remedial Justice | 1-3 |
| RELS:4960 | Individual Study: Undergraduates | arr. |
Additional Coursework
Students select another 15 s.h. from any core area list or any other religious studies course.
Honors in the Major
To graduate with honors in the religious studies major, students must have a UI cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.33, a minimum requirement set by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students also must maintain a UI religious studies GPA of at least 3.50. Beyond the 30 s.h. required for the major, students must take the 3 s.h. course RELS:4975 Honors Essay under the supervision of a faculty advisor and complete an approved honors thesis. Students often choose to take RELS:4960 Individual Study: Undergraduates or RELS:4970 Honors Tutorial in preparation for taking RELS:4975 Honors Essay, but this is not a requirement. Copies of the thesis are submitted to the Department of Religious Studies and may be published through Iowa Research Online.
University of Iowa Honors Program
Students also have the opportunity to pursue advanced studies and activities through the University of Iowa Honors Program. Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the university's honors program.
Students do not have to be members of the University of Iowa Honors Program to graduate with honors in the religious studies major.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.
GE CLAS Core courses are particularly valuable for students making the transition into the University of Iowa. They help students understand the academic expectations of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences while providing the knowledge and skills needed for more advanced work in the major.
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who wish to earn an undergraduate degree—Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Bachelor of Music (BM)—must complete the requirements of the GE CLAS Core.
GE CLAS Core Areas and Requirements
The GE CLAS Core has 11 required areas, grouped into three categories. Students must fulfill the requirements in each GE CLAS Core area. The requirements that follow are for students who entered the University of Iowa during summer 2024 or after. Students who entered during a previous semester are held to different requirements as indicated on a student's degree audit.
During the fall 2024 semester, two General Education requirement areas will be renamed. "Diversity and Inclusion” is being renamed “Understanding Cultural Perspectives,” and “Values and Culture” is being renamed “Values and Society.” These name changes are being made to better reflect the breadth of options students may select to satisfy these requirements. The name changes will apply to all current and future students’ records. The updates will not affect the names, content, or inclusion of any courses offered within those areas and will not affect degree requirements for any current or future student. For questions about which general education requirements apply based on programs of study and year of matriculation, please contact your academic advisor.
Communication and Literacy
- Diversity and Inclusion: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
- World Languages Pathways: required credit varies (see "World Languages Pathways" in this section of the catalog)
Sustainability
Students complete this requirement by choosing an approved GE CLAS Core course that integrates Sustainability (with no additional semester hours) with a course from the Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences category or the Culture, Society, and the Arts category.
Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
- Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Culture, Society, and the Arts
- Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
- Values and Culture: a minimum of 3 s.h.
Students may count transfer credit and/or credit by exam toward some GE CLAS Core requirements. See CLAS Core Policies for details regarding use of transfer credit, credit by exam, and other policies for how GE CLAS Core requirements may be fulfilled.
Communication and Literacy
Diversity and Inclusion
Courses in the Diversity and Inclusion area help to develop students’ recognition of their positions in an increasingly pluralistic world while fostering an understanding of social and cultural differences. Students reflect critically on their own social and cultural perspectives while increasing their ability to engage with people who have backgrounds or ideas different from their own. Students also explore the historical and structural bases of inequality and the benefits and challenges of diversity.
Transfer credit is not accepted for the Diversity and Inclusion requirement; students must complete this requirement with coursework taken at the University of Iowa.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Diversity and Inclusion area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM:1020/AMST:1030 | Introduction to African American Culture | 3 |
| AFAM:1030 | Introduction to African American Society | 3 |
| AFAM:1130 | The History of African American Film | 3 |
| AFAM:1241/MUS:1741 | The Soundtrack of Black America | 3 |
| AFAM:1900 | Diverse Topics in African American Studies | 3 |
| AFAM:2064/SOC:2064 | African American Families: Urban and Suburban | 3 |
| AFAM:2070/COMM:2069 | Black Television Culture | 3 |
| AFAM:2500 | Black Culture and Experience: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| AMST:1290/GHS:1290/HIST:1290/NAIS:1290 | Native American Foods and Foodways | 3 |
| AMST:2025 | Diversity in American Culture | 3 |
| ANTH:2151/GWSS:2151/IS:2151 | Global Migration in the Contemporary World | 3 |
| ANTH:2165/AMST:2165/NAIS:2165 | Native Peoples of North America | 3 |
| ARTS:2100 | Printmaking and Politics of Protest | 3 |
| CCCC:2220 | Foundations of Critical Cultural Competence | 3 |
| CINE:1195 | Video Games and Identity | 3 |
| CINE:1625 | Race, Gender, and Sexuality on Screen | 3 |
| CLSA:1415 | Ancient Origins of Religious Conflict | 3 |
| CLSA:1910 | Ancient and Modern Worlds: Common Problems | 3 |
| CLSA:2620/RELS:2620 | Sex and the Bible | 3 |
| CLSA:2800 | Race and Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean World | 3 |
| COMM:1168 | Music and Social Change | 3 |
| COMM:1898/LATS:1898 | Introduction to Latina/o/x Communication and Culture | 3 |
| DANC:2065 | Performing Power/Performing Protest: The Body, Identity, and the Image | 3 |
| DANC:2085 | Introduction to African Caribbean Dance Practices | 3 |
| DST:1101 | Introduction to Disability Studies | 3 |
| EDTL:2670 | Peacebuilding, Singing, and Writing in a Prison Choir | 3 |
| EDTL:4900 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EPLS:1240 | Finding Your Path in Higher Education | 3 |
| FREN:2010/ASIA:2001/RUSS:2001/TRNS:2001/WLLC:2001 | Global Science Fiction | 3 |
| GHS:1200/DST:1200/GRMN:1200/WLLC:1200 | Disabilities and Inclusion in Writing and Film Around the World | 3 |
| GRMN:2600 | Witch Hunts in Fact and Fiction: A Global History of Exclusion | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2620/WLLC:2620 | Anne Frank and Her Story | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2675/MUSM:2675 | The Politics of Memory: Holocaust, Genocide, and 9/11 | 3-4 |
| GWSS:1001 | Introduction to Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| GWSS:1002 | Diversity and Power in the U.S. | 3 |
| HHP:1045 | Diversity and Inclusion in Healthy Living | 3 |
| HHP:2280 | Cultural Competency and Health | 3 |
| HIST:1040 | Diversity in History | 3 |
| HIST:2267/AFAM:2267 | African American History to 1877: From Slave Cabin to Senate Floor | 3 |
| HIST:2268/AFAM:2268 | African American History Since the Civil War | 3 |
| IS:2020 | World Events Today! | 3 |
| ITAL:2660 | The Italian American Experience | 3 |
| JMC:2500 | Community Media | 3 |
| JMC:2600 | Freedom of Expression | 3 |
| LATS:2280/HIST:2280 | Introduction to Latina/o/x Studies | 3 |
| LING:1070 | Language Attitudes: Is How You Sound How You Are Seen? | 3 |
| MATH:1210 | Diverse Perspectives in the Mathematical Sciences | 3 |
| PHIL:2425 | Sex, Marriage, Friendship, and the Law (GE status effective fall 2022; students with a first degree-seeking session of summer 2017 and beyond may use this course for the Diversity and Inclusion GE requirement) | 3 |
| POLI:1601 | Introduction to Social Media and Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1800 | Introduction to the Politics of Class and Inequality | 3 |
| POLI:1900 | Introduction to the Politics of Race | 3 |
| POLI:1950 | Introduction to the Politics of Religion | 3 |
| PSY:1501 | Everyone's a Little Bit Biased: The Science Behind Prejudice | 3 |
| RELS:1015 | Global Religious Conflict and Diversity | 3 |
| RELS:2000 | Engaging Religious Diversity for Leadership and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| RELS:2330 | Wealth, Inequality, and Islam | 3 |
| RHET:2135/SJUS:2135 | Rhetorics of Diversity and Inclusion | 3 |
| SJUS:1001/GWSS:1003 | Introduction to Social Justice | 3 |
| SJUS:2240/RELS:2240/HIST:2149 | The Worlds of Jews and Judaism: An Introduction to Jewish Studies | 3 |
| SOC:1030 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3-4 |
| SOC:2830 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SPAN:2050 | Spanish in the United States | 3 |
| SPST:1074/AMST:1074/GWSS:1074 | Inequality in American Sport | 3 |
| SSW:1200 | Mental Health Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| THTR:2320 | Playwriting in a Global World | 3 |
| THTR:2405 | Staging Americans: U.S. Cultures Through Theatre and Performance | 3 |
| THTR:2605/EDTL:2963 | Monsters, Victims, and Villains: Changing Perceptions | 3 |
| TRNS:2000 | Translation and Global Society | 3 |
| WLLC:2222/ASIA:2222/GWSS:2222 | Women in Premodern East Asian Literature | 3 |
| WRIT:2100 | Writing and Community Outreach | 3 |
Interpretation of Literature
Courses in the Interpretation of Literature area focus on the major genres of literature (short and long fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama), improving students' abilities to read and analyze a variety of texts. Small group discussions in these courses challenge students to think critically, to share insights, and to listen thoughtfully to the arguments of others.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Interpretation of Literature area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSA:1200 | Interpretation of Ancient Literature | 3 |
| ENGL:1200 | The Interpretation of Literature | 3 |
| ENGL:2010 | Foundation of the English Major: Histories, Literatures, Pleasures | 3 |
| FREN:1005 | Texts and Contexts: French-Speaking World | 3 |
| FREN:1007 | Nature/Ecology French Philosophy and Fiction | 3 |
| WLLC:1510/ASIA:1510 | Ghost Stories and Tales of the Weird in Premodern Chinese Literature | 3 |
Rhetoric
Rhetoric courses develop speaking, writing, listening, and critical reading skills and build competence in research, analysis, and argumentation.
All entering first-year students are required to complete RHET:1030 Rhetoric. Because rhetorical skills lay the foundation for further study at the University, most students register for RHET:1030 during their first year at Iowa.
Students who must enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses as determined by their English proficiency evaluation must complete all ESL courses before they may register for RHET:1030 Rhetoric.
Students who have transfer credit in composition, speech, and argumentation but have not been granted an AA degree from an institution that has an articulation agreement with the University of Iowa often must take RHET:1040 Writing and Reading or RHET:1060 Speaking and Reading in addition to their transfer courses in composition and/or speech to complete the equivalent of RHET:1030 Rhetoric.
Each entering student's degree audit shows the course(s) that must be completed in order to fulfill the Rhetoric requirement.
The following courses are approved for the Rhetoric area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4-5 |
| RHET:1040 | Writing and Reading | 3 |
| RHET:1060 | Speaking and Reading | 3 |
Transfer of Credit for Rhetoric
Transfer students who have been granted an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from an Iowa or Illinois community college or Waldorf College in Iowa have satisfied the Rhetoric requirement.
Transfer credit for students without an AA degree from an institution that has an articulation agreement with the University of Iowa is evaluated as follows:
- transfer students who have completed composition I, composition II, and speech at another institution have satisfied the GE CLAS Core Rhetoric requirement of RHET:1030 Rhetoric;
- transfer students who have completed only composition I must complete RHET:1030 Rhetoric at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed composition I and speech must complete RHET:1040 Writing and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed only speech must complete RHET:1040 Writing and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- transfer students who have completed composition I and II or only composition II must complete RHET:1060 Speaking and Reading at the University of Iowa;
- for transfer students who have completed any other course at another institution that may be equivalent to RHET:1030 Rhetoric, the University of Iowa Office of Admissions examines the content of the course and decides on equivalency based on the content of that course, conferring with the Department of Rhetoric on the correct equivalency, if necessary.
World Languages Pathways
GE CLAS Core courses in World Languages provide the practice of important communication skills in a second language as well as the knowledge of the cultures in which the language is spoken. This in-depth study allows students to better understand how languages as a whole function, encouraging students to learn more about their own first language, including how it creates both inclusion and diversity. To fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement in World Languages, students may choose one of the following pathways.
Fourth Level
The fourth-level pathway requires students to:
- complete four years of a single world language in high school; or
- achieve the fourth level of proficiency in a world language by completing the appropriate sequence of courses offered at the University of Iowa; or
- achieve the fourth level of proficiency by completing appropriate courses at another college or university or through approved study abroad courses; or
- achieve an equivalent score on a related Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other approved college-level examination accepted by the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see Credit By Exam Options on the Office of Admissions website); or
- earn an equivalent score on both a UI written placement test and on a UI oral proficiency exam in a language taught at the University of Iowa (see World Languages Placement Test (WLPT) on the New Student Services website); or
- earn an equivalent score on a proficiency exam in a language that is not taught at the University of Iowa (see Proficiency Examinations for Languages Not Taught at UI on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website).
A fourth level of proficiency is equivalent to the successful completion of an intermediate II language course (or of a second-year second semester course, for example) as taught at the University of Iowa. Depending on a student's placement test results and the language taken, a student may need to take four semesters of a language to satisfy the requirement using this pathway, starting with a beginning course and ending with a second semester intermediate course. Other students may be able to start elsewhere in the language sequence and reach fourth-level proficiency by taking two or three courses. See "World Languages Placement Tests" under Placement Tests on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
Third Level Plus a World Language and Cultural Exploration Course
The third-level plus a World Language and Cultural Exploration Course pathway requires students to:
- complete third-level coursework in a single world language in high school or college; and
- complete a World Language and Cultural Exploration course.
In courses approved for the World Language and Cultural Exploration GE area, students explore topics and issues through the lens of a world language (other than English) and/or culture, or multiple world languages and/or cultures. These courses help students expand their knowledge of language systems and structure and/or the role of language in social interactions, cultural environments, and identity formation. The World Language and Cultural Exploration course may be taken at any time: before, concurrently, or after taking the three levels of world language coursework. The World Language and Cultural Exploration course may be taken in an area related to the world languages coursework or in a different area. Suitable work may include a study abroad or experiential learning course. A minimum of 3 s.h. is required in this area.
Second Level of Two Languages
The second level of two language pathways requires students to complete second-level coursework in each of two different world languages in high school or college.
Course Information
World language courses for the third level plus a World Language and Cultural Exploration course pathway or second level of two languages pathway may include any combination of high school and college-level coursework, including transfer courses.
Transfer students who have not sent an official high school transcript to UI Admissions must do so if they want to use high school courses to satisfy any portion of the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
Semester hours earned for these courses vary by language and pathway. Students should be sure to take the placement test for the language of interest and should be aware of the course sequence required to fulfill the GE requirement in World Languages for that particular language.
Once the World Languages requirement is completed, a student may earn up to an additional 8 s.h. of college credit while studying a world language. See Furthering Language Incentive Program (FLIP) on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.
Students may use the following language course sequences to fulfill the World Languages requirement using the fourth level pathway. Completing part of one of the following sequences, finishing with the third or second level, would fulfill part of the third level plus a World Language and Cultural Exploration course pathway or the second level of two languages pathway. To avoid duplication or regression, and with questions about what qualifies as second or third level for a given language, consult the appropriate language department before registering for courses.
American Sign Language
Courses in American Sign Language (ASL) are offered by the American Sign Language Program. The following sequence achieves fourth-level proficiency and fulfills one of the ways to meet the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ASL:1001 | American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL:1002 | American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL:2001 | American Sign Language III | 4 |
| ASL:2002 | American Sign Language IV | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of American Sign Language should consult the ASL program for placement.
Arabic
Courses in Arabic are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence achieves fourth-level proficiency and fulfills one of the ways to meet the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARAB:1001 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
| ARAB:1002 | Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
| ARAB:2001 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I | 5 |
| ARAB:2002 | Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II | 5 |
Students with previous knowledge of Arabic should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Chinese
Courses in Chinese are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Chinese.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHIN:1111 | First-Year Chinese: First Semester | 5 |
| CHIN:1112 | First-Year Chinese: Second Semester | 5 |
| CHIN:2101 | Second-Year Chinese: First Semester | 5 |
| CHIN:2102 | Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Chinese language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Heritage learners and students who have studied Chinese abroad may be able to substitute CHIN:2103 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: First Semester and CHIN:2104 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester for CHIN:2101 and CHIN:2102. Consult the department for more information.
French
Courses in French are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of French.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN:1001 | Elementary French I | 5 |
| FREN:1002 | Elementary French II | 5 |
| FREN:2001 | Intermediate French I | 5 |
| FREN:2002 | Intermediate French II | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of French language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of French may be able to substitute FREN:1010 First-Year French Review for FREN:1001 and FREN:1002 in the preceding sequence. Some students may be evaluated as ready for FREN:2001 or FREN:2002. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
German
Courses in German are offered by the Department of German. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of German.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GRMN:1001 | Elementary German I | 4 |
| GRMN:1002 | Elementary German II | 4 |
| GRMN:2001 | Intermediate German I | 4 |
| GRMN:2002 | Intermediate German II | 4 |
Students may use varied combinations of German language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of German may be able to substitute GRMN:1010 First-Year German Review for GRMN:1001 and GRMN:1002 in the preceding sequence. Some students may be evaluated as ready for GRMN:2001 or GRMN:2002. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
Greek
Courses in Greek are offered by the Department of Classics. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Greek.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSG:1001 | Classical and New Testament Greek I | 5 |
| CLSG:1002 | Classical and New Testament Greek II | 5 |
| CLSG:2001 | Second-Year Greek I | 3 |
| CLSG:2002 | Second-Year Greek II | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Greek should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Italian
Courses in Italian are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Italian.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ITAL:1101 | Elementary Italian I | 5 |
| ITAL:1102 | Elementary Italian II | 5 |
| ITAL:2203 | Intermediate Italian I | 4 |
| ITAL:2204 | Intermediate Italian II | 4 |
Students with strong language learning abilities or a background in Italian or another Romance language may be able to substitute ITAL:1103 Intensive Elementary Italian for ITAL:1101 and ITAL:1102 in the preceding sequence. Consult the department for appropriate placement.
Japanese
Courses in Japanese are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Japanese.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JPNS:1001 | First-Year Japanese: First Semester | 5 |
| JPNS:1002 | First-Year Japanese: Second Semester | 5 |
| JPNS:2001 | Second-Year Japanese: First Semester | 5 |
| JPNS:2002 | Second-Year Japanese: Second Semester | 5 |
Students may use varied combinations of Japanese language courses approved to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of Japanese should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Korean
Courses in Korean are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Korean.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KORE:1101 | First-Year Korean: First Semester | 4 |
| KORE:1102 | First-Year Korean: Second Semester | 4 |
| KORE:2101 | Second-Year Korean: First Semester | 4 |
| KORE:2102 | Second-Year Korean: Second Semester | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Korean should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Latin
Courses in Latin are offered by the Department of Classics. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Latin. Students must take both CLSL:2001 and CLSL:2002 in order to fulfill the fourth-level pathway of the World Languages requirement. These courses require a similar knowledge of Latin, but one focuses on poetry and the other on prose. Other world languages permit a student to complete the last courses in the sequence to meet the GE CLAS Core requirement because the final course is more difficult than the previous ones. This is not true with the Latin sequence, and therefore, both courses must be successfully completed.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSL:1001 | Elementary Latin I | 5 |
| CLSL:1002 | Elementary Latin II | 5 |
| CLSL:2001 | World of Cicero | 3 |
| CLSL:2002 | Golden Age of Roman Poetry | 3 |
Students with previous knowledge of Latin should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Portuguese
Courses in Portuguese are offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Two sequences in Portuguese are approved to achieve fourth-level proficiency. All courses are open to entering first-year students.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PORT:2000 | Accelerated Elementary Portuguese | 5 |
| PORT:2500 | Accelerated Intermediate Portuguese | 5 |
Students may also substitute PORT:2010 Elementary Portuguese I and PORT:2015 Elementary Portuguese II for PORT:2000 in the preceding sequence.
Students with previous knowledge of Portuguese should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Russian
Courses in Russian are offered by the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Russian.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RUSS:1111 | First-Year Russian I | 5 |
| RUSS:1112 | First-Year Russian II | 5 |
| RUSS:2111 | Second-Year Russian I | 4 |
| RUSS:2112 | Second-Year Russian II | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Russian should consult the department for appropriate placement.
Spanish
Courses in Spanish are offered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Spanish.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN:1001 | Elementary Spanish I | 4 |
| SPAN:1002 | Elementary Spanish II | 4 |
| SPAN:1501 | Intermediate Spanish I | 4 |
| SPAN:1502 | Intermediate Spanish II | 4 |
Students may use varied combinations of Spanish language courses to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Those with previous knowledge of Spanish may be able to substitute SPAN:1003 Elementary Spanish Review for SPAN:1001 and SPAN:1002 in the preceding sequence.
The accelerated course SPAN:1503 Accelerated Intermediate Spanish, which combines SPAN:1501 and SPAN:1502, may be appropriate for some students.
The accelerated course SPAN:1505 Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers may be appropriate for other students.
Students with previous knowledge of Spanish should take the language placement test in Spanish to help determine proper placement.
Swahili
Courses in Swahili are offered by the Department of French and Italian. The following sequence is one way to fulfill the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students without previous knowledge of Swahili. Each of these courses is open to entering first-year students.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWAH:1001 | Elementary Swahili I | 4 |
| SWAH:1002 | Elementary Swahili II | 4 |
| SWAH:2001 | Intermediate Swahili I | 4 |
| SWAH:2002 | Intermediate Swahili II | 4 |
Students with previous knowledge of Swahili should consult the department for appropriate placement.
World Language and Cultural Exploration
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ASIA:1005/JPNS:1005 | Scripts and Trips: A Journey Through East Asia | 3 |
| ASL:1500 | Exploring the Deaf World | 3 |
| FREN:1500 | Trip to Belgium, France, and Switzerland | 3 |
| GRMN:1550 | German Food, History, and Culture: Beyond Bier and Bratwurst | 3 |
| ITAL:2205 | Exploring Italy: Culture, Society, and Communication | 3 |
| JPNS:2127/ASIA:2127/CLSA:2127 | Books of the Silk Roads | 3 |
| LAS:2700/COMM:2800/IS:2700/SPAN:2700/PORT:2700 | Introduction to Latin American Studies | 3 |
| LING:1080 | Communicating Across Linguistic Differences | 3 |
| SPAN:1800 | Writing and Writers from Latin America | 3 |
| SWAH:2100 | Exploring East African Languages and Cultures | 3 |
| TRNS:2578 | Translation in the Humanities: Modes and Approaches | 3 |
Other Course Sequences
A student who successfully completes a four-semester world language sequence that has not been approved for the GE CLAS Core may have the sequence substituted for a proficiency test to fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement.
Students who complete a world language sequence this way should notify the department that offers the sequence; the department will contact Degree Services in the Office of the Registrar, which will update a student's degree audit to show fulfillment of the World Languages requirement.
Sustainability
Courses in the Sustainability area focus on identifying concepts and terminology associated with sustainability and systems-thinking, investigating the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, and evaluating how students’ own actions affect and are affected by society’s ability to meet sustainability goals. Students also investigate institutional and/or cultural processes or natural systems processes.
Sustainability learning outcomes are integrated with the outcomes for another GE CLAS Core area so that one approved course satisfies this requirement without adding semester hours. Students complete this requirement by choosing one of the following courses that have been approved for Sustainability and another GE CLAS Core area.
Sustainability and Natural Sciences
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM:1050 | Chemistry of Our World | 3 |
| EES:1080/ENVS:1080 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3-4 |
| EES:1085/ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science | 4 |
| EES:1400 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| GEOG:1020 | The Global Environment | 3 |
Sustainability and Quantitative or Formal Reasoning
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEOG:1030 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
Sustainability and Social Sciences
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
| GEOG:2013/BUS:2013/SUST:2013/URP:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| SOC:1040 | Energy, Sustainability, and Society | 3 |
| URP:2020/PBAF:2020 | Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
Sustainability and Historical Perspectives
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST:1115/EES:1115/ENVS:1115/GEOG:1115 | The History of Oil | 3 |
Sustainability and International and Global Issues
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPH:2200 | Climageddon: Understanding Climate Change and Associated Impacts on Health | 3 |
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
| GWSS:1046/ANTH:1046/GEOG:1046/SJUS:1046 | Environmental Politics in India | 3 |
| POLI:1510 | International Politics of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| POLI:2500 | Politics of Natural Disasters | 3 |
| SPST:2170 | Sport and Globalization | 3 |
Sustainability and Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TDSN:2210 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
Sustainability and Values and Culture
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JMC:1800 | Twenty-first-Century Science: Environmental Communication in the Digital Age | 3 |
Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Courses in the Natural Sciences area explore the scope and major concepts of a scientific discipline. Students learn the attitudes and practices of scientific investigators: logic, precision, experimentation, tentativeness, and objectivity. In courses with a laboratory component, students gain experience in the methods of scientific inquiry.
All students must complete at least 7 s.h. of coursework in the Natural Sciences area, including at least one natural science lab component. The following courses are approved for the area; courses with a lab component are noted "(lab)."
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1301 | Human Origins | 3 |
| ASTR:1060/BIOL:1060/EES:1060 | Big Ideas: Origins of the Universe, Earth, and Life | 3 |
| ASTR:1070 | Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| ASTR:1079 | Introductory Astronomy Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| ASTR:1080 | Exploration of the Solar System (lab) | 4 |
| ASTR:1085 | Citizen Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR:1771 | Fundamental Astronomy I: The Solar System and Exoplanets (lab) | 4 |
| ASTR:1772 | Fundamental Astronomy II: Evolution of Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1140 | Human Biology: Nonmajors (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1141 | Human Biology: Health Professions (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1251 | How the Brain Works (and Why it Doesn't) | 3-4 |
| BIOL:1260 | Plants and Human Affairs | 2-3 |
| BIOL:1261 | Introduction to Botany (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1370 | Understanding Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:1412 | Diversity of Form and Function (lab) | 4 |
| BIOL:2120 | Good Genes Gone Bad: Genetic Disorders of Notable Celebrities | 3 |
| CHEM:1050 | Chemistry of Our World | 3 |
| CHEM:1060 | Technology and Society Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| CHEM:1070 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM:1080 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM:1100 | Chemistry in Industry and the Economy | 3 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I (lab) | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II (lab) | 4 |
| CHEM:1160 | Principles of Chemistry Lab (lab only) | 2 |
| EES:1030/CEE:1030 | Introduction to Earth Science (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| EES:1031/CEE:1031 | Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory (lab only; students must have previously completed EES:1030/CEE:1030 without the lab) | 1 |
| EES:1040 | Evolution and the History of Life (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| EES:1050 | Introduction to Geology (lab) | 4 |
| EES:1070 | Age of Dinosaurs (lab) | 4 |
| EES:1080/ENVS:1080 | Introduction to Environmental Science (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.; not for students who have taken EES:1085 or ENVS:1085) | 3-4 |
| EES:1081/ENVS:1081 | Introduction to Environmental Sciences Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| EES:1085/ENVS:1085 | Fundamentals of Environmental Science (lab; not for students who have taken EES:1080 or ENVS:1080) | 4 |
| EES:1290 | Energy and the Environment | 3 |
| EES:1400 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
| GEOG:1020 | The Global Environment | 3 |
| GEOG:1021 | The Global Environment Lab (lab only) | 1 |
| HHP:1100 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HHP:1110 | Human Anatomy Laboratory (lab only) | 1 |
| HHP:1300 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3 |
| HHP:1400 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| HHP:2310 | Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| PCOL:2220 | Drug Use and Abuse | 3 |
| PHYS:1200 | Physics of Everyday Experience | 3 |
| PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| PHYS:1409 | Basic Physics Lab (lab only) | 1 |
| PHYS:1410 | Physics of Sound (with lab 4 s.h.; without lab 3 s.h.) | 3-4 |
| PHYS:1511 | College Physics I (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1512 | College Physics II (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1619 | Introductory Physics II Lab (lab only; students must have previously completed PHYS:1612 without the lab) | 1 |
| PHYS:1701 | Physics I (lab) | 4 |
| PHYS:1702 | Physics II (lab) | 4 |
| SIED:3164 | Introduction to Global Socioscientific Challenges | 3 |
Quantitative or Formal Reasoning
Courses in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area help develop analytical skills through the practice of quantitative or formal symbolic reasoning. Courses focus on presentation and evaluation of evidence and argument; understanding the use and misuse of data; and organization of information in quantitative or other formal symbolic systems, including those used in computer science, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, and statistics.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area. Students also may fulfill this GE CLAS Core requirement by completing a course that lists an approved GE CLAS Core course as a prerequisite. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM:1117 | Advocacy and Argument | 3 |
| CPH:1600 | Public Health Science: Inquiry and Investigation in Public Health | 3 |
| CS:1020 | Principles of Computing | 3 |
| CS:1110 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CS:1210 | Computer Science I: Fundamentals | 4 |
| GEOG:1030 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
| LING:1050 | Language and Formal Reasoning | 3 |
| MATH:1020 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
| MATH:1120 | Logic of Arithmetic | 4 |
| MATH:1260 | PokeMath: The Mathematics of Pokemon Go | 3 |
| MATH:1340 | Mathematics for Business | 4 |
| MATH:1350 | Quantitative Reasoning for Business | 4 |
| MATH:1440 | Mathematics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| MATH:1460 | Calculus for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH:1850 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHIL:1636 | Principles of Reasoning: Argument and Debate | 3 |
| POLI:1050/RELS:1050 | Big Ideas: Introduction to Information, Society, and Culture | 3 |
| POLI:1700 | Introduction to Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSY:2811 | Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology I | 3 |
| STAT:1010 | Statistics and Society | 3 |
| STAT:1015/DATA:1015 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
| STAT:1020/PSQF:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference | 3 |
| STAT:1030 | Statistics for Business | 4 |
| STAT:2010 | Statistical Methods and Computing | 3 |
Social Sciences
Courses in the Social Sciences area focus on human behavior and the institutions and social systems that shape and are shaped by that behavior. Courses provide an overview of one or more social science disciplines, their theories, and their methods.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Social Sciences area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1101/IS:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
| ANTH:2136 | Race, Place, and Power: Urban Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH:2261 | Human Impacts on the Environment | 3 |
| ASP:1800/CSD:1800/NURS:1800/SSW:1800/TR:1800 | Aging Matters: Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| COMM:1170 | Communication Theory in Everyday Life | 3 |
| COMM:1174 | Media and Society | 3 |
| CPH:1400 | Fundamentals of Public Health | 3 |
| CRIM:1410 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CSD:3117/LING:3117 | Psychology of Language | 3 |
| CSD:3118/LING:3118 | Language Acquisition | 1-3 |
| ECON:1100 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON:1200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| EDTL:2630 | Introduction to the Psychology of Music | 3 |
| GEOG:1090 | Globalization and Geographic Diversity | 3 |
| GEOG:2013/BUS:2013/SUST:2013/URP:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability (GE status effective summer 2022; students with a first degree-seeking session of summer 2011 and beyond may use this course for the Social Sciences GE requirement) | 3 |
| GEOG:2110/GHS:2110 | Eight Billion and Counting: Introduction to Population Dynamics | 3 |
| GEOG:2910 | The Global Economy | 3 |
| JMC:1100 | Introduction to Media Effects | 3 |
| LAW:1010 | Introduction to the Legal System and Practice | 3 |
| LING:1010 | Language and Society | 3 |
| LING:1060 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| MUSM:3001/ANTH:3001/EDTL:3001/SIED:3001 | Introduction to Museum Studies | 3 |
| POLI:1100 | Introduction to American Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1200 | Introduction to Political Behavior | 3 |
| POLI:1300 | Introduction to Political Thought and Action | 3 |
| POLI:1400 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1401 | Introduction to Russian Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1449 | Introduction to European Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1500 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLI:1600 | Introduction to Political Communication | 3 |
| POLI:2415/LAS:2415 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| PSQF:2115 | Introduction to Counseling Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:2301 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:2401 | Introduction to Developmental Science | 3 |
| PSY:2601 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| SOC:1010 | Introduction to Sociology | 3-4 |
| SOC:1040 | Energy, Sustainability, and Society | 3 |
| SOC:1220 | Principles of Social Psychology | 3-4 |
| TR:1070 | Perspectives on Leisure and Play | 3 |
| URP:1001/PBAF:1001 | How to Change the World | 3 |
| URP:2020/PBAF:2020 | Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
Culture, Society, and the Arts
Historical Perspectives
Courses in the Historical Perspectives area help students comprehend the historical processes of change and continuity; develop the ability to generalize, explain, and interpret historical change; and understand the past in its own terms.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Historical Perspectives area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:1201 | World Archaeology | 3 |
| ARTH:1010 | Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1050 | From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARTH:1060 | From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ARTH:1070 | Asian Art and Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1090 | Earthly Paradises: A Global History of Gardens | 3 |
| ARTH:2320/CLSA:2226 | Ancient Art from the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Colosseum in Rome | 3 |
| ARTH:2920 | Introduction to American Art | 3 |
| CLSA:1181/GHS:1181 | Ancient Medicine | 3 |
| CLSA:1830 | Greek Civilization | 3 |
| CLSA:1840 | Roman Civilization | 3 |
| CLSA:2444/RELS:2444 | Cities of the Bible | 3 |
| EPLS:4250 | Education In Black America | 3 |
| FREN:3120 | French Civilization | 3 |
| HIST:1010 | History Matters | 3 |
| HIST:1016 | The History That Made Our World | 3 |
| HIST:1101 | The Modern World | 3 |
| HIST:1115/EES:1115/ENVS:1115/GEOG:1115 | The History of Oil | 3 |
| HIST:1261 | American History to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST:1262 | American History 1877-Present | 3 |
| HIST:1401 | The West and the World: Ancient | 3 |
| HIST:1402 | The West and the World: Medieval | 3 |
| HIST:1403 | The West and the World: Modern | 3 |
| HIST:1601/ASIA:1601 | Civilizations of Asia: China from Origins to the 17th Century | 3 |
| HIST:1602/ASIA:1602 | Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present | 3 |
| HIST:1604/ASIA:1604 | Civilizations of Asia: Japan | 3-4 |
| HIST:1606/ASIA:1606/RELS:1606 | Civilizations of Asia: South Asia | 3-4 |
| HIST:1607/ASIA:1607 | Civilizations of Asia: Korea | 3-4 |
| HIST:2461/CLSA:2461/RELS:2361 | Middle East and Mediterranean: Alexander to Suleiman | 3 |
| ITAL:2550 | Images of Modern Italy | 3-4 |
| JMC:1200 | Introduction to Media and Culture | 3 |
| MUS:1303 | Roots, Rock, and Rap: A History of Popular Music | 3 |
| MUS:2301 | History of Western Music I | 3 |
| MUS:2302 | History of Western Music II | 3 |
| PHIL:1033 | The Meaning of Life | 3 |
| PHIL:1034 | Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness | 3 |
| RELS:1001 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
| RELS:1225/HIST:1025 | Medieval Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:1250/HIST:1050 | Modern Religion and Culture | 3 |
| RELS:2930/COMM:2079 | Digital Media and Religion | 3 |
| RUSS:1531 | Slavic Folklore | 3 |
| RUSS:1532 | Traces of Ancient Russian Culture (IX-XVII Centuries): Vikings, Mongols, and Tsars | 3 |
| RUSS:2110 | Russian Sports: Politics, Scandal, Glory | 3 |
| THTR:1400 | Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns | 3 |
| THTR:1401 | Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels | 3 |
| THTR:2410 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
| THTR:2411 | History of Theatre and Drama II | 3 |
| UICB:2190/ENGL:2901/HIST:2190 | The Book in Global History | 3 |
International and Global Issues
Courses in the International and Global Issues area focus predominantly on countries or issues outside the United States, encouraging students to understand contemporary issues from an international perspective. Students develop knowledge of one or more contemporary global or international issues, gain a greater awareness of varied international perspectives, and improve their skills of analysis and critical inquiry.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the International and Global Issues area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH:2100 | Anthropology and Contemporary World Problems | 3 |
| ANTH:2136 | Race, Place, and Power: Urban Anthropology | 3 |
| ARTH:1040 | Arts of Africa | 3 |
| CPH:2200 | Climageddon: Understanding Climate Change and Associated Impacts on Health | 3 |
| FREN:1006 | Global Sports and National Cultures | 3 |
| FREN:1510 | Cultural Misunderstandings: France and U.S.A. | 3 |
| GEOG:1070 | Contemporary Environmental Issues | 3 |
| GEOG:1090 | Globalization and Geographic Diversity | 3 |
| GEOG:2910 | The Global Economy | 3 |
| GHS:2000/ANTH:2103 | Introduction to Global Health Studies | 3 |
| GRMN:2720/HIST:2420 | Germany in the World | 3-4 |
| GWSS:1046/ANTH:1046/GEOG:1046/SJUS:1046 | Environmental Politics in India | 3 |
| HIST:1016 | The History That Made Our World | 3 |
| HIST:1403 | The West and the World: Modern | 3 |
| HIST:1602/ASIA:1602 | Civilizations of Asia: China from the 17th Century to the Present | 3 |
| HIST:1604/ASIA:1604 | Civilizations of Asia: Japan | 3-4 |
| HIST:1606/ASIA:1606/RELS:1606 | Civilizations of Asia: South Asia | 3-4 |
| HIST:1607/ASIA:1607 | Civilizations of Asia: Korea | 3-4 |
| IS:2000 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| IS:2560 | Global Food Migrations | 3 |
| ITAL:2770 | The Mafia and the Movies | 3 |
| LING:1040/ANTH:1040 | Language Rights | 3 |
| POLI:1400 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1401 | Introduction to Russian Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1449 | Introduction to European Politics | 3 |
| POLI:1500 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLI:1510 | International Politics of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| POLI:2415/LAS:2415 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| POLI:2500 | Politics of Natural Disasters | 3 |
| RELS:1130/HIST:1030 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
| RELS:2852/GWSS:2052 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
| RUSS:1132 | Russia Today | 3 |
| RELS:2955/IS:2955 | Human Rights and Islam | 3 |
| RUSS:2050/WLLC:2050 | Women from an Unknown Land: The Fight for Independence | 3 |
| SPST:2170 | Sport and Globalization | 3 |
Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
Courses in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area provide students with opportunities to appreciate the arts and to analyze them within their historical and theoretical contexts. They also help students develop the analytic, expressive, and imaginative abilities necessary for understanding, appreciating, and creating art.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM:1240/MUS:1740 | The Art of Listening to Jazz | 3 |
| AMST:1800 | American Gothic: Film, Literature, and Popular Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1010 | Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1020 | Masterpieces: Art in Historical and Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| ARTH:1030 | Themes in Global Art | 3 |
| ARTH:1040 | Arts of Africa | 3 |
| ARTH:1050 | From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I | 3 |
| ARTH:1060 | From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II | 3 |
| ARTH:1070 | Asian Art and Culture | 3 |
| ARTH:1095/NAIS:1095 | Native American Art | 3 |
| ARTH:2920 | Introduction to American Art | 3 |
| ARTS:1010 | Elements of Art | 3 |
| ARTS:1030 | Elements of Jewelry and Metal Arts | 3 |
| ARTS:1050 | Elements of Printmaking | 3 |
| ARTS:1080 | Elements of Sculpture | 3 |
| CERM:2010 | Ceramics I: Handbuilding | 3 |
| CHIN:1702 | Chinese Popular Culture | 3 |
| CINE:1100 | The Art of Smartphone Filmmaking | 3 |
| CINE:1602 | Introduction to Film Studies | 3 |
| CINE:1610 | Contemporary Cinema | 3 |
| CLSA:1010 | Hero, God, Mortal: Literature of Greece | 3 |
| CLSA:1020 | Love and Glory: The Literature of Rome | 3 |
| CLSA:1740/WRIT:1740 | Writing Strategies: Word Origins and Word Choice | 3 |
| CLSA:1809 | Ancient World on the Modern Screen | 3 |
| CLSA:2016 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
| CNW:1620 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| CW:1800 | Creative Writing Studio Workshop | 3 |
| DANC:1010 | Beginning Tap | 3 |
| DANC:1020 | Beginning Jazz | 3 |
| DANC:1025 | Beginning Hip Hop Dance | 3 |
| DANC:1030 | Beginning Ballet | 3 |
| DANC:1040 | Beginning Modern Dance | 3 |
| DANC:1110 | Continuing Tap | 3 |
| DANC:1120 | Continuing Jazz | 3 |
| DANC:1125 | Continuing Hip Hop Dance | 3 |
| DANC:1130 | Continuing Ballet | 3 |
| DANC:1140 | Continuing Modern Dance | 3 |
| DANC:2020 | Intermediate Jazz | 3 |
| DANC:2025 | Intermediate Hip Hop Dance | 3 |
| DANC:2060 | Dance and Society in Global Contexts | 3 |
| EDTL:2122 | Creativity, Imagination, Play, and Human Development through the Arts | 3 |
| ENGL:1100 | City of Literature | 3 |
| FREN:4100 | French Cinema | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2275 | Scandinavian Crime Fiction | 3 |
| GRMN:2630 | German Cinema: Greatest Hits | 3-4 |
| GRMN:2666/WLLC:2666 | Pact with the Devil | 3 |
| GRMN:2785 | Cyborgs, Monsters, and the Uncanny | 3 |
| HONR:2992 | Classic Cult Cinema | 3 |
| ITAL:2440 | Italian Arts for International Success | 3 |
| LATS:1700/SPAN:1700 | Latina/o/x Literature in the United States | 3 |
| MUS:1001 | Group Piano I: Non-Music Majors | 1 |
| MUS:1009 | Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad | 3 |
| MUS:1012 | Creativity in Music | 3 |
| MUS:1020 | Performance Instruction for Nonmajors | 1 |
| MUS:1066 | Introduction to Film Music | 3 |
| MUS:1301 | Concepts and Contexts of Western Music | 3 |
| MUS:1302 | Great Musicians | 3 |
| MUS:1310 | World Music | 3 |
| MUS:1720 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUS:1800 | World of the Beatles | 3 |
| MUS:2005 | Issues in Popular Music: Women Who Rock | 3 |
| MUS:2301 | History of Western Music I | 3 |
| MUS:2302 | History of Western Music II | 3 |
| MUS:2311/LAS:2311 | Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| PORT:2850/LAS:2850/SPAN:2850 | Brazilian Narrative in Translation | 3 |
| SCLP:2810 | Undergraduate Sculpture I | 3 |
| TDSN:2210 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
| THTR:1140 | Basic Acting | 3 |
| THTR:1400 | Theatre and Society: Ancients and Moderns | 3 |
| THTR:1401 | Theatre and Society: Romantics and Rebels | 3 |
| THTR:1412/DANC:1412 | The Arts in Performance | 3 |
| THTR:2301 | Playwriting I | 3 |
| THTR:2410 | History of Theatre and Drama I | 3 |
| THTR:2411 | History of Theatre and Drama II | 3 |
| TRNS:1240/CLSA:1040 | World Literature in Translation I | 3 |
| TRNS:1241 | World Literature: 1700 to Present | 3 |
| UICB:2110 | Introduction to Book Arts | 3 |
Values and Culture
Courses in the Values and Culture area focus on how culture shapes the human experience and the role of values in society, with students asking fundamental questions regarding the human experience while exploring their own values and beliefs.
All students must complete at least 3 s.h. of coursework in the Values and Culture area. The following courses are approved for the area.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AMST:1010 | Understanding American Cultures | 3 |
| AMST:1049/HIST:1049/NAIS:1049 | Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| AMST:1154 | Food in America | 3 |
| AMST:2000 | Introduction to American Studies | 3 |
| ANTH:1101/IS:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ARTH:1030 | Themes in Global Art | 3 |
| ARTH:1045 | Race and Art in America | 3 |
| ARTH:1095/NAIS:1095 | Native American Art | 3 |
| ARTS:2000/ASP:2000/EDTL:2000/RHET:2000 | Big Ideas: Creativity for a Lifetime | 3 |
| ASIA:1502/RELS:1502/SOAS:1502 | Asian Humanities: India | 3 |
| ASIA:1609/HIST:1609 | India Now! Surveying the World's Largest Democracy | 3-4 |
| ASIA:2450 | India Beat: The Aesthetics and Politics of India Today | 3 |
| CHIN:1504 | China Beyond Walls | 3 |
| CHIN:1800 | Chinese Calligraphy and Culture | 3 |
| CLSA:1340 | Magic in the Ancient World | 3 |
| CLSA:1454 | Hebrew Bible for Everyone | 3 |
| CLSA:1455 | New Testament for Everyone | 3 |
| CLSA:1875 | Ancient Sports and Leisure | 3 |
| CLSA:2016 | Classical Mythology | 3 |
| CLSA:2482/RELS:2182 | Ancient Mediterranean Religions | 3 |
| CLSA:2651/GWSS:2651 | Gender and Sexuality in the Ancient World | 3 |
| COMM:1174 | Media and Society | 3 |
| DANC:1150/LAS:1150 | Brazilian Culture and Carnival | 3 |
| EPLS:4180 | Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher | 3 |
| GHS:2100/GWSS:2100 | Foundations of Health Humanities | 3 |
| GRMN:2618/WLLC:2618 | Film and Literature of the Holocaust | 3 |
| GWSS:1060/AMST:1060/ENGL:1410 | Sex and Popular Culture in America | 3 |
| HHP:2200 | Physical Activity and Health | 3 |
| HIST:1708 | Civilizations of Africa | 3 |
| HONR:1670 | Values and Culture | 3 |
| ITAL:2550 | Images of Modern Italy | 3 |
| ITAL:2880 | Italian Food Culture | 3 |
| JMC:1500 | Introduction to Social Media | 3 |
| JMC:1800 | Twenty-first-Century Science: Environmental Communication in the Digital Age | 3 |
| JPNS:1506 | Ghostly Japan | 3 |
| LATS:1700/SPAN:1700 | Latina/o/x Literature in the United States | 3 |
| LING:2900 | Language and Gender | 3 |
| MUS:1009 | Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad | 3 |
| MUS:1720 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUS:2311/LAS:2311 | Music of Latin America and the Caribbean | 3 |
| PHIL:1401 | Matters of Life and Death | 3 |
| PHIL:1861 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL:2402 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| POLI:1300 | Introduction to Political Thought and Action | 3 |
| RELS:1070 | Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | 3 |
| RELS:1080 | Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| RELS:1130/HIST:1030 | Introduction to Islamic Civilization | 3 |
| RELS:1350/AFAM:1250 | Introduction to African American Religions | 3 |
| RELS:1404/ASIA:1040/HIST:1610 | Introduction to Asian Religions | 3 |
| RELS:1506/ASIA:1060/HIST:1612 | Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
| RELS:1702 | Religion in America Today | 3 |
| RELS:1810 | Happiness in a Difficult World | 3 |
| RELS:1903 | Quest for Human Destiny | 3 |
| RELS:2852/GWSS:2052 | Women in Islam and the Middle East | 3 |
| RELS:2986 | Religion and Women | 3 |
| RHET:2070 | Persuasive Stories | 3 |
| RUSS:1082 | Youth Subcultures After Socialism | 3 |
| RUSS:1131/WLLC:1131 | Introduction to Russian Culture | 3 |
| RUSS:1132 | Russia Today | 3 |
| RUSS:1531 | Slavic Folklore | 3 |
| RUSS:1532 | Traces of Ancient Russian Culture (IX-XVII Centuries): Vikings, Mongols, and Tsars | 3 |
| RUSS:2100 | Russian Mindset: Sex, Business, and Politics | 3 |
| SOC:1310/GWSS:1310 | Gender and Society | 3 |
| SOC:2710 | The American Family | 3 |
| SOC:2810 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SPAN:2901 | Diversity and Cultures in Spain | 3 |
| SRM:1070 | Recreation and Parks in the United States: Foundations and Impact | 3 |
| SSW:1022/SOC:1022 | Social Justice and Social Welfare in the United States | 3 |
| THTR:1411 | Comedy and Society | 3 |
| THTR:1412/DANC:1412 | The Arts in Performance | 3 |
Because religion and religious traditions impact every aspect of culture and society, a major in religious studies can prepare students for many different career paths while at the same time enhancing the quality of their everyday lives and interactions with others. Most employers look for employees who have some experience with different cultures, are comfortable interacting with people from various religious backgrounds, have curious, open, and creative minds, and collaborate well with others, all of which are fostered through the academic study of the world's religions. Religious studies majors also develop strong speaking and writing skills that prepare them for advancement into leadership positions.
Majors have gone on to careers in media and communication, social work, nursing, public health, government, and nonprofit organizations. They also have pursued advanced degrees in the humanities, social sciences, law, and medical professions.
Students should contact the Department of Religious Studies to learn how the BA with a major in religious studies can benefit them.
The Pomerantz Career Center also offers many resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Four-Year Graduation Plan
The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the university's Four-Year Graduation Plan.
Before the fifth semester begins: one or two courses in the major.
Before the seventh semester begins: three to six courses in the major and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree.
Before the eighth semester begins: five to seven courses in the major.
During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Religious Studies, BA
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| GE CLAS Core: Sustainability a | ||
| Students may count up to 56 s.h. of coursework from the Religious Studies Department (prefix RELS) toward credit required for the Bachelor of Arts degree. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major: core area course b, c | 3 | |
| RHET:1030 or ENGL:1200 |
Rhetoric or The Interpretation of Literature |
3 - 4 |
| GE CLAS Core: Understanding Cultural Perspectives d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Values and Society d | 3 | |
| CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 2 |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major: core area course b, c | 3 | |
| RHET:1030 or ENGL:1200 |
Rhetoric or The Interpretation of Literature |
3 - 4 |
| GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences with Lab d | 4 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences d | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 2 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major: core area course b, c | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Quantitative or Formal Reasoning d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major: core area course b, c | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: International and Global Issues d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major: core area course b, c | 3 | |
| Major: religious studies course g | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences without Lab d | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major: religious studies course g | 3 | |
| Major: religious studies course g | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course f | 4 - 5 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major: religious studies course g | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives d | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major: religious studies course g | 3 | |
| GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts d | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Elective course e | 3 | |
| Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) h | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 123-129 | |
- a
- Sustainability must be completed by choosing a course that has been approved for Sustainability AND for one of these General Education areas: Natural Sciences; Quantitative and Formal Reasoning; Social Sciences; Historical Perspectives; International and Global Issues; Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts; or Values and Society.
- b
- Students select courses from at least three out of the five core areas in Religious Studies for a total of 15 s.h. toward the major. The core areas include: social justice, equity, inclusion, and religion; religion in history; religion in global context; religion, values, and culture; and special topics and current events. See General Catalog for list of approved courses in each area.
- c
- Fulfills a major requirement and may fulfill a GE requirement.
- d
- GE CLAS Core courses may be completed in any order unless used as a prerequisite for another course. Students should consult with an advisor about the best sequencing of courses.
- e
- Students may use elective courses to earn credit towards the total s.h. required for graduation or to complete a double major, minors, or certificates.
- f
- Students who have completed four levels of a single language or two levels of two different languages in high school or college have satisfied the GE CLAS Core World Languages requirement. Students who have completed three levels of a single language may complete a fourth-level course in the same language or may choose an approved World Language and Cultural Exploration course. Enrollment in world languages courses requires a placement exam, unless enrolling in a first-semester-level course. Contact your academic advisor or CLAS Undergraduate Programs Office with questions concerning the World Languages requirement.
- g
- See General Catalog for list of approved courses.
- h
- Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Degree Services.