Religious Studies Major
The religious studies program provides students with the opportunity to examine religious texts and practices through an interdisciplinary lens. While some of our courses—particularly those which are cross-listed with the theology department—examine the religious traditions themselves, Religious studies students have a chance to look at how religious traditions have affected the arts, literature, and politics. While religious studies majors and minors may choose to focus on the Christian tradition, they may also decide to delve more deeply into the religious texts and traditions of Judaism, Islam, and other faiths.
Students who have been part of our program have also majored or minored in fields such as dance, theater, classics, philosophy, English, languages and cultures, history, and anthropology. Since many of our courses are cross-listed with other departments, it is possible to double major or minor in religious studies while majoring in another department. Our graduates have gone on to have careers in numerous exciting fields.
Because of the program's diversity and flexibility, students have the chance to work closely with our faculty and create a program that is both highly individualized and demanding. Students are required to check in with a faculty advisor regularly to make sure that they are both fulfilling the university's and the department's requirements and getting the most out of the unique opportunities which Fordham and New York City provide for young scholars. Ultimately, a religious studies major or minor at Fordham University will prepare you well to meet the challenges posed by the current and future complexities of our world where religion often takes center stage.
CIP Code
38.0201 - Religion/Religious Studies.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
The major consists of 10 courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 1000 | Faith and Critical Reason | 3 |
| One course in religious text 1 | ||
| One course in Theology, Ethics, or Social Teachings | ||
| One course in The History of a Religion | ||
| One course in Religion in Culture, Society, or The Political Order | ||
| One core values seminar related to religious studies | ||
| Select any four electives from the religious studies program offerings 2 | ||
- 1
Any course with the THEO subject code (numbered 3000 to 3999) fulfills this requirement.
- 2
Any course with the THEO subject code (numbered 2000 or higher) or the REST attribute code may fulfill this requirement.
Theology, Ethics, or Social Teachings
Courses in this group have the RSTE attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFAM 3115 | Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X | 4 |
| LACU 3077 | The Great Russian Minds: Russian Personalism | 4 |
| MVST 4010 | Medieval Franciscans and the Dream of a Just Economy | 4 |
| PHIL 3330 | Philosophy of Religion | 4 |
| THEO 3670 | Theology and Contemporary Science | 4 |
| THEO 3720 | Hindu Literature and Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 3725 | Buddhism in America: A Multimedia Investigation | 3 |
The History of a Religion
Courses in this group have the RSHR attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 2619 | Magic, Science, and Religion | 4 |
| HIST 3270 | The Crusades | 4 |
| HIST 3322 | The Reformation Era | 4 |
| HIST 3982 | The Islamic World and the Crusades, 1099-Ca.1700 | 4 |
| MVST 4010 | Medieval Franciscans and the Dream of a Just Economy | 4 |
| PHIL 3557 | Confessions of Augustine | 4 |
| THEO 3300 | Who Cares About the Bible? | 3 |
| THEO 3542 | Catholic Social Teaching | 3 |
| THEO 3876 | Muslims in America | 4 |
| THEO 3885 | Women, Gender, and Islam | 3 |
Religion in Culture, Society, or the Political Order
Courses in this group have the RSCS attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 2619 | Magic, Science, and Religion | 4 |
| ENGL 3103 | Early English Drama | 4 |
| ENGL 3207 | Milton | 4 |
| HIST 5460 | Jesuits and Globalization | 4 |
| MEST 3620 | Islam in America | 4 |
| THEO 3130 | Bible as Migration Literature: Then and Now | 4 |
| THEO 3383 | Latin American Liberation Theologies | 3 |
| THEO 3670 | Theology and Contemporary Science | 4 |
| THEO 3720 | Hindu Literature and Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 3725 | Buddhism in America: A Multimedia Investigation | 3 |
Note: Among the additional courses and electives, at least one must have as a major focus a religion or religions other than Christianity. Students may double-count two approved religious studies courses toward the religious studies major and toward a second major, as long as at least 18 different courses are taken to complete both majors.
Availability
The major in religious studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.