Religion

Events at home and abroad show that religion continues to be a powerful force, with both positive and negative consequences. An undergraduate major in religion provides students with the basic tools to understand the diversity of religious phenomena throughout the world in their proper historical, socio-political, psychological, cultural and philosophical contexts.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Students majoring in religion have gone on to work with non-government organizations and religious communities, including pastoral work and administration. Students receive truly interdisciplinary training and many have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in the humanities, social sciences, law, education, journalism and social services. The religion program complements many other programs at the University of Florida, including Latin American studies, sustainability studies, Jewish studies, African studies, and Asian studies.

Coursework for the Major

The program consists of 10 courses, which include at least one in Asian religions, one in Islam and one in Jewish or Christian scripture. In addition, all majors must complete a junior seminar on methods and theories in the study of religion and a comparative East-West capstone seminar.

The 10 courses (30 credits) for the undergraduate major in religion must be completed with minimum grades of C. These courses must be taken from the introductory, intermediate and advanced levels of the religion curriculum and they must expose the student to both eastern and western thought.

Required Coursework

• One course in Asian religion, 3 credits: REL 2315 Religion in Asia, REL 2341 Introduction to Buddhism, REL 3318 Chinese Religions, REL 3330 Religions of India, REL 3333 Gods, Sages and Kings: Mythology, REL 3335 Hindu Sacred Text / Social-Ritual Context, REL 3336 Religion in Modern India, REL 3344 Chinese Buddhism, REL 4337 Women in Hindu Tradition, REL 4345 Chan/Zen Buddhism or REL 4349 Buddhist Meditation.
• One course in Islam, 3 credits: ​REL 2362 Introduction to Islam, REL 3371 Islam in Africa, REL 4361 Women and Islam, REL 4367 The History of Islam in the Modern World, or REL 4393 Islam in the Americas
• One course in Jewish or Christian scripture, 3 credits: REL 2210 Hebrew Scriptures, REL 2240 New Testament, REL 3213 Hebrew Bible as Literature, REL 3231 The Book of Job, REL 3234 Wisdom in the Hebrew Bible, REL 3249 The Christian Gospels, REL 3252 Acts, Paul and Early Christianity, REL 4221 The Pentateuch, or REL 4293 Special Topics in Biblical Studies.
• REL 3931 Junior Seminar (during the junior year), 3 credits
• Three 4000-level courses, at least one of which must be the comparative study course REL 4933, 9 credits.
• Majors cannot count more than three introductory courses (2000-level, 9 credits) toward the 30 credits.
• No more than three courses (9 credits) can be in approved cognate courses from other departments.
• No more than four courses (12 credits) can be transferred from another institution.
• Every two semesters all majors must consult the undergraduate advisor.

There are no prerequisites for 2000-level courses. Detailed descriptions of current and prospective courses are available in 107 Anderson Hall and from faculty members before registration.

Overseas Studies

The department encourages study abroad. Overseas Studies, within the UF International Center (UFIC), offers the opportunity to study in a wide range of academic and cultural settings. The office coordinates 32 semester and yearlong programs and 28 summer programs in 24 countries. Study abroad programs satisfy the general education international and diversity requirements and also may fulfill requirements for a major or minor, as well as basic distribution area requirements and UF summer residency. Interested students should contact the UF International Center in 170 Hub or the undergraduate coordinator.

Critical Tracking

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 1 religion course
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete 1 additional religion course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete 1 additional religion course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Model Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Related Religion Programs

• Combined Degree
• Religion minor
• Religious Ethics minor