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Religious Studies, Minor

The Minor in Religious Studies

Professor Allyson Creasman, Faculty Advisor, History Department
Location: Baker Hall 242D, 412-268-9832, acreasman@cmu.edu

Dr. Alexandra Garnhart-Bushakra, Academic Program Manager, History Department
Location: Baker Hall 240G, 412-268-1260, agarnhar@andrew.cmu.edu

Ms. Beth Jameson, M.A., Academic Advisor and Humanities Coordinator, History Department
Location: Baker Hall 240A, 412-268-5666, bjameson@andrew.cmu.edu

https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/history/undergraduate/minors/index.html

Overview

The Minor in Religious Studies introduces students to several academic and intellectual approaches to understanding religion as a social, cultural, and historical phenomenon. Students may study the philosophy of religion, sociological and behavioral approaches to religion, historical analyses of religious subjects and actors, literary and critical analysis of religious texts, and anthropological treatments of religious practice. The minor enables students to apply intellectual tools from across disciplinary boundaries to diverse religious traditions.

Curriculum

The minor consists of six courses, totaling at least 54 units. Courses taken to fulfill requirements in other major or minor programs may only be applied to this minor with permission of the Faculty Advisor. Religious Studies minors must satisfy the requirements listed below:

Minor in Religious Studies54 units

Required Core Course9 units

All Religious Studies minors are required to take 79-281 Introduction to Religion. This required course introduces several modes of inquiry into religion, such as the philosophy of religion, sociological and behavioral approaches to religion, historical analysis of religious subject, literary and critical analysis of religious texts, theological modes of thought, and anthropological treatments of religion. This course is offered regularly, usually in the Spring semester.

Units
79-281Introduction to Religion9
Distribution Requirements18 units

In addition to the required Core Course, students must complete Distribution Courses totaling 18 units (usually two 9-unit courses). A Distribution Course is one that applies a particular discipline to more than one religion. 

Some examples of qualifying Distribution Courses that have been offered recently are listed below. Please note that this list is not exclusive; other relevant courses not listed here may qualify with the Faculty Advisor's permission.

Historical Approaches
79-106Introduction to Asian Religions6
79-110Introduction to the Medieval Mediterranean World9
79-150Medieval Science, Magic, and Wonders of Nature9
79-208Witchcraft and Witch-Hunting9
79-272Coexistence and Conflict: Muslims, Christians and Jews in Spain and Portugal9
79-273Jews & Arabs: From the Time of Muhammad to the Present9
79-342Age of Crusading, 1000-20009
79-352Christianity Divided: The Protestant and Catholic Reformations, 1450-16509
79-392Europe and the Islamic World9
Philosophical Approaches
80-276Philosophy of Religion9
Textual Approaches
82-215Minorities in the Middle East and North Africa9

In addition to the courses listed above, participating departments often offer other courses that may qualify as Distribution Courses for the minor. The Faculty Advisor should be consulted to identity qualifying courses (especially after the Schedule of Courses for a given semester becomes available).

Elective Courses27 units

In addition to the required Core Course and the Distribution Courses, students must complete Elective Courses totaling at least 27 units (usually three 9-unit courses). Unlike Distribution Courses, an Elective Course may focus on the study of only one religion (although courses examining more than one religious tradition can also count as Elective Courses if not otherwise used to fulfill the Distribution Requirement).

Some examples of qualifying Elective Courses that have been offered recently are listed below. Please note that this list is not exclusive; other relevant courses, whether those offered through the History Department or other participating programs, not listed here may qualify as Elective Courses for the minor with the Faculty Advisor's permission.  Professor Allyson Creasman should be consulted to identify qualifying courses (especially after the Schedule of Courses for a given semester becomes available).

79-115Introduction to Jewish Studies9
79-121Introduction to Islam6
79-124History of Indian Yoga and Meditation6
79-159Hinduism: History, Religion, and the BJP6
79-202Flesh and Spirit: Early Modern Europe, 1400-17509
79-228Buddhism and Modernity6
79-241The Holocaust: What You Should Know and Why9
79-270Anti-Semitism Then and Now: Perspectives from the Middle Ages to the Present9
79-284Muslim Representation in the Media and Popular Culture9
79-296Religion in American Politics6
79-349The Holocaust in History and Culture9
79-350Early Christianity9
79-375Science & Religion6
79-393Institutions of the Roman Church9

In addition to courses offered at CMU, relevant courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, or other Pittsburgh-based institutions may count toward the Elective Requirement with the permission of the Religious Studies minor’s Faculty Advisor.  The option to cross-register for relevant courses at other local institutions allows students some flexibility in meeting the minor’s requirements and gives them the opportunity to explore interests in religious subjects that might not otherwise be covered at CMU.  Students who wish to cross-register for courses at other institutions should consult with the Faculty Advisor about whether the selected course(s) will meet the minor’s Elective Requirement.

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