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Course Requirements


Sample Four-Year Plan

Special attention should be given to the numerical ordering of the courses listed below:

  1. Courses numbered below 100 offer general introductions to religion: Belief and Unbelief, Eastern Religions, Western Religions.
  2. Courses numbered 100-199 are introductory courses focused on specific traditions: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Chinese Religions.
  3. Courses numbered 200-299 are topical courses especially suitable for sophomore level and above.
  4. Courses numbered 300-399 are advanced courses with prerequisites.

The following represents one of many paths students can take to complete a major in religion.  A grade of “C” (2.0) or higher must be earned in all courses counted toward a major in religion.

Note that students typically take four courses per semester for a total of eight each year. Check the Coe catalog to review all of your options.

First Year

  • REL-010 Introduction to Religion
  • REL-036 Eastern Religions
  • REL-048 Western Religions

Second Year 

  • REL-105 Introduction to Hebrew Bible
  • REL-116 Buddhism

Third Year

  • REL-206 Buddhist Thought
  • REL-215 The Rise of Christianity

Fourth Year

  • REL-310 Early Christian Gospels
  • REL-338 Modern Religious Thought
  • REL-365 The Letters of Paul