- Only one three-point “Guided Readings and Research” course may be counted for departmental credit. Students interested in writing a senior thesis are encouraged to reserve this course for their thesis research.
- Courses may not be counted to fulfill the requirements of more than one department.
- Courses may be counted to fulfill both departmental requirements and the Columbia College Major Cultures requirement or the School of General Studies Cultural Diversity requirement
- Students may not use both Barnard courses V2801 (Intro to Western Religions) and V2802 (Intro to Asian Religions) to satisfy the requirement for 2000-level courses.
Degree Requirements
Students are encouraged to declare their major/concentration by the end of the sophomore year or the beginning of their junior year. Prospective majors should first arrange to meet with the director of undergraduate studies. Those students interested in applying for the honors track should see the appropriate section below.
For a Major in Religion
Program of Study:
All majors are encouraged to pursue both depth and breadth by constructing a program of study in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies and with a member of the faculty in an area in which they have particular interest. The program should include courses in both western and Asian religious traditions. Students who write a senior thesis may include a term of individually supervised research as one of the courses for their major.
Courses:
For the major a minimum of 36 points is required:
-
2 Introductory courses to religious traditions(2000 level).
- 4 Intermediate Religion courses (3000 level).
- 2 Advanced courses (4000 level, including one seminar).
- 2 Related courses in other departments (must be approved by DUS).
- RELI V3799 Juniors’ Colloquium (4 points).
Concentration
Program of Study: To be planned in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies and with a member of the faculty in an area in which the student has a particular interest. The program should include some study in both western and Asian religious traditions.
Courses:
For the concentration a minimum of 23 points is required:
-
2 Introductory courses to religious traditions (2000 level).
- 2 Intermediate Religion courses (3000 level).
- 1 Advanced seminar (4000 level).
- 1 Related course in another department (must be approved by DUS).
- RELI V3799 Juniors’ Colloquium (4 points).
Pre-Medical Concentration
Program of Study:
To be planned in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies and with a member of the faculty in an area in which the student has a particular interest. The program should include some study in both western and Asian religious traditions.
Courses:
For the concentration a minimum of 16 points is required:
- 2 Introductory courses to religious traditions (2000 level).
- 2 Introductory courses to religious traditions (2000 level).
- RELI V3799 Juniors’ Colloquium (4 points).
Senior Thesis and Departmental Honors
Majors in the Religion Department are encouraged, but not required, to write a thesis in their final year of study. Many students choose to write a senior thesis in order to pursue an advanced topic in greater depth or to work on a particular area of interest with a professor of their choosing. This opportunity is available to all students who major in the department, regardless of grade-point average, and serves for many as the capstone experience of their undergraduate career.
If you are interested in writing a thesis, you must submit an application to the Director of Undergraduate Studies no later than the spring of your junior year (an application form is found toward the back of this Handbook). The application must include both a prospectus for the paper and a letter of support by a religion faculty member who will direct the thesis. The prospectus (5–7 pages) should detail a research program and the central question or questions to be pursued in the paper, your preparation for pursuing this thesis, and a proposed timeline. The primary advisor of the thesis must be a member of the Religion Department faculty. Students approved to write a thesis should register for Religion V3901, with their thesis advisor.
Every student who receives the mark of “distinction” on her or his senior thesis and who maintains a departmental grade-point average of 3.66 or above will be considered for departmental honors. Writing a senior thesis qualifies you for consideration for departmental honors but does not assure it. In most years, only 10 percent of majors receive departmental honors.
