Religious Studies Major

Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.

NOTE: This Catalog describes Weinberg College BA requirements that pertain to students who matriculated at Northwestern after spring quarter 2023. Refer to the Archives if you are following BA requirements described in the 2018-2019 through 2022-2023 editions.

Major Requirements (12 units)

  • 1 introductory course:  RELIGION 170-0 Introduction to the Study of Religion or RELIGION 172-0 Introduction to Religion, Media, and Culture.
  • RELIGION 395-0 Theories of Religion
  • For global study of religion concentration
    • 10 additional religion courses (up to 2 religion-related courses from outside the department may be counted toward the major with prior approval of the department adviser).
  • For concentrations in religion, health, and medicine; religion, law, and politics; or religion, sexuality, and gender
    • 8 additional courses in the department, including at least 3 approved for the chosen concentration (please check with department adviser)
    • 2 courses outside the department, approved by the department adviser:

First-Year Seminars, College Seminars, and First-Year Writing Seminars do not count toward the major.

Honors in Religious Studies

Majors with strong academic records and an interest in pursuing honors should notify the undergraduate honors coordinator in writing by the end of spring quarter of junior year.  Students become eligible for departmental honors by writing a senior thesis in addition to completing the 12 courses required for the major. The thesis is usually accomplished by enrolling in RELIGION 396-1 Senior Seminar during fall quarter of senior year and RELIGION 396-2 Senior Seminar during winter quarter of senior year. These courses do not count toward the major. In years when the seminar cannot run for whatever reason, students work with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to schedule independent studies and/or participation in another department's thesis-writing workshop during the senior year. More details on the Senior Thesis Honors Program page.

Students whose theses and grades meet department criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information consult the undergraduate honors coordinator and see Honors in the Major.