The interdisciplinary minor in Religious Studies draws upon six disciplines in its courses to address religious issues from their varying perspectives, enabling students to gain a genuinely broad understanding of the subject. Double-counting of coursework in concert with students’ majors and other minors is permitted by the minor in Religious Studies.
Total Semester Hours: 18
Required Courses (6 Semester Hours):
PHI 3600
Philosophy of Religion. (3 credits)
RLS 1200
Introduction to Religious Studies. (3 credits)
(or聽RLS 1290G)
Elective Courses (12 Semester Hours from two or more disciplines):
ANT 3606
The Anthropology of Religion. (3 credits)
CMN 3240
Religion in the American Public Sphere. (3 credits)
EIU 4155
The European Witchhunts. (3 credits)
ENG 2603
Greek and Roman Mythology. (3 credits)
ENG 3009
Myth and Culture. (3 credits)
(or ENG 3099G)
ENG 3100
Cultural Foundations I. (3 credits)
ENG 3110
Cultural Foundations II. (3 credits)
ENG 3600
The Bible as Literature. (3 credits)
HIS 1500
Roots of the Modern World: Society and Religion. (3 credits)
(or HIS 1590G)
HIS 3175
History of Christianity. (3 credits)
HIS 3200
Islamic History: From Origins to the 14th Century. (3 credits)
HIS 3700
Turning Points in the History of Religion and Science. (3 credits)
(or HIS 3790G)
HIS 4785
Crusade and Jihad: Religious Violence in the Islamo-Christian Tradition. (3 credits)
HIS 4800
The Renaissance and Reformation. (3 credits)
PHI 2010
Eastern Philosophies. (3 credits)
PHI 3100
Cultural Foundations I. (3 credits)
PHI 3110
Cultural Foundations II. (3 credits)
PHI 3220
Medieval Philosophy. (3 credits)
PHI 3310
Indian Philosophy. (3 credits)
PHI 3320
Chinese Philosophy. (3 credits)
PHI 3680
Buddhism. (3 credits)
PLS 3773
Religion & Politics in the U.S. (3 credits)
RLS 3900
Special Topics in Religious Studies. (3 credits)
In addition:
Courses such as ANT 3960A-Z, ENG 3604A-E, PHI 3980, HIS 4775 and other "special topics" or similar courses with variable content may be counted towards fulfilling the elective requirement for the minor with approval by the Chair of the Religious Studies Minor committee.
Students may earn up to 9 semester hours of course credit in the minor through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) by portfolio. PLA evaluates the college-level knowledge and skills an individual has gained outside of the classroom, and determines if and how the knowledge and skills acquired translates to specific college-level courses. PLA awards credit for LEARNING, not just for experience or time "on the job". Students who wish to earn course credit through PLA must consult with the Chair of the Religious Studies Minor, and follow the minor's approved process.
Information sourced from the 2026-2027 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.
