Bachelor of Science in Religion

American Military University

Home | Login

Graduate Catalog | Undergraduate Catalog | Certificates | Student Learning

Bachelor of Arts in Religion

>> Return to APUS Catalog | Bachelor's

The Bachelor of Arts in Religion is a social science degree. Students in this program examine eastern and western religions, both historical and contemporary. They study the cultural, political, and spiritual aspects of religion while being exposed to the theological tenets of religious thought. Graduates of this program are inclined toward professions that include aspects of human services and pastoral assistance.

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and general education level learning objectives, the Bachelor of Arts in Religion also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of religion, graduates in this degree program will be able to:

Define the term “religion” and identify religion’s influence throughout society.
Identify and summarize the universal and unique forms of religious expression such as sacred places, symbols, ethics, and rituals.
Describe the concepts that comprise a religious worldview such as the creation of the world, good and evil, salvation, and the meaning of suffering.
Discuss the various political, social, and other forms of religious life that are evident in different societies.
Synthesize knowledge of the cultural, social, scientific and religious aspects of society.
Appreciate the role that faith can play in a balanced worldview.

Degree Program Requirements

RQ295 / COL 100 Foundations of Online Learning (fomerly Academic and Career Planning) (3 semester hours) - Required as the first course in all undergraduate programs.

General Education Requirements (34 semester hours)
English Composition - 6 semester hours
EN101 / ENG 101 - Proficiency in Writing (Required)
EN102 / ENG 102 - Effectiveness in Writing or
EN202 / ENG 200 - English Composition and Literature

Social Sciences - 6 semester hours
SS101 / ECO 101 - Microeconomics
SS102 / ECO 102 - Macroeconomics
SS111 / GEO 101 - Introduction to Geography
SS133 / SOC 111 - Introduction to Sociology
SS134 / PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology
SS190 / ANT 100 - Introduction to Anthropology
SS210 / CFD 220 - Human Sexuality
SO220 / SOC 220 - American Popular Culture

Science - 4 semester hours including required 1 hour labs
SC100 / SCI 100 - Introduction to Biology
SC198 / SCI 100 L - Introduction to Biology Lab
SC101 / SCI 110 - Introduction to Chemistry
SC199 / SCI 110 L - Introduction to Chemistry Lab
SC102 / SCI 102 - Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology
SC122 / SCI 102 L - Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab
SC103 / SCI 103 - Introduction to Physics
SC123 / SCI 103 L - Introduction to Physics Lab
SC104 / SCI 104 - Introduction to Astronomy
SC124 / SCI 104 L - Introduction to Astronomy Lab
SC106 / SCI 106 - Introduction to Oceanography
SC126 / SCI 106 L - Introduction to Oceanography Lab
SC107 / SCI 107 - Introduction to Meteorology
SC127 / SCI 107 L - Introduction to Meteorology Lab

Mathematics - 3 semester hours
MA110 / MA112 / MAT 110 - Introduction to College Algebra and Trigonometry / College Algebra, or
MA111 / MA113 / MAT 111 College Algebra and Trigonometry / College Trigonometry, or
MA125 / MAT 125 - Math for Liberal Arts Majors, or
MA225 / MAT 225 - Calculus

History - 6 semester hours
HS101 / HIS101 - American History to 1877
HS102 / HIS 102 - American History since 1877
HS111 / HIS 111 - World Civilization I
HS112 / HIS 112 - World Civilization II
HS121 / HIS 121 - Western Civilization Before The Thirty Years War
HS122 / HIS 122 - Western Civilization Since Thirty Years War
HS215 / HIS 223 - History of the American Indian
HS217 / HIS 221 - African-American History before 1877
HS218 / HIS 222 - African-American History since 1877

Humanities - 3 semester hours
HM101 / SPA 100 - Spanish I
HM102 / SPA 101 - Spanish II (Prerequisite: HM101) - or other foreign language
HM200 / MUS 200 - Music Appreciation
HM230 / REL 201 - Introduction to World Religions
HM240 / ART 200 - Art Appreciation
HM277 / PHI 200 - Introduction to Ethics
PH101 / PHI 101 - Introduction to Philosophy

Literature - 3 semester hours
HM201 / LIT 220 - American Literature before the Civil War
HM202 / LIT 221 - American Literature from Civil War to Present
HM221 / LIT 210 - English Literature: Beowulf to 18th Century
HM222 / LIT 211 - English Literature: 18th Century to Present
HM211 / LIT 201 - World Lit through the Renaissance
HM212 / LIT 202 - World Lit since the Renaissance

Political Science - 3 semester hours
SS121 / POL 210 - American Government I
SS131 / INR 210 - International Relations

Core Courses (24 semester hours)
RQ300 / COL 300 - Research, Analysis, and Writing
PH410 / PHI 410 - God and World
RE310 / REL 101 - The Study of Religion / Introduction to the Study of Religion
PH405 / REL 305 - Myth and Ritual
RE411 / REL 411 - Religious Existentialism
RE451 / REL 412 - Religious Fundamentalism
SO411 / SOC 420 - Sociology of Religion
HM230 / REL 201 - Introduction to World Religions

Major Courses (18 semester hours)
Students must take six (6) major courses from those listed below.
RE311 / REL 211 - Introduction to the Old Testament
RE312 / REL 212 - Introduction to the New Testament
RE316 / RE317 / REL 311 - The Bible in Context / Introduction to the Bible
RE314 / REL 314 - Catholicism and the Modern World
RE428 / REL 316 - The Contemporary Lutheran Church
RE388 / REL 321 - Black Religion in America
RE350 / REL 350 - Hinduism
RE351 / REL 351 - Buddhism
RE352 / REL 352 - Muhammad
RE422 / REL 422 - The Teachings of Jesus
RE431 / REL 431 - Islamic Law and Theology
RE441 / REL 441 - Modern and Contemporary Judaism
RE452 / REL 452 - Religious Cults
RE460 / REL 460 - The Mormon Church in America

Capstone Course (3 semester hours)
RE498 / REL 498 - Senior Seminar in Religion
Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all core and major courses prior to enrollment.

Electives (39 semester hours)
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill core or major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Total = 121 semester hours

>> Return to APUS Catalog | Bachelor's

AMU is a member institution of the American Public University System (APUS), which is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission, Distance Education and Training Council.
© 2008 American Military University | 111 W. Congress Street, Charles Town, WV 25414 | Toll Free: 1-877-755-2787
News | Alumni | Investor Relations | Campus Store | Privacy Policy | Employment | Contact Us | APUS Home