Nov 24, 2024

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Religious Studies (15)

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Certificate of Undergraduate Study

Coordinator: Shane Sharp, Department of Sociology

This certificate is designed to provide students with an understanding of the interdisciplinary academic study of religious phenomena from around the globe. It is recommended for all students interested in examining the religious belief systems of the world as well as issues associated with the patterns, correlates, and explanations of religious beliefs and practices. The certificate program is open to all NIU undergraduates. Students must maintain good academic standing in the university and complete all certificate course work within six calendar years.

All students attempting to obtain a Religious Studies certificate must take ILAS 170, World Religions. ILAS 170 is the core course in the certificate; ideally it should be taken prior to registering for other course work in the certificate. A working knowledge of the beliefs and practices of major world religions will help students succeed in upper-level courses in the certificate program.

In addition to taking ILAS 170, students must take at least one (1) course from the following main areas: 1) Humanistic Study of Religion, 2) Social Scientific Study of Religion, and 3) Artistic Study of Religion. The other course to fulfill the requirement for the certificate will be at the discretion of the student. Students will be required to take at least one course in all three areas so that they will be exposed to the interdisciplinary nature of the field of Religious Studies and because this reflects the course requirements for Religious Studies majors at other accredited colleges and universities.

General Study of Religion

ILAS 170 - World Religions Credits: 3

Humanistic Study of Religion

Students take at least one of the following:

ENGL 340 - The Bible as Literature Credits: 3
Available for general education credit.
ENGL 409 - Milton Credits: 3
ENGL 409 is a writing infused course.
FLCL 271 - Classical Mythology Credits: 3
Available for general education credit.
This is a creativity and critical analysis general education course for the Origins and Influences Pathway.
HIST 140 - Asia to 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 140 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
Available for general education credit.
This is a creativity and critical analysis general education course for the Global Connections Pathway.
HIST 319 - The Early Islamic World Credits: 3
HIST 340 - Ancient India Credits: 3
HIST 340 is a writing infused course.
HIST 340 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 342 - History of Southeast Asia to ca. 1800 Credits: 3
HIST 344 - History of Ancient China Credits: 3
HIST 348 - African History to 1600 Credits: 3
HIST 348 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 370 - Introduction to American Indian History Credits: 3
HIST 370 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 414 - European Wars of Religion, 1520-1660 Credits: 3
HIST 414 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 421 - The Catholic and Protestant Reformations Credits: 3
HIST 440 - Islam and Colonialism in Africa Credits: 3
HIST 440 is a writing infused course.
HIST 440 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 442 - History of Buddhist Southeast Asia Credits: 3
HIST 442 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 443 - History of Islamic Southeast Asia Credits: 3
PHIL 370 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3

Social Scientific Study of Religion

Must take at least one of the following:

ANTH 304 - Muslim Cultures in Anthropological Perspective Credits: 3
ANTH 328 - Anthropology of Religion Credits: 3
ANTH 428 - Ritual and Myth Credits: 3
POLS 358 - Religion and the Constitution Credits: 3
POLS 378 - Political Islam Credits: 3
POLS 378 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
SOCI 355 - Sociology of Religion Credits: 3

Artistic Study of Religion

Must take at least one of the following:

ARTH 310 - Studies in Ancient and Middle-Eastern Art Credits: 3
ARTH 310 is a writing infused course.
Available for general education credit.
This is a society and culture general education course for the Origins and Influences Pathway.
ARTH 320 - Studies in Medieval Art Credits: 3
ARTH 320 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 330 - Studies in Early Modern European Art Credits: 3
ARTH 330 is a writing infused course.
Available for general education credit.
This is a society and culture general education course for the Origins and Influences Pathway.
ARTH 370 - Studies in Asian Art Credits: 3
ARTH 370 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 380 - Studies in African, Oceanian, Native American, Pre-Columbian Art, and Latin-American Art Credits: 3
ARTH 380 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 451 - Topics in Ancient and Middle-Eastern Art Credits: 3
ARTH 451 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 452 - Topics in Medieval Art Credits: 3
ARTH 452 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 453 - Topics in Early Modern European Art Credits: 3
ARTH 453 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 457 - Topics in Asian Art Credits: 3
ARTH 457 is a writing infused course.
ARTH 458 - Topics in African, Oceanian, Native American, Pre-Columbian, and Latin-American Art Credits: 3
ARTH 458 is a writing infused course.