Academic Programs – Religious Studies /religiousstudies/academics/ UW-Milwaukee Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:05:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Religious Studies, BA /religiousstudies/academics/religious-studies-ba/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:18:18 +0000 /religiousstudies/?post_type=program&p=8840 The post Religious Studies, BA appeared first on Religious Studies.

]]>

Religious Studies, BA
Major

Admissions to the Religious Studies BA will be suspended effective Fall 2026 (updated April 2026)

Religious studies is an interdisciplinary major that draws on courses from multiple departments to give students a broad understanding of the historical, cultural and philosophical principles of the world's religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Classical Greek and Roman religions, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, African and Native-American religions. These diverse belief systems are studied not just for their influence over past generations but also to better understand their role in modern issues.

Religious Studies is not just for students planning to go on to become a priest, rabbi or minister. The program provides excellent preparation for all careers that require critical thinking, logic, analysis and writing skills. Because of the breadth of the subject matter, students graduate with a global perspective, an appreciation for different viewpoints and substantive knowledge about ethics and core belief systems of the past and present.

51 students in Religious Studies take courses in history, anthropology, philosophy, political science, classics, art history, literature, and more. Many students also complement their major with studies in the foreign language since many religions have traditions and foundations in another language.

Students will also find a very active student organization - the Religious Studies Student Organization. The group brings in speakers and engages with the local community on scholarly topics of interest.

Double Major

It often is possible to complete a double major in Religious Studies and another subject. This is the case particularly when a student already has undertaken the major in the other field but has credits in religion courses as well. The student often can take courses that count for both Religious Studies and the other major. Interested students should consult with the Program Director.

Cost and Financial Aid

Career Resources and Job Outcomes

Program Type

Major

Program Format

On Campus

Request Information
Loading…
Start Your Application Declare a Major

Listed below are the requirements for the Religious Studies major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages. 

Religious Studies Major Requirements

The religious studies major requires completion of at least 33 credits, including at least 18 in upper-division courses (numbered 300 and above) of which at least 15 must be taken in residence at 51. In satisfying these requirements, students must select courses from at least three different curricular areas. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted at 51. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. The required 33 credits must be distributed as follows:

Core
Recommended
The following is recommended:
Introduction to World Religions
Required Methods
Select one of the following:3
Seminar in the Study of Religion: Theories of Religion (or equivalent)
Methods and Theory in the Historical Study of Religion: (or equivalent)
Required Capstone Experience 1
Select one of the following research options:3
Seminar in History: (with research conducted on a religion-related topic)
For students with additional major(s), upper-level research seminar in the additional major that focuses on a religion-related topic
A 3-credit independent study on a religion-related topic
Senior thesis in another program/department on a religion-related topic
Research paper focused on a religion-related topic as approved by the director
Electives
Select 27 credits (see below)27
Total Credits33
1

In all cases, the religious studies director must approve the topic to satisfy the research requirement. Majors are required to file the appropriate research/capstone approval form prior to completion of their research/capstone course.

Electives

All majors are required to complete at least 27 additional credits beyond the core courses. Nine elective credits must be distributed among three different religious traditions. A religious tradition course must focus primarily (more than 50%) on one specific religion. Twelve of these 27 credits must be numbered 300 or above. 

African Religious Thought and Social Organizations (Indigenous religions)3
The Church in African-American Life (Christianity)3
Anishinaabe Ethnobotany: Plants in Anishinaabe Philosophy3
Vampires: From Slavic Village to Hollywood (Indigenous religions)3
Indigenous Religions (Indigenous religions)3
The Celtic World3
American Indian Societies and Cultures (Indigenous religions)3
Peoples and Cultures of South Asia3
Anthropological Theories of Religion3
Cross-Cultural Study of Religion3
Religious Giving in Anthropological Perspective3
Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East (Islam)3
Islam: Religion and Culture (Islam)3
Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture3
Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture3
African, New World and Oceanic Art and Architecture3
Asian Art and Architecture3
Northern Renaissance Art3
Introduction to Baroque Art3
Introduction to the Art and Architecture of Latin America3
Survey of Italian Renaissance Painting and Sculpture3
Pre-Columbian Art, Myth, and Legacy (Indigenous religions)3
Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art3
Minoan and Mycenaean Art and Archaeology3
Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East3
Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt (Indigenous religions)3
Roman Art and Archaeology (Indigenous religions)3
Age of Apocalypse: Western European Art after the First Millennium3
Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture (Christianity)3
Early Medieval Art in the West3
Chivalry and Spirituality: French Gothic Art and Architecture3
Caliphs, Emirs, & Kings: Art & Architecture of Medieval Spain (Islam)3
High Renaissance Art in Italy3
African Art (Indigenous religions)3
Art of the Inca and their Ancestors (Indigenous religions)3
Art of Ancient Mexico and Central America (Indigenous religions)3
Art of the Aztec Empire (Indigenous religions)3
Chinese Painting3
Chinese Art and Architecture3
Japanese Art and Architecture3
Art, Ritual, and Ethnicity of China3
Buddhist Art and Architecture (Buddhism)3
Cities and Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece (Indigenous religions)3
Renaissance Architecture in Italy3
Maya Art (Indigenous religions)3
Celtic Crossings: Overview of the History and Cultures of the Celtic World3
Classical Mythology (Indigenous religions)3
Introduction to Greek Life and Literature3
Introduction to Roman Life and Literature3
Ancient Egyptian Civilization (Indigenous religions)3
The Life and Literature of Classical Athens: Herodotus and Dramatists3
War and Politics in Ancient Greece3
The Life and Literature of the Roman Empire3
Ancient Greek Religion (Indigenous religions)3
Hittite Myth and History (Indigenous religions)3
Egyptian Mythology (Indigenous religions)3
Literature and Religion:3
Milton (Christianity)3
Muslim Geographies: Identities and Politics (Islam)3
Rethinking Global Security3
Third-Semester Hebrew (Judaism)4
Fourth-Semester Hebrew (Judaism)4
Modern Hebrew Literature I in Hebrew (Judaism)3
Modern Hebrew Literature II in Hebrew (Judaism)3
World History to 15003
East Asian Civilization to 16003
The Ancient World: The Near East and Greece (Buddhism)3
The Ancient World: The Roman Republic and Empire3
Ancient Egyptian Civilization (Indigenous religions)3
Islamic Civilization: The Formative Period, ca. 500-1258 (Islam)3
The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries3
Buddhism Across Asia (Buddhism)3
A History of Greek Civilization: The Greek City-State3
A History of Greek Civilization: The Age of Alexander the Great (Indigenous religions)3
A History of Rome: The Republic (Indigenous religions)3
A History of Rome: The Empire (Indigenous religions)3
Medieval Civilization: The High Middle Ages3
The Era of the Crusades (Christianity)3
The Roman Catholic Church, 1500 to the Present (Christianity)3
The Papacy in History (Christianity)3
The Jews of Modern Europe: History and Culture3
The Holocaust: Anti-Semitism & the Fate of Jewish People in Europe, 1933-453
Topics in the History of Religious Thought:3
Introduction to Jewish History3
Buddhism: A Cultural History (Buddhism)3
Africans in World History: Communities, Cultures, and Ideas3
History of Mexico3
History of Religion in American Life to 18703
History of Religion in American Life Since 18703
God at the Movies: American Religion in Fiction and Film3
Methods and Theory in the Historical Study of Religion:3
Dante's Divine Comedy in Translation (Christianity)3
Introduction to Judaism (Judaism)3
Jewish Culture in America: History, Literature, Film (Judaism)3
Bible Stories (Judaism)3
Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (Judaism)3
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible (Judaism)3
Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images (Judaism)3
Topics in Biblical Literature:3
Women in the Bible (Judaism)3
The Jews of Modern Europe: History and Culture (Judaism)3
Jewish and Christian Responses to the Holocaust (Judaism)3
Introduction to Jewish History (Judaism)3
Old Testament Texts:3
Modern Jewish Thought (Judaism)3
Readings in Latin Literature:3
Introduction to Asian Religions3
Religion and Science3
God, Faith and Reason3
Buddhist Philosophy (Buddhism)3
Introduction to the Comparative Study of Religion3
History of Medieval Philosophy (Christianity)3
Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism (Islam)3
Contemporary Religious Thought:3
Special Topics in Indian Religious Thought:3
Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics3
Russian and Slavic Folklore3

Relevant language courses above the second semester will be counted as electives toward the Religious Studies major with approval of the coordinator. Students can take up to 10 credit hours of foreign language beyond the second semester if the language chosen is related to their future goals or research interests. Again, the use of such language courses as electives requires approval of the coordinator.

Optional Concentration

Religious Studies majors have the option of focusing their programs of studies on one or more religious traditions. To discuss this option, please contact Program Director David Divalerio at divaleri@uwm.edu.

Letters & Science Advising

During your time at 51, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.

College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:

  • Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
  • Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
  • Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
  • Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
  • Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.

Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:

  • Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department. 
  • Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
  • Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.

Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video. 

Currently enrolled students should use the  to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Get Advising
  • Currently enrolled majors with questions about general degree requirements? Make an appointment with your assigned Letters & Science College Advisor through or email your advisor.
  • Currently enrolled majors with questions about the major specifically? Email your faculty advisor or the department directly.
  • Currently enrolled 51 students not yet in the College of Letters & Science? Email ls-advising@uwm.edu.
  • Haven’t started classes yet at 51? Email our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu.
Letters & Science Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements for the major (in the ܾ𳾱Գٲtab of this page), students must fulfill a number of other requirements. Students must take a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. These can be thought of as falling into one of three "buckets:" major, general requirements, and electives, which is where a minor could fall. Many classes fall into more than one bucket at the same time. This is why it is important to talk to your advisor, so you can take advantage of those double-counting opportunities.

For more details and a visual guide to the content in each bucket, review our L&S requirements page.

We encourage you to begin exploring career options when you declare your major or at the start of your sophomore year, whichever comes first.  

Career Resources & Job Outcomes
Contact

Prospective Undergraduate Students (not yet enrolled at 51)

Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.eduǰ414-229-7711.

Current Undergraduate Students

General questions such as how to declare, how to change a major, general education requirements, etc. should be directed to the college advising office at ls-advising@uwm.eduǰ414-229-4654.

Specific questions about Religious Studies, such as research opportunities, internship opportunities, major requirements, etc., should be directed to David DiValerio.

The post Religious Studies, BA appeared first on Religious Studies.

]]> Religious Studies, Minor /religiousstudies/academics/religious-studies-minor/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:25:15 +0000 /religiousstudies/?post_type=program&p=8869 The post Religious Studies, Minor appeared first on Religious Studies.

]]>

Religious Studies, Minor
Minor

Religious studies is an interdisciplinary major or minor that draws on courses from multiple departments to give students a broad understanding of the historical, cultural and philosophical principles of the world's religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Classical Greek and Roman religions, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, African and Native-American religions. These diverse belief systems are studied not just for their influence over past generations but also to better understand their role in modern issues.

Religious Studies is not just for students planning to go on to become a priest, rabbi or minister. The program provides excellent preparation for all careers that require critical thinking, logic, analysis and writing skills. Because of the breadth of the subject matter, students graduate with a global perspective, an appreciation for different viewpoints and substantive knowledge about ethics and core belief systems of the past and present.

51 students in Religious Studies take courses in history, anthropology, philosophy, political science, classics, art history, literature, and more. Many students also complement their major with studies in the foreign language since many religions have traditions and foundations in another language.

Students will also find a very active student organization - the Religious Studies Student Organization. The group brings in speakers and engages with the local community on scholarly topics of interest.

Program Type

Minor

Program Format

On Campus

Request Information
Loading…
Start Your Application Declare a Minor

Requirements

The minor requires 18 credits in approved Religious Studies courses, including at least 9 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits taken in residence at 51. Students may take courses in the Religious Studies curricular area (RELIGST) as well as courses from the approved list below. Students must complete coursework from at least two different curricular areas.

In addition, the minor must include courses dealing with two different religious traditions. ( may not be used in fulfilling this requirement.) The College requires that students earn at least a 2.0 GPA on all 51 courses attempted for the minor. A 2.0 GPA also is required on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. 

To discuss the minor, please contact Program Director David Divalerio at divaleri@uwm.edu.

Approved Religious Studies Content Courses

African Religious Thought and Social Organizations (Indigenous religions)3
The Church in African-American Life (Christianity)3
Anishinaabe Ethnobotany: Plants in Anishinaabe Philosophy3
Vampires: From Slavic Village to Hollywood (Indigenous religions)3
Indigenous Religions (Indigenous religions)3
The Celtic World3
American Indian Societies and Cultures (Indigenous religions)3
Peoples and Cultures of South Asia3
Anthropological Theories of Religion3
Cross-Cultural Study of Religion3
Religious Giving in Anthropological Perspective3
Islam: Religion and Culture (Islam)3
Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East (Islam)3
Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture3
Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture3
African, New World and Oceanic Art and Architecture3
Asian Art and Architecture3
Northern Renaissance Art3
Introduction to Baroque Art3
Introduction to the Art and Architecture of Latin America3
Survey of Italian Renaissance Painting and Sculpture3
Pre-Columbian Art, Myth, and Legacy (Indigenous religions)3
Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art3
Minoan and Mycenaean Art and Archaeology3
Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East3
Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt (Indigenous religions)3
Roman Art and Archaeology (Indigenous religions)3
Age of Apocalypse: Western European Art after the First Millennium3
Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture (Christianity)3
Early Medieval Art in the West3
Chivalry and Spirituality: French Gothic Art and Architecture3
Caliphs, Emirs, & Kings: Art & Architecture of Medieval Spain (Islam)3
High Renaissance Art in Italy3
African Art (Indigenous religions)3
Art of the Inca and their Ancestors (Indigenous religions)3
Art of Ancient Mexico and Central America (Indigenous religions)3
Art of the Aztec Empire (Indigenous religions)3
Chinese Painting3
Chinese Art and Architecture3
Japanese Art and Architecture3
Art, Ritual, and Ethnicity of China3
Buddhist Art and Architecture (Buddhism)3
Cities and Sanctuaries of Ancient Greece (Indigenous religions)3
Renaissance Architecture in Italy3
Maya Art (Indigenous religions)3
Celtic Crossings: Overview of the History and Cultures of the Celtic World3
Classical Mythology (Indigenous religions)3
Introduction to Greek Life and Literature3
Introduction to Roman Life and Literature3
Ancient Egyptian Civilization (Indigenous religions)3
The Life and Literature of Classical Athens: Herodotus and Dramatists3
War and Politics in Ancient Greece3
The Life and Literature of the Roman Empire3
Hittite Myth and History (Indigenous religions)3
Ancient Greek Religion (Indigenous religions)3
Egyptian Mythology (Indigenous religions)3
Literature and Religion:3
Milton (Christianity)3
Muslim Geographies: Identities and Politics (Islam)3
Rethinking Global Security3
Third-Semester Hebrew (Judaism)4
Fourth-Semester Hebrew (Judaism)4
Modern Hebrew Literature I in Hebrew (Judaism)3
Modern Hebrew Literature II in Hebrew (Judaism)3
East Asian Civilization to 16003
World History to 15003
The Ancient World: The Near East and Greece (Buddhism)3
The Ancient World: The Roman Republic and Empire3
Ancient Egyptian Civilization (Indigenous religions)3
Islamic Civilization: The Formative Period, ca. 500-1258 (Islam)3
The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries3
Buddhism Across Asia (Buddhism)3
A History of Greek Civilization: The Greek City-State3
A History of Greek Civilization: The Age of Alexander the Great (Indigenous religions)3
A History of Rome: The Republic (Indigenous religions)3
A History of Rome: The Empire (Indigenous religions)3
Medieval Civilization: The High Middle Ages3
The Era of the Crusades (Christianity)3
The Roman Catholic Church, 1500 to the Present (Christianity)3
The Papacy in History (Christianity)3
The Jews of Modern Europe: History and Culture3
The Holocaust: Anti-Semitism & the Fate of Jewish People in Europe, 1933-453
Topics in the History of Religious Thought:3
Introduction to Jewish History3
Buddhism: A Cultural History (Buddhism)3
Africans in World History: Communities, Cultures, and Ideas3
History of Mexico3
History of Religion in American Life to 18703
History of Religion in American Life Since 18703
God at the Movies: American Religion in Fiction and Film3
Methods and Theory in the Historical Study of Religion:3
Dante's Divine Comedy in Translation (Christianity)3
Introduction to Judaism (Judaism)3
Jewish Culture in America: History, Literature, Film (Judaism)3
Bible Stories (Judaism)3
Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (Judaism)3
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible (Judaism)3
Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images (Judaism)3
Topics in Biblical Literature:3
Women in the Bible (Judaism)3
The Jews of Modern Europe: History and Culture (Judaism)3
Jewish and Christian Responses to the Holocaust (Judaism)3
Introduction to Jewish History (Judaism)3
Old Testament Texts:3
Modern Jewish Thought (Judaism)3
Readings in Latin Literature:3
Introduction to Asian Religions3
Religion and Science3
God, Faith and Reason3
Buddhist Philosophy (Buddhism)3
Introduction to the Comparative Study of Religion3
History of Medieval Philosophy (Christianity)3
Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism (Islam)3
Contemporary Religious Thought:3
Special Topics in Indian Religious Thought:3
Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics3
Russian and Slavic Folklore3

Letters & Science Minor Advising

Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.

Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a 51 college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.

Applicants who have not started classes at 51 yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first 51 classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.
Contact

Prospective Undergraduate Students (not yet enrolled at 51)

Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.eduǰ414-229-7711.

Current Undergraduate Students

General questions such as how to declare, how to change a major, general education requirements, etc. should be directed to the college advising office at ls-advising@uwm.eduǰ414-229-4654.

Specific questions about Religious Studies, such as research opportunities, internship opportunities, major requirements, etc., should be directed to David DiValerio.

The post Religious Studies, Minor appeared first on Religious Studies.

]]>