Religious Studies Major

The religious studies program provides students with the opportunity to examine religious texts and practices through an interdisciplinary lens. While some of our courses—particularly those which are cross-listed with the theology department—examine the religious traditions themselves, Religious studies students have a chance to look at how religious traditions have affected the arts, literature, and politics. While religious studies majors and minors may choose to focus on the Christian tradition, they may also decide to delve more deeply into the religious texts and traditions of Judaism, Islam, and other faiths.

Students who have been part of our program have also majored or minored in fields such as dance, theater, classics, philosophy, English, modern languages, history, and anthropology. Since many of our courses are cross-listed with other departments, it is possible to double major or minor in religious studies while majoring in another department. Our graduates have gone on to have careers in numerous exciting fields.

Because of the program's diversity and flexibility, students have the chance to work closely with our faculty and create a program that is both highly individualized and demanding. Students are required to check in with a faculty advisor regularly to make sure that they are both fulfilling the university's and the department's requirements and getting the most out of the unique opportunities which Fordham and New York City provide for young scholars. Ultimately, a religious studies major or minor at Fordham University will prepare you well to meet the challenges posed by the current and future complexities of our world where religion often takes center stage.


CIP Code

38.0201 - Religion/Religious Studies.


You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

The major consists of 10 courses:

Course Title Credits
THEO 1000Faith and Critical Reason3
One course in religious text 1
One course in Theology, Ethics, or Social Teachings
One course in The History of a Religion
One course in Religion in Culture, Society, or The Political Order
One core values seminar related to religious studies
Select any four electives from the religious studies program offerings 2
1

Any course with the THEO subject code (numbered 3000 to 3999) fulfills this requirement.

2

Any course with the THEO subject code (numbered 2000 or higher) or the REST attribute code may fulfill this requirement.

Theology, Ethics, or Social Teachings

Courses in this group have the RSTE attribute.

Course Title Credits
AFAM 3115Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X4
MLAL 3077The Great Russian Minds: Russian Personalism4
MVST 4010Medieval Franciscans and the Dream of a Just Economy4
PHIL 3330Philosophy of Religion4
THEO 3670Theology and Contemporary Science4
THEO 3720Hindu Literature and Ethics3
THEO 3725Buddhism in America: A Multimedia Investigation3

The History of a Religion

Courses in this group have the RSHR attribute.

Course Title Credits
ANTH 2619Magic, Science, and Religion4
HIST 3270The Crusades4
HIST 3322The Reformation Era4
HIST 3982The Islamic World and the Crusades, 1099-Ca.17004
MVST 4010Medieval Franciscans and the Dream of a Just Economy4
PHIL 3557Confessions of Augustine4
THEO 3300Who Cares About the Bible?3
THEO 3542Catholic Social Teaching3
THEO 3876Muslims in America4
THEO 3885Women, Gender, and Islam3

Religion in Culture, Society, or the Political Order

Courses in this group have the RSCS attribute.

Course Title Credits
ANTH 2619Magic, Science, and Religion4
ENGL 3103Early English Drama4
ENGL 3207Milton4
HIST 5460Jesuits and Globalization4
MEST 3620Islam in America4
THEO 3130Bible as Migration Literature: Then and Now4
THEO 3383Latin American Liberation Theologies3
THEO 3670Theology and Contemporary Science4
THEO 3720Hindu Literature and Ethics3
THEO 3725Buddhism in America: A Multimedia Investigation3

Note: Among the additional courses and electives, at least one must have as a major focus a religion or religions other than Christianity. Students may double-count two approved religious studies courses toward the religious studies major and toward a second major, as long as at least 18 different courses are taken to complete both majors.

Availability

The major in religious studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.

Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.