The religion program at Kentucky Wesleyan seeks to cultivate an appreciation of religious diversity by familiarizing students with the development, beliefs, and practices of multiple religious traditions. Through the religion program, students employ interdisciplinary resources in order to recognize and engage in the function of religion in history, society, and culture. Students may approach this study with a diversity of religious commitments. Because the heritage of Kentucky Wesleyan College is Methodist, we recognize that many of our students come from Christian traditions, and we offer many courses in Christianity and a minor in Christian Ministries. At the same time, as a program in a liberal arts setting, the religion program at Kentucky Wesleyan encourages critical thinking and conversation about faith commitments.
A course of study in religion develops the skills necessary to analyze and explain arguments about religion and religious positions as well as the skills to construct and present an argument. With these skills, students are prepared to be informed citizens in a world of religious diversity as well as to pursue a career in many fields including non-profit work, journalism, business, and ministry.
Offerings include a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Minor in Religion. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Religions is available through Online Degree Education.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop familiarity with the broad phenomenon of religion and the history, beliefs, and practices of multiple religious traditions.
- Interpret the role and influence of religion in history, society, and culture.
- Identify and assess the moral and spiritual dimensions of being human.
- Collaborate with community organizations in order to recognize the role of religious and moral commitments in society.
- Prepare students for further study which may involve graduate study in the humanities or a professional degree. Such preparation includes the ability to analyze and construct arguments and communicate effectively in writing, conversation, and presentation.
Bachelor of Arts Degree
42 Semester Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- REL 100 – Introduction to Religion (3)
- REL 102 – Survey of Christian Traditions (3)
Must take fifteen (15) semester credit hours from the following.
- REL 300 – Topics in Religion (3)
- REL 303 – The Bible in Its Context (3)
- REL 340 – Topics in Comparative Religion (3)
- REL 343 – Abrahamic Faiths (3)
- REL 344 – Eastern Religious Traditions (3)
- REL 365 – Selected Old Testament Writings (3)
- REL 366 – Selected New Testament Writings (3)
- REL 377 – The Bible and Literature (3)
- REL 381 – Topics in Religion and Society (3)
- REL 400 – Religion Research (3)
Must take nine (9) semester credit hours from the following.
- PHIL 100 – Introduction to Philosophy (3)
- PHIL 300 – Topics in Philosophy (1-3)
- PHIL 301 – Introduction to Ethics (3)
- PHIL 302 – Critical and Logical Thinking (3)
- PHIL 395 – History of Philosophy I: Classical and Medieval Philosophy (3)
- PHIL 396 – History of Philosophy II: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (3)
- PHIL 400 – Philosophy Research (1-3)
Supporting Requirements
Six (6) hours of social science courses, beyond the General Education requirement.
Six (6) hours of language requirement. Normally, the language requirement will be fulfilled by six (6) hours of modern language or six (6) hours of a biblical language (Greek or Hebrew), but the requirement may be fulfilled by completing six (6) hours of a modern language (intermediate proficiency) or through CLEP test credit.
Recommended Courses (Not Required)
- REL 251 – Biblical Greek I (3)
- REL 252 – Biblical Greek II (3)
- REL 261 – Biblical Hebrew I (3)
- REL 262 – Biblical Hebrew II (3)
Sample Four-Year Plan for B.A. in Religion
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hrs. | Spring Semester | Hrs. |
| ENGL 111 | 3 | CL 101 | 1 |
| General Education Course (HIST) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| KW 101 | 0 | ENGL 112 | 3 |
| General Education Course (MATH) | 3 | EXSC 101 | 3 |
| REL 100 | 3 | General Education Course (Social Science) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | REL 102 | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | Total Semester Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hrs. | Spring Semester | Hrs. |
| General Education Course (Literature) | 3 | Elective (REL) | 3 |
| Elective (REL) | 3 | General Education Course (Nat. Science w/lab) | 4 |
| General Education Course (Social Science) | 3 | General Education Course (Aesthetics) | 3 |
| Elective (PHIL) | 3 | Elective (Social Science) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | Total Semester Hours | 16 |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hrs. | Spring Semester | Hrs. |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective (REL) | 3 | Elective (PHIL) | 3 |
| Elective (Social Science) | 3 | Elective (REL) | 3 |
| General Education Course (Nat. Science no/lab) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| REL 251/261 or Modern Language | 3 | REL 252/262 or Modern Language | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | Total Semester Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hrs. | Spring Semester | Hrs. |
| Elective (PHIL) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective (REL) | 3 | Elective (UL) | 3 |
| Elective (UL) | 3 | Elective (UL) | 3 |
| Elective (UL) | 3 | Elective (UL) | 3 |
| Elective (UL) | 3 | Elective (UL) | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | Total Semester Hours | 15 |
| Total Program Hours | 122 | ||
At least one course taken above must be multi-cultural or a separate multi-cultural course is required. Religion major students are encouraged to take HIST 315, Renaissance and Reformation and ENGL 377, The Bible and Literature.
Need to indicate when to take the extra 6 hours of social science that is in addition to the 6 hours of social science required for general education.
Religion Minor
18 Semester Credit Hours
Requirements for a Religion Minor
- Students must take 15 hours of REL.
- Students must take three (3) hours of PHIL.