Major in Religion

All majors are encouraged to pursue both depth and breadth by constructing a program of study in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The program should include some study in a breadth of religious traditions, time periods, or methodological focus. Students who write a senior thesis may include a term of individually supervised research as one of the courses for their major. 

Students should refer to the Religion Major Checklist for the requirements and policies.

Courses

For the major the following 9 courses are required:

• 1 gateway course (1000 level)
• 2 introductory courses (2000 level)
• 2 intermediate courses (3000 level)
• 2 seminars (4000 level)
• 1 additional course at any level
• RELI UN3199 Theory (Columbia students should plan to take Theory through the Columbia Religion Department, offered every Fall Semester)

Students majoring in Religion at Columbia are expected to take their RELI UN3199 Theory requirement at Columbia (offered every fall). For the remaining eight courses, any course listed as RELI offered at Columbia or Barnard may be counted toward the Major in Religion. There is no limitation on how many Religion courses taken at Barnard can be counted toward the Major in Religion at Columbia.
Requests for counting courses taken in other departments and programs toward fulfilling Department of Religion requirements are reviewed and granted by the DUS on a case-by-case basis.