Courses: In each term students normally will take two courses offered by the department.

Senior Independent Work:

Every senior will prepare a 70-90 page thesis under the supervision of a faculty adviser. The departmental representative in consultation with the chair of the department will assign advisors.

At the end of the year, students will take an oral examination concerning their senior independent work, focus of study, and work in the department generally.

Those students considering graduate work in religion are strongly advised to develop a reading knowledge of languages most appropriate to their focus of study, for example, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, German, and French.

It is strongly suggested that independent work take place within the context of your Tradition or Theme within the major. This is particularly important regarding the thesis. The processes, goals, and expectations of Independent Work in the Department of Religion are detailed in the Religion Independent Work Guidelines.