Topical: Religious Studies
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The History Department’s emphasis in Religious Studies helps students to develop a wide range of writing, thinking, and research skills that prospective employers and professional and graduate school admissions committees will find to be of great value. Some of these skills would include the ability to think critically, a keen sensitivity to cultural diversity, the ability to construct a persuasive, evidence-based argument in clear, grammatically correct English, the ability to solve problems and carry out successfully various research projects, informational literacy--the ability to locate relevant sources of information both in print and online including the ability to make efficient use of a library and its resources, the ability to make explicit the tacit assumptions embedded in a particular argument or world view, and the ability to see the “big picture, i.e., to situate contemporary problems in a wider historical and global perspective.
A graduate from the History Department’s Religious Studies emphasis would be prepared to pursue further graduate work to prepare for a college or university-level career teaching in either the history of religions or religious studies. Students preparing for a career in the ministry would find this program an excellent preparation for seminary study towards a Master of Divinity (MDIV) degree and students considering a career related to faith-based social work would also find this program to be helpful foundation for postgraduate study and future employment in that area. Students preparing for entering into the State Department Foreign Service as diplomats or consular personnel would also find that this program would prepare them well for entry-level employment in that area.
The Religious Studies emphasis would also provide a good liberal arts education for students planning a career in international business and marketing, publishing, journalism, and law and legal services.
INTRODUCTION
Students in the UWL History Department’s topical emphasis in Religious Studies will have an opportunity to study the fascinating phenomenon of religion from a variety of disciplinary perspectives with course offerings in the departments of History, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The Religious Studies emphasis challenges students to question common stereotypes about religion and religious people, to become aware of the multiple roles and functions religion plays in human cultural life, and to both critically scrutinize and empathically understand the rationales that have shaped the wide variety of religious world views, behaviors, and experiences that humans have used in the course of constructing, maintaining, and inhabiting their cultural worlds. In these ways, the Religious Studies emphasis sharpens students’ awareness of and understanding of human cultural diversity and prepares them for responsible global citizenship in a religiously pluralistic world.
What sets apart the three new topical emphases in the History Department including Religious Studies is that faculty will work with students to produce portfolios packaging and showcasing their aptitudes and skills that they develop over the courses of their undergraduate education. These portfolios are where Religious Students will be able to demonstrate their skills in such areas as analytical and critical thinking which are notoriously difficult to measure and assess through means such as standardized testing. Such skills, aptitudes, and abilities will become manifestly palpable and concrete through an examination of these portfolios.
Portfolios will contain the following items: (1) a cover letter introducing the portfolio, (2) a resume or CV, (3) a sample letter of application for a job in your intended field of work or for application to a graduate program of study, (4) samples of your best scholarly research and writing, and (5) letters of support from teachers, professors, employers, and others who have supervised and who are willing to assess students. Because of their importance, all the materials in these portfolios should be backed up in multiple sites, both print and electronic.
Students in the Religious Studies emphasis, especially those planning on going into the ministry or religiously-based social work, are encouraged to consider the option of taking HIS 450, the internship/field experience course that is an option in all three of the topical emphases in the History Department. Students interested in this option will need to apply for and undertake professionally supervised internships with organizations and businesses related to their special areas of interest. For instance, students considering the ministry might find it helpful to work as ministerial interns working under the judicatory or synodal body of their denomination of professional interest.
History Major with Topical Emphasis - Bachelor of Arts (BA)
(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)
40 credits
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core requirements | ||
HIS 200 | Historiography and Historical Methods | 3 |
HIS 490 | History Research Seminar | 4 |
Select nine credits of the following: | 9 | |
Survey of the United States | ||
Survey of Latin American and Latino History | ||
Survey of Ancient and Medieval Worlds | ||
Survey of Modern Europe | ||
Survey of Asia | ||
Survey of the Middle East | ||
Survey of the History of Modern Science | ||
Survey of Modern Africa | ||
Electives (24 credits total) 1 | ||
Topical | 18 | |
Select 18 credits from one emphasis below, with no more than six of those credits coming from outside the HIS department. | ||
Regional/world cultural zones | 6 | |
Select six credits from any of the regional/world cultural zones listed below. | ||
Total Credits | 40 |
1 | The 400-level elective HIS courses have the same workload and expectations as 300-level HIS courses, and are open to all juniors, seniors, and sophomores with appropriate preparation. |
Topical electives:
Select 18 credits from one emphasis below.
Cultural and social history
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Comic Books and History | ||
History of U.S. Science and Technology | ||
Native American History | ||
Peace and War | ||
The Holocaust | ||
Seminar in Twentieth Century America | ||
Civil War and Reconstruction | ||
America in the Cold War | ||
Sugar, Coffee, Rubber, Bananas: Commodities in World History | ||
Gandhi and the World | ||
U.S. Labor History | ||
The American West | ||
Women in South Asia | ||
The Idea of Asia | ||
History Through Film | ||
African Nationalism | ||
Colonial Africa | ||
Migration and Empire: 1200-1900 | ||
Topics in Social History | ||
Government and Society | ||
British Empire | ||
Topics in Cultural History | ||
History Internship/Field Experience | ||
Foundations for Literary and Cultural Studies | ||
Studies in Film and Literature | ||
Gender and Human Rights | ||
Survey of Art History | ||
World Art |
Public and policy history
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Money and Crime | ||
American Environmental History | ||
Exhibition Development and Design I | ||
Seminar in Twentieth Century America | ||
Introduction to Public and Policy History | ||
Public Education in Wisconsin and America | ||
Crime and Punishment in America | ||
Public and Policy History Research | ||
Material Culture | ||
Government and Society | ||
History of Wisconsin State and Local Government | ||
Exhibition Development and Design II | ||
History Internship/Field Experience | ||
Introduction to Public Administration | ||
Public Policy | ||
Health Policy | ||
Environmental Policy | ||
Geographic Information Systems and Science I | ||
Geographic Information System and Science II 2 | ||
Writing for Management, Public Relations and the Professions | ||
Digital Content Writing, Strategy, and Experience Design | ||
Grant Writing 2 | ||
Publishing in a Digital Age 2 | ||
Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing 2 | ||
Cultural Resources Management 2 |
2 | Technical skills courses: Students are encouraged to complete three credits or more from this subset of courses. |
Religious studies
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Modern Christianity | ||
History of Buddhism | ||
History of Hinduism | ||
History of Islam | ||
History of Religions | ||
The Ancient Greek World | ||
Ancient Rome and the Mediterranean | ||
Christianity to 1517 | ||
Maya Civilization | ||
Gandhi and the World | ||
Japanese Religions | ||
Religion and Conflict in Modern South Asia | ||
History Internship/Field Experience | ||
Religion and Society | ||
Rites, Rituals and Ceremonies | ||
Special Topics in Sociology 3 | ||
Metaphysics | ||
Philosophy of Religion | ||
International Multicultural Philosophy | ||
Asian Philosophy | ||
Zen Buddhism |
3 | When appropriately focused. |
Total Credits: 18
Regional/world cultural zones electives
Select six credits from any of the following:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Africa and African Diaspora | ||
African Environmental History | ||
Women and Gender in Africa | ||
African Nationalism | ||
Colonial Africa | ||
Asia | ||
Vietnam War | ||
History of Hinduism | ||
Themes in Chinese History | ||
History of China | ||
Modern South Asia | ||
Gandhi and the World | ||
Imperialism in Asia and the Pacific | ||
Women in South Asia | ||
The Idea of Asia | ||
Modern Japan | ||
Postwar Japan | ||
Japanese Religions | ||
Religion and Conflict in Modern South Asia | ||
Europe | ||
Peace and War | ||
Peoples and Cultures of Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union | ||
The Holocaust | ||
The Ancient Greek World | ||
Ancient Rome and the Mediterranean | ||
Russia and the Soviet Union | ||
The Middle Ages | ||
Twentieth Century Europe | ||
France and the French Empire: 1750-Present | ||
Germany: 1848-1989 | ||
Spain to 1700 | ||
French Revolution | ||
Women, Gender and Sexuality in Modern Europe | ||
World War I | ||
Ireland and the World: 1500-present | ||
Global Fascisms | ||
Latin America | ||
Nineteenth Century Latin America | ||
Twentieth Century Latin America | ||
Latin America: 1450-1830 | ||
U.S.-Latin American Relations | ||
History of Mexico | ||
Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Latin America | ||
Middle East | ||
History of Islam | ||
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | ||
Human Rights and the Middle East | ||
History of Babylonian Language and Culture I | ||
History of Babylonian Language and Culture II | ||
Ancient Turkey | ||
Iran before Islam | ||
Women and Gender in the Middle East | ||
Ancient Syria |
Total Credits: 6
Writing portfolio requirement
To be certified for graduation in the history major with topical emphasis, students must submit and have approved a portfolio of professional writing especially geared towards their intended career path. Students must submit writing portfolios by the middle of the semester in which they intend to graduate. Specific deadlines, item requirements, and submission directions are posted on the department website. The list of required material will be different for each of the emphases. The submitted portfolio may include items of coursework completed during the student's undergraduate career, but might also require the production of additional materials. The materials might include a curriculum vitae or résumé, grant applications, a document written for a public audience, a sample of academic writing, or cover letters for job applications.
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements
The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:
- Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
- Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
- Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
- All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
- At least one course in the B.A. or B.S. college degree program (core requirements) must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
- Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.
Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).
Declare ONE of the following tracks in the CASSH Academic Services Office in 138 Wimberly:
A. Language track
- Native speakers of English complete:
Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: Intermediate Arabic II Chinese Language and Culture in Action II French Language and Cultures in Action II Intermediate Languages II German Language and Cultures in Action II Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced Intermediate Japanese II Russian Language and Cultures in Action II Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II or SPA 221Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions - Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
- One global language course 102 or higher; and
- Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
- One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
- One global language course 102 or higher; and
- Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
- One additional course in social sciences or humanities.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or program option by satisfying one of the following:
- Complete a minor (or second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
- Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
- Complete 18 credits in two or more departments or programs (at least 12 credits earned at the 300/400 level). These courses must be outside the student's major department and can be from any college. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college. (No substitutions for graduation may be made in course requirements for a major or minor after the fourth week of the last semester of the senior year.)
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1 | Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit. |
2 | The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment. |
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
Year 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HIS 110 (Gen Ed World History) | 3 | ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy - Written) | 3 |
Gen Ed Self & Society | 3 | Gen Ed Natural Lab Science | 4 |
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy - Oral) | 3 | HIS Core Course (HIS 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 280, or 285) | 3 |
Gen Ed Math | 4 | Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 |
Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 |
15 | 16 | ||
Year 2 | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HIS 200 | 3 | HIS Core Course (HIS 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 280, or 285) | 3 |
102+ Level Gen Ed/CASSH Core Language1 | 4 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
CASSH Core Course | 3 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
HIS Core Course (HIS 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 280, or 285) | 3 | Gen Ed Health & Well Being | 3 |
Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
16 | 14 | ||
Year 3 | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
Minor Course | 3 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
Regional/World Cultural Zones Course3 | 3 | Regional/World Cultural Zones Course3 | 3 |
University Elective | 3 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Year 4 | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
HIS 490 | 4 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | CASSH Core Diversity Course | 3 |
University Elective | 1 | University Elective | 3 |
14 | 15 | ||
Total Credits: 120 |
1 | CASSH Core Humanities and Fine Arts Tracks require 102+ level language. CASSH Core Language Track requires 202 level language. Students unprepared for 202 level will need to complete prerequisite course work. |
2 | Complete 18 credits from one of the following three emphasis areas (with no more than six of the 18 credits coming from disciplines outside the Department of History): cultural and social history; public and policy history; or religious studies. |
3 | Complete six credits from the following Regional/World Cultural Zones: Africa and African Diaspora, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Middle East. |
A writing portfolio is required.
At least two courses must be designed as writing emphasis.
Sample degree plan for History Major with Topical Emphasis - Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
Year 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HIS 110 (Gen Ed World History) | 3 | ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy - Written) | 3 |
Gen Ed Self & Society | 3 | Gen Ed Natural Lab Science | 4 |
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy - Oral) | 3 | HIS Core Course (HIS 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 280, or 285) | 3 |
Gen Ed Math | 4 | Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 |
Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 | FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 |
15 | 16 | ||
Year 2 | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
HIS 200 | 3 | HIS Core Course (HIS 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 280, or 285) | 3 |
102+ Level Gen Ed/CASSH Core Language1 | 4 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
CASSH Core Course | 3 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
HIS Core Course (HIS 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 280, or 285) | 3 | Gen Ed Health & Well Being | 3 |
Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
16 | 14 | ||
Year 3 | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
Minor Course | 3 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
Regional/World Cultural Zones Course3 | 3 | Regional/World Cultural Zones Course3 | 3 |
University Elective | 3 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
15 | 15 | ||
Year 4 | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
HIS 490 | 4 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | History Topical Emphasis Course2 | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | CASSH Core Diversity Course | 3 |
University Elective | 1 | University Elective | 3 |
14 | 15 | ||
Total Credits: 120 |
1 | CASSH Core Humanities and Fine Arts Tracks require 102+ level language. CASSH Core Language Track requires 202 level language. Students unprepared for 202 level will need to complete prerequisite course work. |
2 | Complete 18 credits from one of the following three emphasis areas (with no more than six of the 18 credits coming from disciplines outside the Department of History): cultural and social history; public and policy history; or religious studies. |
3 | Complete six credits from the following Regional/World Cultural Zones: Africa and African Diaspora, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or Middle East. |
A writing portfolio is required.
At least two courses must be designed as writing emphasis.