Minor in Religion

GW’s non-sectarian Religion program examines various faiths and their impact on contemporary society. As a student, you will learn about topics from the abstract to the concrete—gaining a holistic view of religion that combines scholarly and religious ideals in a comprehensive understanding of faith. Areas of study include biblical literature, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, ethics, the sociology of religion, contemporary movements in theology, and religion in American culture. Our graduates have careers within a variety of fields, including positions as caseworkers, child welfare workers, church administrators, community services directors, counselors, ministers, rabbis, missionaries, Peace Corps workers, and nonprofit administrators.

Visit the program website for additional information.

For more information on the admission process, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications may be submitted via the Common Application.
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st Street NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20052
Contact for questions:
gwadm@gwu.edu or 202-994-6040

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 18 credits in elective courses, of which no more than 9 credits may be taken in any one of the major religious traditions listed below:

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 18 credits in REL courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
At least two courses must be taken at the 3000 level; REL 3901 is strongly recommended.
At least one course must focus on Abrahamic religions and one course on non-Abrahamic religions, selected from the lists below.
Remaining courses are selected in consultation with the advisor.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Abrahamic religions
REL 1009	The Hebrew Scriptures
REL 1010	The New Testament
or REL 1010W	The New Testament
REL 2165	The Gospels
REL 2169	Lost Gospels
REL 2201	Judaism
REL 2211	Rabbinic Thought and Literature
REL 2301	Christianity
REL 2401	Islam
REL 2981	Women in Western Religion
REL 3141	Second Temple/Hellenistic Judaism
REL 3151	The Historical Jesus
or REL 3151W	The Historical Jesus
REL 3221	Issues in Jewish Ethics
REL 3291	Modern Jewish Thought
REL 3310	Apocalypse and Social Change
REL 3321	Christian Ethics and Modern Society
REL 3342	Medieval Faith and Symbolism
REL 3343	Religion in the Renaissance and Reformation
REL 3405	Shi'ite Islam
REL 3414	Islamic Philosophy and Theology
REL 3419	Islamic Civilization and the West
REL 3425	Islamic Political Thought
REL 3431	Sufism/Islamic Mysticism
REL 3432	Persian Sufi Literature East and West
REL 3475	Islamic Religion and Art
REL 3481	Women in Islam
REL 3482	Gender and Piety in Islam
REL 3666	The Book of Revelation and Other Apocalypses
REL 3701	Religion in the United States
REL 3711	Religion in Contemporary America
or REL 3711W	Religion in Contemporary America
REL 3915	Islam and Hinduism in South Asia
REL 3923	Violence and Peace in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Non-Abrahamic religions
REL 2501	Hinduism
REL 2562	Mythologies of India
REL 2601	Buddhism
REL 2802	Introduction to Chinese Religions
REL 2811	Confucian Literature in East Asia
REL 2814	Religion and Philosophy in East Asia
REL 2831	Introduction to Daoism
REL 3566	Dharma in Hinduism and Buddhism
REL 3614	Buddhist Philosophy
REL 3814W	Religion and Philosophy in East Asia
REL 3831W	Daoism in East Asia
REL 3832	Myth, Ritual, and Popular Religion in China
REL 3841	Religion and Politics in China
REL 3881	Women, Gender, and Religion in China
REL 3915	Islam and Hinduism in South Asia
REL 3989	The Goddess in India and Beyond