Religion, B.A.

Return to Department of Philosophy and Religion .

The University of Tulsa is not accepting applications or matriculating new undergraduate students into the bachelor’s program in religion beyond the Fall 2019 term. Students who have matriculated into the bachelor’s program may not declare religion as a major after the Spring 2020 term.

The study of religion is in the tradition of the liberal arts, and the program in religion at The University of Tulsa stands among the other humanistic disciplines. The course of study encourages a critical approach to religious texts and traditions, emphasizing literary, historical, philosophical, theological, and moral inquiries. Course offerings are designed to expose students to the variety of religious languages, literatures and modes of inquiry. Courses are taught in the following curriculum areas: the Bible; early Christian thought; medieval Christian and Jewish thought; studies in Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism; ethics and society; church-state relations; and philosophy and religion. Like other degree programs in the humanities, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in religion cultivates the habits of mind one needs in order to think and write with care and precision, and prepares one for graduate and professional studies.

Religion Learning Objectives

To develop a rich understanding of theological and religious thinking, language, and literature in the West;
To teach students to be attentive to the historical context of theology and religious belief and practice;
To cultivate skills of critical interpretation and analysis of texts in written and oral presentation; and
To prepare students for future studies, graduate or professional.

Phillips Graduate Seminary

Junior and senior students majoring in religion may petition the faculty of religion for the option of taking particular courses offered at Phillips Graduate Seminary. The Seminary and the department maintain a reciprocal arrangement.

Tulsa Curriculum Requirements (53 hours)

Core Curriculum (28 hours)

ENGL 1033 Exposition and Argumentation
MATH 1083 Contemporary Mathematics (or higher MATH course)
FS 1973 First Seminar
AS 1001 First Year College Experience *
AS 2001 The Liberal Arts and Preparation for Life after Graduation **
4973 Senior Project (3 hours)
Language (14 hours)***

General Curriculum (25 hours)****

Block I Aesthetic Inquiry and Creative Experience (6 hours)
Block II Historical and Social Interpretation (12 hours)
Block III Scientific Investigation (7 hours including one lab)

Notes:

*AS 1001 is required for freshmen matriculating at TU immediately after graduating from high school.

**AS 2001 is required for sophomores.

***Language requirement may vary depending upon placement.

****No more than two courses from any one discipline may be used to fulfill General Curriculum requirements. Two courses must be taken which meet the Cultural Diversity and Gender Studies requirement.

Some students may be required to take ENGL 1004 Introduction to College Writing and MATH 1053 College Algebra .

Religion Major Requirements (30 hours)

To complete a major in religion at The University of Tulsa, the student must complete 30 hours of coursework. Two-thirds of these, or 21 hours, are to be taken at the 3000-4000 level. Students are required to take two interdisciplinary courses: PHIL 1453 / REL 1453 The Great Conversation I: Ancient and Medieval , and PHIL 2453 / REL 2453 The Great Conversation II: Modern and Contemporary . Religion students must also take one course each in the curriculum areas of Bible and literature, philosophical theology, and Western theology, ethics and society.

Common Questions

Colleges