Courses & Requirements
Religious Studies Major (BA)
A Bachelor of Arts degree (120 credits) consists of Core Curriculum (24 credits) and at least one major (36–60 credits), as well as minors and/or elective courses of the student’s choosing.
The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies is a 37-credit major in which students explore religion in a variety of ways, with an emphasis on contemplative practices and traditions. Course offerings include African, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sufi traditions. Students have the opportunity to develop inner resources to meet life’s challenges, and interreligious dialog skills to relate to diverse traditions and beliefs. All students must take a series of 12 credits that introduce the study of religion and contemplative practice. Students also choose 9 credits from Religious Traditions courses, which serve as introductory studies of major world religions, 6 credits from Contemporary Issues in Religion courses, and 9 credits from Contemplative Practice courses.
Departmental Policies
Please consult with your academic advisor to plan your schedule in the program. For additional policies, please see the Religious Studies Student Handbook on MyNaropa. Undergraduate students may petition to take MA courses in Buddhism in their junior or senior year with the permission of the instructor.
Religious Studies Major Requirements
Required Courses
Gateway: Choose 6 credits
- REL150 Buddhist Journey of Transformation: An Introduction (3)
- REL210 Religion & Mystical Experience (3)
- REL247 Embodying Sacred Wisdom: Modern
Saints (3)
Milestone
- REL351 Theories of Alternative Spiritualities and New Religious Movements (3)
Religious Traditions Courses: Choose 9 credits
- REL229 Contemplative Judaism (3)
- REL240 Integrating One’s Inner and Outer World (3)
- REL314 Contemplative Islam: An Introduction to Its History, Thought, and Practice (3)
- REL321 Kabbalah and Consciousness (3)
- REL323 Religious Experience in Africa: Flash of theSpirit (3)
- REL325 Contemplative Christianity (3)
- REL334 Hindu Tantra (3)
- REL338 Sufism: An Introduction to its History, Thought, and Practice (3)
- REL345 Zen Buddhism (3)
- REL346 Wisdom & Compassion: A Buddhist Path (3)
- REL355 Introductory Sanskrit: The Language of the Gods (3)
- TRA453 Yoga History, Theory, and Philosophy (3)
Contemporary Issues in Religion Courses:
Choose 6 credits
- REL190 Special Topics in Religious Studies (1–3)
- REL212 Queer Theory and Religion (3)
- PAX335 Socially Engaged Spirituality (3)
Contemplative Practice Courses:
Choose 9 credits
- REL158W The Breeze of Simplicity: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL160 Meditation Practicum I: Freeing the Mind (3)
- REL250 Spirituality and Creative Expression (3)
- REL255W Opening the Heart: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL271 Christian Prayer and Mystical Practices (3)
- REL345 Zen Buddhism (3)
- REL390W Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human (1)
- REL391W Shambhala Training Level II: Birth of the Warrior (1)
- REL392W Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World (1)
- REL393W Shambhala Training Level IV: Awakened Heart (1)
- REL394W Shambhala Training Level V: Open Sky (1)
- TRA133 Yoga I: Foundations (3)
- TRA463 Yoga Meditation (3)
Capstone
- TRA485 BA Wisdom Traditions Retreat (1)
- COR440 Capstone II (3)
