212 Presidents Hall
religiousstudies@as.ua.edu
Admission into the Minor
Students are expected to formally declare a minor by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
Special Opportunities
The Department of Religious Studies has greatly benefited from donors who have endowed scholarship funds to support its students (either as merit-based awards or funds used throughout the semester, and at the Chair’s discretion, to assist those in financial need). The names of the students who have received these awards, selected by a faculty committee each year, are inscribed on plaques that hang in the department’s lounge.
The department conducts four ongoing lecture and discussion series and also supports an active Religious Studies Student Association. Find us on Facebook: "Department of Religious Studies at The University of Alabama" and the "Religious Studies Student Association," LinkedIn, and on Twitter/X @StudyReligion and Instagram. Finally, in addition to featuring undergraduate research on the department's blog, the Department of Religious Studies hosts an annual research symposium. Talk to an REL professor about getting involved.
| Code and Title | Hours |
| REL 100 or | Intro To Religious Studies | 3 |
| REL 105 | Honors Intro Relig Stdy |
| REL 102 | Religions of World | 3 |
| 6 |
| 15 |
| Total Hours | 21 |
REL 310: REL Goes to the Movies
REL 310 REL Goes to the Movies is offered every semester and is devoted to studying religion in popular culture/public humanities; it is a one credit hour course repeatable up to a total of three credit hours and is open to all students. REL 310 REL Goes to the Movies meets in the evenings to view and then blog on films (different films are included each semester, with faculty introducing them and leading a discussion after). It also includes includes attending either the annual Day or Aronov Lectures (the former each Fall and the latter each Spring).
REL Honors
REL Honors, involves 3 hours of REL 400 and is only open to REL majors/double majors who meet GPA requirements. See the major requirements for more information.
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in the minor is required. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of six hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the minor must be earned on this campus.
Ancillary Courses
This minor does not require ancillary courses.
Additional Minor Requirements
With department approval, the equivalent of up to six credit hours can be applied toward the minor requirement from relevant coursework done outside of the religious studies department. Speak with the Religious Studies adviser to discuss courses outside REL that might enhance a minor in the study of religion.
Students can count a maximum of six hours of online REL courses toward the minor.
For more information on degree requirements, visit the Department page. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, College, major and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an adviser in the major department for academic planning and to be approved for registration each semester. College advisers are also available for additional assistance with minor, College and University requirements.
Prerequisites
Although the normal prerequisite to enroll in 300 and 400 upper-level REL courses is at least junior standing, the Department is prepared to make exemptions. Please talk to the professor or the Undergraduate Director if you are not yet a junior but are interested in any of our upper-level courses.
