Religious Studies

Description:

The Religious Studies program is designed for students preparing to transfer to a baccalaureate degree-granting institution with a major in religion or theology, students contemplating a career in religion either as a scholar or a cleric, students who want to explore their own religious beliefs in relation to the beliefs of others, and students interested in the role of religion in the contemporary world.

The Religious Studies curriculum is for students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs or professional schools after study at the Community College of Philadelphia. Students are expected to consult with an academic advisor, counselor and or Department Chair upon entry to the program and in subsequent semesters.

Transfer planning should begin early so that the student can gain the most benefit from the curriculum. Students who follow the Religious Studies curriculum and plan to attend a specific four-year college after graduation should choose elective courses that duplicate as closely as possible those in the first two years of the program of that college.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate critical analysis of arguments and evaluation of an argument’s major assertions, its background assumptions and the evidence used to support its assertions.
  • Communicate effectively through written and oral means including essays, research papers and classroom presentations.
  • Discuss and analyze the history and significance of major world religious traditions as cultural, social and intellectual phenomena.
  • Identify and explain the use of history, philosophy, social science and theology in the study of religion.

Program Entry Requirements:

Students are typically required to take the College’s placement tests at their time of entry. Students identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as a part of their degree program.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:

To qualify for the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in Religious Studies, a student must complete a minimum of 61 credit hours as prescribed and attain a grade point average of 2.0 (“C“ average).

Course Sequence:

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
ENGL 101 - English Composition I   3 credits ENGL 101
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or higher   3 credits Mathematics
CIS 103 - Computer Applications & Concepts *   3 credits Tech Comp
RS 101 - Introduction to Religion   3 credits Humanities / Interpretive Studies
FYE 101 - First Year Experience   3 credits  

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better 3 credits ENGL 102, Info Lit
RS 151/PHIL 151 - World Religions   3 credits Am/Global Diversity
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or 
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology		   3 credits Social Sciences
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy   3 credits  
EASC 111 - Environmental Conservation   3 credits Natural Science

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
RS/HIST 170 - Religion in American History or
RS 175 - Religions of the Middle East		   3 credits  
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology or
POLS 112 - Introduction to International Relations		   3 credits  
World language or
HUM 101 - Cultural Traditions		   3 credits  
BIOL 106 - General Biology I   4 credits  
BHHS 131 - Faith and Spirituality in Human Services or
ECON 112 - Statistics I		  For ECON 112: FNMT 118 or higher placement 3 or 4 credits  

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
RS 152/PHIL 152 - Philosophy of Religion or
RS 180 - Religions of Asia		   3 credits  
HIST 121 - Global History I or
HIST 122 - Global History II 		   3 credits  
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication		 For ENGL 115 and ENGL 116: ENGL 101 with may be taken concurrently 3 credits  
HUM 102 - Cultural Traditions or 
World language		   3 credits  
ART 103 - History of Art I or
ART 104 - History of Art II: Renaissance to Modern or
ADC 221 - History of Architecture and Interiors I or
MUS 105 - Music of the Baroque and Classical Eras		 For ADC 221: ENGL 101 with a grade "C" or better 3 credits  

Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:

61

General Education Requirements:

All General Education requirements are met through required courses (as indicated above) except for the Writing Intensive requirement. Therefore, in order to graduate, students in this program must choose one course that is designated as Writing Intensive. View the courses that fulfill all degree requirements and receive a more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements to help in your selection.

* Qualified students are eligible to earn credit by examination for CIS 103.

For More Information, Contact:

The Division of Liberal Studies, Room BR-21, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8450; or the College Information Center (215) 751-8010.