Minors in Religious Studies
Oakland University offers minors in Islamic, Judaic, or Christian studies. Why should you consider a minor in any one of these areas? Religious thinking has greatly affected cultures and social formation around the globe. An understanding of religious thought and movements allows us to peer deeply into and more competently evaluate a society, major movements in history and complex moral and ethical problems. By enrolling in one of these minors you will be exposed to the rich cultural treasures that these faiths have traditionally offered and still offer today. You will learn about essential concepts that continue to drive religious expression and motivate their followers. You will learn to articulate essential human questions that affect us all.
Each of these minors will complement almost any other academic or vocational degree in which you are already enrolled. They will provide for you a rich basis in the humanities. Understanding religious thinking complements the ideas of science, the ethics of business, the task of holistic healing in medicine, the insights into psychology; above all, it makes you a better informed and well-rounded student of life. No matter what you are studying, you will gain greatly by enrolling in a minor in any of these religious traditions. Essential life questions, the meaning of existence, the awe of the natural order and the motivators of human culture are addressed in the courses offered. Your minor will complement and add meaning to your major: your studies prepare you for life’s great adventures. This acquired knowledge of faiths, beliefs and practices equip you to look at reality from a wider perspective while you work on your major academic specialty, enabling you to enter into the ongoing discussion about religious topics that inform the fundamental political, historical, ethical and cultural drivers of society.
Developed to complement current minors in Christianity and Judaic studies, the Oakland University Islamic studies program fosters a richer understanding of Islamic history, heritage and religious tradition. The minor also complements and enhances studies in other academic areas, such as business, law, history and political science. The program focuses on the understanding of the impact of Islam on politics, culture and society. For more information, contact Aly Lela ([email protected]), sub-director of Islamic Studies.
The liberal arts minor in Islamic studies requires a minimum of 20 credits as described below. At least 8 credits must be taken in Religious Studies courses at Oakland through the following requirements:
One of the following courses:
- REL 1100 - Introduction to Religion
- REL 1850 - World Religious Traditions
Required course:
- REL 1150 - Introduction to Islam
One of the following courses:
- REL 3100 - Islamic Ethics
- REL 3130 - Islam in the Modern World
- REL 3450 - Islam in America
- REL 3728 - Mystics and Mystical Insights
- or any REL 3900 special topics course in Islamic studies
One of the following field related courses:
- AH 1003 - Introduction to Arts of Asia and the Islamic World
- HST 3510 - The Modern Middle East
- HST 3540 - The Arab-Israeli Conflict
- IS 2700 - Perspectives on the Middle East
- PHL 2210 - Medieval Philosophy
One of the following applications:
- ARB 1140 - Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture
- REL 4950 - Religious Community Project Internship
- REL 4920 - Directed Readings in Religious Studies
- or approved study abroad in Muslim-majority society
A four-credit internship also is a curriculum requirement, which can be satisfied by service at such institutions as an Islamic bank or social service organization, to name a few.
Read more about the Islamic Studies Minor in the 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog.
The Judaic studies program at Oakland University offers you the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the multi-faceted, interesting and unique religion and culture of the Jewish people. We offer a wide variety of classes on Jewish beliefs and values; history; literature; film; archaeology; and Hebrew.
Whether you are taking courses for interest, to fulfill a general education requirement, or adopting the minor, our classes offer you the unique opportunity to broaden your perspective and increase your understanding of the world in which you live. Moreover, given our increasingly globalized world, understanding different cultures and world-views like Judaism is a great asset for success. Whether you are going into business, education, or health care, you will have to work with and provide service for people from many different backgrounds. The addition of a Judaic studies minor can enhance your resume and open doors for employment; adopting a minor in Judaic studies is a great compliment to many other majors including business and education.
A minor in Judaic studies can be obtained by taking 20 credits, or five classes. In addition to the many interesting classes you can take to fulfill the minor, we offer opportunities for community internships and travel to Israel. For more information, contact Michael Pytlik ([email protected]), sub-director of Judaic Studies.
The liberal arts minor in Judaic studies requires a minimum of 20 credits as described below. At least 8 credits must be taken in religious studies courses at Oakland.
One of the following courses:
- REL 1100 - Introduction to Religion
- REL 1850 - World Religious Traditions
Required course:
- REL 1200 - Introduction to Judaism
Two of the following core courses:
- PHL 2210 - Medieval Philosophy
- REL 3420 - Jewish History
- REL 3430 - The Jewish Experience in American Life
- REL 3440 - The Holocaust
- REL 3700 - The Book of Genesis
- REL 3710 - Written Traditions of Judaism
- REL 3720 - Concepts of God and Man in Judaism
- REL 3728 - Mystics and Mystical Insights
- or any REL 3900 special topics course in Judaic studies
One of the following applications:
- Hebrew language course
- REL 4950 - Religious Community Project Internship
- REL 4920 - Approved Directed Readings in Religious Studies
- Approved study abroad in Israel
Read more about the Judaic Studies Minor in the 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog.
The minor in Christianity Studies is designed to explore the history and thought of the Christian experience set in the context of world history and cultures. It is taught from a non-sectarian perspective and serves to provide a deeper understanding of many of the important values that underlie broader American and Western values. Taught in collaboration with minors in Judaic and Islamic studies, courses highlight similarities and shared vision with them, as well as the distinctive approach to broad concerns of the human spirit that Christianity offers. The minor provides the student with a solid background for a wide spectrum of professional endeavor in contemporary American life that must necessarily engage the realities of an increasingly diverse public. For more information, contact Randall Engle ([email protected]), sub-director of Christianity Studies.
The liberal arts minor in Christianity studies requires a minimum of 20 credits as described below. At least 8 credits must be taken in religious studies courses at Oakland.
One of the following courses:
- REL 1100 - Introduction to Religion
- REL 1850 - World Religious Traditions
Required course:
- REL 1250 - Introduction to Christianity
- REL 3110 - Christianity Ethics
Two of the following core courses:
- AH 3220 - Early Medieval, Byzantine, and Romanesque Art
- AH 3230 - Gothic Art
- ENG 3650 - The Bible as Literature
- HST 3340 - The Italian Renaissance
- HST 3345 - The Reformation
- PHL 2210 - Medieval Philosophy
- REL 3728 - Mystics and Mystical Insights
- REL 3730 - Early Christian Spirituality
- REL 3735 - Cross and Crown
- or any special topics course in Christianity studies offered under REL 3900
One of the following applications:
- REL 4950 - Religious Community Project Internship
- REL 4920 - Directed Readings in Religious Studies
Read more about the Christianity Studies Minor in the 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog.
Religious Studies / Center for Religious Understanding
Religious Studies / Center for Religious Understanding