B.I.S. Interdisciplinary Studies Program Map
Religion Pathway
This pathway provides a degree option for students interested in the study of religious beliefs, practices, and social phenomena. As Interdisciplinary Studies majors, students in this pathway learn theories and methods enabling them to address questions about religion and spirituality by integrating insights, methods, and techniques from multiple relevant disciplines.
Stats
60
Core Credit Hours
24
Major Credit Hours
36
Elective Credit Hours
- Plan Your Degree
- Crush Your Course
- Find Your Place
- Broaden Your Perspectives
- Connect Off-Campus
- Take Care of Yourself
- Pave Your Path
Plan Your Degree
Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C1: ENGL 1101
English Composition I |
3 |
|
M: Math Course |
3 |
|
I1: Written and Oral Communications |
3 |
|
S2: Social Science |
3 |
|
I2: Institutional Option |
2 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better
- Complete Core IMPACTS Math
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
C2: ENGL 1102
English Composition II |
3 |
|
P2: POLS 1101
American Government |
3 |
|
F: ART 2201
History of Western Art I |
3 |
|
T1: Science + Lab |
4 |
|
A: Humanities |
3 |
Milestones:
- Complete ENGL 1102 with a C or better
- Complete lab science
- Earn 16 credit hours (to reach 30 for Fall/Spring combined)
- Complete ART 2201 a C or better
14 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
P1: HIST 2111 OR 2112
US History |
3 |
|
F: ART 2202
History of Western Art II |
3 |
|
F: PSYC 1101
Intro to Psychology |
3 |
|
T2: Non-lab Science |
3 |
|
A: Humanities |
3 |
Milestone:
- Complete ART 2202 with a C or better
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
S1: HIST 1111 OR 1112
World History |
3 |
|
F: XIDS 2000
Intro Interdisciplinary Studies |
3 |
|
F: SOCI 1101
(D1 Foundation) Intro to Sociology |
3 |
|
F: PHIL 2130
(D2 Foundation) Intro to World Religions |
3 |
|
T3: STEM Course |
3 |
Milestone:
- Complete BIS Degree Plan and submit to Registrar.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
For years 3 and 4, students select two focus areas, at least one of which must be either Religion in the Arts and Humanities (RAH) or Religion in the Social Sciences (RSS).
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
RAH 1: HIST 4385
History of Political Islam |
3 |
|
RSS 1: PSYC 4670
Values, Meaning, and Spirituality |
3 |
|
Elective
3000/4000 level elective course |
3 |
|
Elective
3000/4000 level elective course |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
XIDS 3000
Interdisciplinary Methods |
3 |
|
RSS 2: ANTH 3170
Religion in America: The Shakers |
3 |
|
RSS 3: SOCI 3543
Sociology of Religion |
3 |
|
Elective
3000/4000 level elective course |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Milestone:
- Finish capstone proposal/plan in XIDS 3000.
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
RAH 2: PHIL 3220
Christian Thought |
3 |
|
RAH 3: ART 3230
Medieval art of Christian Europe and the Near East |
3 |
|
Elective
3000/4000 level elective course |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
| Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
XIDS 4000
Interdisciplinary capstone |
3 |
|
Elective
3000/4000 level elective course |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Milestone:
- Complete Capstone Project, submit in XIDS 4000
15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours
Crush Your Course
First Year:
- Make sure to take XIDS 2000: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies to start your intellectual, boundary-crossing journey!
- Discover your interests in your core classes. These can help you establish your disciplines.
Middle Years:
- Work with your IDS professors in XIDS 3000 to establish your degree plan, including identifying your complex problem and exploring how and what disciplines can help inform your inquiry.
Last Year:
- This is the time for your XIDS capstone! Make sure you have 9 hours of 3000-4000-level coursework for each of your two disciplines!
Find Your Place
First Year:
- Check out UWG’s Academic Transition Programs and take a cornerstone course (XIDS 2002).
- Explore events, clubs, and organizations available to you! Let the program and/or disciplines you’ve identified guide your search.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Middle Years:
- Attend UWG Scholars’ Day.
- Check out what university associations and community organizations relate to your disciplines.
Last Year:
- Hone your leadership skills by mentoring new IDS majors!
- Consider running for an officer position in a student organization.
Broaden Your Perspectives
First Year:
- Check out the education abroad office.
Middle Years:
- Consider a study abroad program. Check out students’ stories of their experiences.
Last Year:
- Assess your cultural competency.
- Consider working abroad and research visa regulations.
- Explore practices of creating more inclusive careers.
Connect Off-Campus
First Year:
- Visit Wolves Vote to learn about the voting process and registration.
- Consider volunteering for a campaign or organization in your community.
Middle Years:
- Complete an internship in your field.
- Consider a summer or part-time job.
- Ask your department about networking opportunities with alumni.
Last Year:
- Ask for advice from professionals in your field of interest.
- Explore career shadowing opportunities.
Take Care of Yourself
First Year:
- Visit Health Services.
- Get fit! Visit URec to see all your options.
- Visit the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy.
Middle Years:
- Take a fitness class, climb the rock wall, or join an intramural team.
- Consider whether counseling is right for you: take a mental health screening.
Last Year:
- Explore a farmer’s market for fresh produce.
- Develop a post-graduation exercise plan.
- Explore your loan repayment options and complete your exit counseling.
Pave Your Path
First Year:
- Complete a self-assessment to see what careers and majors are right for you.
- Visit Career Services.
- Create your profile on Handshake.
- Consider applying for an on-campus job.
Middle Years:
- Draft your resume and attend a resume blitz.
- Learn about how to network on social media and update your Handshake profile.
- Draft your personal statement.
- Visit the graduate school to find out about graduate programs and admission requirements.
Last Year:
- Request references from professors and supervisors.
- Draft your resume cover letter and personal statement and revise it with career services.
- Attend business fairs and career fairs at UWG and across the state.
- Attend an interview workshop.
- Apply for graduate programs.
careers
Career Opportunities
This degree may help you get work as the following:
- Archivist
- Charity Fundraiser
- Clergy
- Community Development Worker
- Editorial Assistant
- Educator
- Historian
- Mediator
- Newspaper Journalist
- Youth Worker
Requirements
Degree Requirements
IDS MAJORS
All IDS majors complete an XIDS course sequence through which they learn interdisciplinary concepts and method, culminating with a capstone project that reflects their intellectual and career interests:
- XIDS 2000 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
- XIDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Methods
- XIDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Capstone
IDS ElectivesFocus Areas
Pathway Focus Areas
Students select two focus areas, at least one of which must be either Religion in the Arts & Humanities or Religion in the Social Sciences.
Religion in the Social Sciences
Choose three courses (9 hours):
- ANTH 3170 Religion in America: The Shakers
- ANTH 4170 Myth, Magic and Religion
- ANTH 4190 Modern Shamanism
- PSYC 4070 Psychology of Myth and Symbol
- PSYC 4130 (4 credits) Eastern and Transpersonal Psychologies
- PSYC 4670 Values, Meaning, and Spirituality
- PSYC 4085 (2-4 credits) Horizon Seminar (if focused on religion-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- SOCI 3543 Sociology of Religion
- SOCI 3804 Death, Dying, and Grief
- SOCI 4999 Religion and Global Social Problems
Mentor: Dr. Marjorie Snipes
Religion in the Arts and Humanities
Choose three courses (9 hours):
- ART 3230 Medieval Art of Christian Europe and the Near East
- HIST 4210 Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity
- HIST 4231 The Reformation
- HIST 4285 Topics in European History (if focused on religion-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- HIST 4385 Topics in World History (if focused on religion-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- HIST 4485 Special Topics (if focused on religion-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- HIST 4478 American Religion to 1800
- HIST 4479 American Religion since 1800
- HIST 4385 History of Political Islam
- PHIL 3105 Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy
- PHIL 3205 Theories of Religion
- PHIL 3220 Christian Thought
- PHIL 3250 Islamic Thought
- PHIL 4230 Philosophy of Religion
Mentor: Dr. Rosemary Kellison
Spirituality and Health
Required courses (6 hours):
- ANTH 4190 Modern Shamanism (new course)
- ANTH 4130 Medical Anthropology
Choose one courses (3 hours):
- ANTH 3180 Environment and Health
- ANTH 3188 (4 credits) Ethnographic Field Methods
- ANTH 4170 Myth, Magic, and Religion
- ANTH 4885 Special Topics (if focused on religion or health-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- PSYC 3580 Holistic Health Psychology
- PSYC 3800 (3-4 credits) Psychology of Mind and Body
- PSYC 4085 (2-4 credits) Horizon Seminar (if focused on religion or health-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- PSYC 4130 (4 credits) Eastern and Transpersonal Psychology
- PSYC 4290 Moral and Social Development
- SOCI 3804 Death, Dying, and Grief
Mentor: Dr. Marjorie Snipes
Religion and Social Justice
Choose one course (3 hours):
- ANTH 3170 Religion in America: The Shakers
- ANTH 4190 Modern Shamanism
- HIST 4479 American Religion since 1800
- HIST 4385 History of Political Islam
- PHIL 3220 Christian Thought
- PHIL 3250 Islamic Thought
- SOCI 4999 Religion and Global Social Problems
Choose two (minimum of 6 hours):
- ANTH 3180 Environment and Health
- ANTH 4146 Latinx in the U.S.
- CRIM 4265 Crime and Social Inequality
- ENGL 4170 Studies in African-American Literature
- HIST 4469 Civil Rights Movement
- HIST 4285/4385/4485 Special Topics (if focused on religion and social justice-related topic; seek advisor approval)
- PHIL 3115 Political Philosophy
- PHIL 4110 Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 4130 Feminist Philosophy
- POLS 4209 Environmental Policy
- POLS 4517 Global Human Rights
- SOCI 3134 Social Work/Social Welfare
- SOCI 4323 Sociology of Race
- XIDS (or other discipline) Research Project
- XIDS (or other discipline) Internship
Mentor: Dr. Emily McKendry-Smith
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Have any questions about your major?
Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!