Online Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies
Religious Studies (BA)
Arts and Sciences
Program Overview
Engage in the historical and critical academic study of religion as a crucial component of the study of world history, global cultures, and contemporary politics and earn your BA through the online degree program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The Religious Studies undergraduate program equips students with the analytical tools to understand the complex relations among religion, culture, and society in past and present contexts.
Credit Hours
120
Cost Per Credit Hour*
In-State $490
Out-of-State $565
Modality
Asynchronous
Admission Terms
Fall, Spring, Summer
*Cost per credit hour is an estimate based on maintenance and university fees. Some programs may have additional course fees. Please contact your department for additional information on any related fees, and visit Tuition and Fees in Detail at One Stop.
The critical and comparative study of religion
Drawing upon a range of historical, anthropological, textual, and theoretical perspectives, the Department of Religion at UT highlights the variety and complexity of religious beliefs, practices, communities, and institutions. The faculty’s expertise is wide-ranging. Their research and teaching interests span religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and indigenous traditions; geographic regions such as the Americas, Africa, the Ancient Mediterranean, and Asia; and thematic topics such as the relationship of religion to politics, gender, violence, sports, media, and the arts.
Program Concentrations
BA in Religious Studies: The major in Religious Studies is designed to engage students with the historical and critical academic study of religion as a crucial component of the study of world history, global cultures, and contemporary politics. Our undergraduate program equips students with the analytical tools to understand the complex relations among religion, culture, and society in past and present contexts.
BA in Religious Studies, Religion and Non-Profit Leadership Concentration: Religion is an important part of the nonprofit world; in addition to nonprofits with religious missions, many other nonprofit organizations work with religiously diverse groups of people or other forms of religious diversity.
Featured Courses
Here are a few examples of the courses you can take as a religious studies student:
REST 202: Religion and Film
Introduction to the study of religion and “world religions” with a focus on religion and film. Explores how religious traditions have been represented in selected films and how to study religion through film as a medium.
REST 225: Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Introduces some of the historical relations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with emphasis on the tradition that is the instructor’s research focus.
REST 280: Religions of Asia
An introduction to the religious traditions that have emerged from within the diverse cultural contexts of South, Southeast, and East Asia, and examines their global impact today.
REST 309: Religion in the Workplace
Within the framework of the academic study of religion, students will engage legal and organizational issues with religion in the workplace, focusing on understanding the complex dynamics that characterize workplace interactions.
REST 320: Gender, Sexuality, and Religion
This course explores how gender and sexuality are constructed, expressed, and addressed in religious history, literature and the arts, and social and political movements.
What can I do with a BA in Religious Studies?
A degree in Religious Studies opens up a diverse array of career opportunities that extend far beyond traditional religious roles.
Case managers
Multicultural programmers
Religious life programmers
Human resources
Humanitarian services
Policy development
