Indeed, a religion major often provides undergraduates a useful way of developing, in effect, an interdisciplinary major with work in everything from anthropology to biblical studies. Course numbered in the 100's are lecture courses appropriate to take as a first course in religion. Courses numbered in the 200's without a prerequiste listed are also appropriate to take as a first course but will be smaller discussion classes. Courses numberd in the 300's are more advanced and have prerequisites as indicated. Religion 490 is usually taken by majors in their senior year.
Students write for two days, three hours each day.
The usual pattern has been to write on two questions the first day. There is a wide range of questions from which to choose, and questions characteristically draw on material from more than one course. The second day has usually involved writing on one question, which invites reflection on the shape of the major as a whole. The department's goal is to give students the chance to tie their major together and demonstrate their strengths in the field. The course introduces the ancient religions of IndiaHinduism, Buddhism, Jainismand the religious situation until the introduction of Islam to the Indian subcontinent.