Online courses offered through the Department of Comparative Religion at Western Michigan University are available and many of them satisfy general education and minor requirements.
Required courses
Tracks
In addition to the three required courses each track has required and elective courses that create a unique learning experience. All tracks may be completed on campus or online.
Track 1: World Religions, Society, and Culture
Required:
Electives: (select no fewer than 11 credit hours of courses below)
- REL 2010 - Buddhism
- REL 2050 - Christianity
- REL 2630 - Asian Religions
- REL 2786 - The Qur'an
- REL 3111 - Superhero Comic Book Religion
- REL 3170 - Religion and Gender
- REL 3220 - Spirituality and the Environment
- REL 3325 - Muslim Cultures and Societies
- REL 4000 - Topics in Religion
- REL 4980 - Independent Study
- REL 5000 - Historical Studies in Religion
Track 2: Religion, Spirituality, and Health
Required:
Electives: (select no fewer than 6 credit hours of courses from below)
- REL 3220 - Spirituality and the Environment
- REL 3360 - Zen and Buddhist Meditation
- REL 4000 - Topics in Religion
- REL 4010 - Animals and Religion
- REL 4980 - Independent Study
- REL 5011 - Religion, Culture and Health: Cultures from the East
- REL 5012 - Religion, Culture and Health: Cultures from Africa, the Middle East, and West
Track 3: Religion in America
Required:
Electives: (select no fewer than 5 credit hours of courses from below)
- REL 3220 - Spirituality and the Environment
- REL 3360 - Zen and Buddhist Meditation
- REL 4000 - Topics in Religion
- REL 4010 - Animals and Religion
- REL 4980 - Independent Study
- REL 5000 - Historical Studies in Religion
Other requirements:
- Minimum grade of “C” in all courses counted toward the major or minor
- At least 1/2 of credit hours counted toward major or minor (14 and 8 credit hours respectively) must be taken in the Comparative Religion department.