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
- REL 1050–What is Religion Today?
- REL 2000–Thinking About Religion
- REL 4500 - Capstone Seminar in Religion
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 2070 - Judaism
- REL 2080 - Religion in Europe
- 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
- REL 5100 - Comparative Studies in Religion
Track 2: Religion, Spirituality, and Health
Required:
- REL 2100 - Religions of the World
- REL 3180 - Death, Dying, and Beyond
- REL 3190 - Religion and Health
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
- REL 5100 - Comparative 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.