Civic Interfaith Studies Minor
Are you interested in civic engagement? Do you appreciate religious differences and interfaith experiences? Consider a minor in Civic Interfaith Studies, which equips students to effectively recognize the intersections of religious traditions and navigate religious diversity within cultural, political, and economic contexts.
This minor began as an interdisciplinary partnership between the Garland School of Social Work and other campus partners interested in the role of interfaith dialogue in civic engagement. The minor is available to students from all academic disciplines.
Minor requirements
- 18 total hours
- 12 hours must be in residence
- 9 hours must be at a "3000" or "4000" level
- No more than 3 hours from a student's major may be applied to the minor
- 9 hours from: LDS 3308, REL 3345*, and SWO 2320
- 9 additional hours from approved electives
*Student in the BIC may take BIC 1314 or BIC 1324 in place of REL 3345
LDS 3308
Interfaith Leadership
This course will explore theoretical and practical issues related to leadership across and inclusive of different faiths. We will discuss various civic and spiritual practices related to leadership and religious identity. Students will consider their own sense of formation and worldview through reading, writing, class discussion, and co-curricular experiences in order to cultivate spiritual growth, civic capacity, and intercultural skills.
REL 3345
World Religions
Historical, aesthetic, philosophical, anthropological, sociological, and psychological approaches to the major faith traditions of our world.
SWO 2320
Human Diversity and Leadership
This course creates opportunities to increase understanding of diversity and difference, power and privilege, and oppression—as well as an understanding of one’s self. Students will look at diversities within religion, ability, age, sexual orientation in addition to race/ethnicity, class, gender. This is an essential foundation for culturally competent leadership in any professional or volunteer setting.
The remaining 9 hours can be chosen from the following courses:
- BIC 3358
- BIC 4389
- PWR 4348
- REL 4342
- SWO 4315
- SWO 4V80, Spirituality in Social Work Practice
In the event that the above electives are unavailable, students may select from the following courses:
- ANT 1360, 2305, 3320, 4360
- BIC 4374
- ENG 3317, 3326
- INB 3333
- JOU 3376, 3387, 4305
- LDS 3312
- PPS 2301, 4310
- PHI 2305
To declare a major, contact your advisor.
For questions about this minor, please contact Rachel Garcia.