Major Requirements

For students who wish to major in religious and theological studies, there are two tracks that you can choose - one with an emphasis in religious studies and the other with an emphasis in theological studies. Each program consists of ten courses as follows:

For the emphasis in religious studies:

A. RTS 1000/1001/15xx Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies;
B. Three courses in World Religions;
C. One course in Biblical Studies;
D. One course in Systematic Theology or Christian History;
E. One course in Religion, Society & Ethics;
F. Two electives in Religious and Theological Studies;
H. RTS 4900A - Seminar in Religious and Theological Studies - taken in junior or senior year.

For the emphasis in theological studies:

A. RTS 1000/1001/15xx Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies;
B. One course in World Religions;
C. Two courses in Biblical Studies;
D. One course in Christian History;
E. One course in Systematic Theology;
F. One course in Religion, Society & Ethics;
G. Two electives in Religious and Theological Studies;
H. RTS 4900A - Seminar in Religious and Theological Studies - taken in junior or senior year.

MAJOR GPA

The GPA for the religious and theological studies major will be calculated by taking the average of courses designated RTS.

RTS 1000/1001/15xx  Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies is required of all students at Merrimack College. This can be satisfied by taking either:
    A. Two 2-credit courses: “Introduction to Theology” (RTS1000) plus one 
         introductory religious studies course at the 1500 level  or 
    B. “Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies” (RTS 1001—4 credits).

CATEGORIES OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES COURSES.

All religious and theological studies courses are classified under the following categories:

World Religions: RTS2500A, RTS2510A, RTS2600A, RTS2610A, RTS2620A, RTS3000A, RTS3500A

Biblical Studies: RTS2100A, RTS2200A, RTS2210A, RTS3100A, RTS3110A, RTS3200A, RTS3210A

Christian History: RTS2300A, RTS2340A, RTS3360A, RTS3370A, RTS3380A, RTS3810A, RTS4000A

Systematic Theology: RTS2310A, RTS2410A, RTS2420A, RTS2710A, RTS3300A, RTS3310A, RTS3320A, RTS3360A, RTS3400A, RTS3410A, RTS3450A, RTS3710A, RTS3810A

Religion, Society & Ethics: RTS2410A, RTS2420A, RTS2700A, RTS2710A, RTS2800A, RTS3210A, RTS3400A, RTS3410A, RTS3450A, RTS3600A, RTS3700A, RTS3800A

For descriptions of Religious and Theological Studies courses, please click on Course Catalog, the link on the right of the Religion main page.   

LEARNING GOALS FOR THE RTS MAJOR

Students are expected to:
1. demonstrate their knowledge of central terms, ideas and issues; major theories; and historical, social, and cultural contexts that have influenced and are influenced by religion and religions.
2. demonstrate writing and research skills including description, analysis and argumentation, ability to locate relevant information, and familiarity and usage of reference sources and styles.
3. demonstrate their understanding of material through integrating theory with evidence and using proper methodology.
4. demonstrate their understanding of the moral dimension of human life through ethical, critical and  personal reflection.