Global Religious Studies Concentration

Global Religious Studies introduces students to the academic study of religion and spirituality as well as the variety of religious traditions around the world (e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Chinese religious traditions; Indigenous religious traditions in North America and in Africa; atheism and agnosticism, pagan and other nature-based traditions). Because religion is deeply implicated in history, culture, politics, literature, and medicine, the study of religion is critical to understanding and explaining complex global issues in both the past and the present. One does not have to be “religious” or “spiritual” to study religion, nor is the study of religion directed toward establishing the truth of one religion over another. We pursue the academic study of religion and spirituality from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives, including anthropology, archaeology, cognitive sciences, fine arts, history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and textual analysis. The basic intellectual purpose of religious studies is to develop an understanding of, and a critical insight into, the rich variety of the world's religious and spiritual traditions in the complex global realities (cultural, social, economic, political, and environmental) of the twenty-first century

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Global Religious Studies

GENERAL EDUCATION (MAVED) REQUIREMENTS - 34 Hours Required
Minimum of “C-“required
Fundamental Skills15
Writing – 6 hrs.
ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
ENGLISH COMPOSITION I WITH SUPPORT
ENGLISH COMPOSITION II
Oral Communication – 3 hrs.
PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS
ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs.
INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY
QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT
COLLEGE ALGEBRA
Data Literacy – 3 hrs.
Select one from the following:
DATA LITERACY FOR WORK AND LIFE
DATA AND INFORMATION LITERACY
DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education (MavEd) course.
Breadth of Knowledge13
Social Science – 3 hrs.
Humanities – 3 hrs.
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs.
Arts – 3 hrs.
Individual and Social Responsibility 6
Cultural Knowledge – 3 hrs.
Civic Knowledge and Engagement – 3 hrs.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
**Course will satisfy UNO's General Education (MavEd) requirement
^Course requires pre-requisite(s)
International Studies Major with a Concentration in Global Religious Studies 48-49 Hours Required
Required Coursework 12
GLOBAL CHALLENGES (**)
TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (^)
SENIOR E-PORTFOLIO (Required in last semester)
WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY (**)
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (**)
Global Religious Studies Courses
Required3
RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
Choose one of the following 3
RELIGION AND CRITICAL THOUGHT
RELIGION AND HUMAN RIGHTS
HINDU SCRIPTURES
HEBREW SCRIPTURES
NEW TESTAMENT: HISTORY, LITERATURE, AND SOCIETY
THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST
GLOBAL RELIGIOUS ETHICS: THE BASICS
Choose 15 credit hours from the following15
NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIONS
SHAMANISM
RELIGIONS OF THE EAST
RELIGIONS OF THE WEST
WOMEN AND THE BIBLE
ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
ROMAN CATHOLIC THOUGHT AND PRACTICE
RELIGION AND FILM
TOPICS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
READINGS IN RELIGION
RELIGIOUS STUDIES INTERNSHIP
BUDDHIST TRADITIONS
AFRICANA RELIGIONS
FIRST NATIONS: SPIRIT IN ARTS AND CULTURES
JUDAISM IN THE MODERN AGE
THE HOLOCAUST
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II
COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS ETHICS
PUBLIC HEALTH, RELIGION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLENT CONFLICTS, PEACEBUILDING, AND THE ETHICS OF INTERVENTION
WAR, RELIGION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
THE END OF THE WORLD: RELIGION AND APOCALYPSE
HOLY TERROR: RELIGION AND HORROR
JESUS IN FILM
WOMEN AND RELIGION
RELIGION, FILM, AND VIOLENCE
ANCIENT GREEK MYTH, RELIGION & MAGIC
ROME AND THE EARLY CHURCH
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
BUILDING CATHEDRALS: FAITH, POWER, AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE AGES
ISLAM AND POLITICS
SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION
Global Religious Studies - World Language Requirement15-16
The International Studies major requires two years of one world language or the equivalent of levels 1210-2240 (15 hours) or 1110-2120 (16 hours). The BA World Language requirement is also satisfied with this major.
College Breadth (choose one option)15-30+
Option 1: Complete any UNO minor or undergraduate certificate - 15+ hours
Option 2: Additional General Education (MavEd) Requirements - 18+ hours
Additional quantitative literacy - 3 hours
Additional Social Science Gen. Ed. (MavEd) from another Discipline - 3 hours
Additional Humanities Gen. Ed. (MavEd) from another Discipline - 3 hours
HIST 1000 and HIST 1010 - 6 hours
Additional Nat. and Physical Science w/ or without Lab - 3-5 hours
Option 3:CAS comprehensive major (50+ hours) OR any second UNO major (30+ hours)
ELECTIVES
Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Global Religious Studies-Four Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallCredits
ENGL 1150 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I 3
INST 2130 GLOBAL CHALLENGES 3
MATH 1120
INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
or QUANTITATIVE LITERACY
or QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
or COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT
3-4
WORLD LANGUAGE 1210 OR 1110 3-5
Attend Durango Days; other campus events. Set up a Handshake account and take the Pathway U career assessment. Attend the Student Involvement & Volunteer Fair to explore student organizations. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. Work with your advisor to develop your Pathway in Stellic.  
 Credits12-15
Spring
ENGL 1160 ENGLISH COMPOSITION II 3
GEOG 1000 WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY 3
CMST 1110
PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS
or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
3
WORLD LANGUAGE 1220 OR 1120 3-5
RELI 1010 RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD 3
Attend campus events such as major exploration week to get an idea of interests and career paths. Schedule a resume review with UNO Career Services. Visit faculty office hours and ask about undergraduate research opportunities. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March.  
 Credits15-17
Sophomore
Fall
PSCI 2210 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3
2000 LEVEL RELI COURSE 3
WORLD LANGUAGE 2210 OR 2110 3
WORLD LANGUAGE 2240 OR GENERAL EDUCATION (MAVED) OR ELECTIVE 3
GENERAL EDUCATION (MAVED) COURSE OR ELECTIVE 4
Attend the Career & Internship Fair to start networking with employers. Look for volunteer, research, or part-time work to gain experience. Join a student organization or club related to your field or interests. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.  
 Credits16
Spring
INST REQUIREMENT 3
INST REQUIREMENT 3
WORLD LANGUAGE 2220 OR 2120 3
WORLD LANGUAGE 2240 OR GENERAL EDUCATION (MAVED) OR ELECTIVE 3
GENERAL EDUCATION (MAVED) COURSE OR ELECTIVE 3
Attend a career fair for informational and networking purposes. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with new experiences. Investigate and apply for summer internships, research, or study abroad programs. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March.  
 Credits15
Junior
Fall
INST 4140 TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES 3
RELI 3000-4000 COURSE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
Apply for a paid internship or research assistantship. Attend a mock interview workshop or use online interview tools with Career Services. Start researching and visiting graduate programs or professional schools. Visit Career Center, continue updating resume. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct.  
 Credits15
Spring
RELI 3000-4000 COURSE 3
RELI 3000-4000 COURSE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3-4
ELECTIVE 3
Request letters of recommendation from faculty for jobs or grad school. Attend the All-Majors Career Fair with a plan to network. Meet with your advisor or submit for a graduation check-in to review remaining degree requirements. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March.  
 Credits15-16
Senior
Fall
RELI 3000-4000 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 1
Check in with Career Center for networking tips. Finalize graduate school applications or job search strategy. Attend a career fair and start applying for full-time jobs. Prepare for interviews and salary negotiations with Career Services. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct.  
 Credits16
Spring
INST 4990 SENIOR E-PORTFOLIO 0
RELI 3000-4000 COURSE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 3
ELECTIVE 1
*International Studies electives are selected in coordination with an academic advisor.  
Complete your final advising check before graduation. Polish your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. Stay connected by joining alumni networks and professional organizations. Apply for graduation via MavLink  
 Credits16
 Total Credits120-126

College Breadth: Students should plan on using at least 15 hours of "Electives" to fulfill Option 1, 2, or 3, of the College of Arts and Sciences' breadth requirement.

Upper Level Credits: Students need 27 upper level credits throughout the degree with at least 18 upper level credits within the major. Electives may need to be selected at the 3000-4000 level to reach these minimums.

Additional Information About this Plan:

University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.

Placement Exams: For Math, English, World Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php

Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study.

GPA Requirements: 2.0

Note: This plan provides a general guide, but your specific courses, experiences, and career goals may differ. Work with your academic advisor to ensure you’re meeting degree requirements and consult with career advisors to explore internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation plans. Regular check-ins will help you stay on track and make the most of your time at UNO!

Other notes to major requirements…

International Studies Major with a Concentration in Global Religious Studies – 54-55 Hours Required