Religion

As a general rule of thumb, the Religion Department recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.

• The department's methods course (REL 203, What is Religion?), required for Religion majors as well as minors, is typically taught in the Fall semester. Students who want to attend Fall semester programs during their junior year should plan to take this course during their sophomore year.
• First-year students should take any 100 or 200-level religion course open to first-year students.
• Religion majors should complete a significant amount of work in the major prior to off-campus studies including at least one course related to the religions of the country they intend to study.
• Religion majors should enroll in at least one 300-level religion course at Whitman by the end of their junior year, regardless of whether they study off campus or not.

Which requirements can Religion majors fulfill while off campus?

• Elective major credit
• Research that can be used for Senior Thesis, if IRB approved
• General Studies distribution credit
• General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

• The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the Religion major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 12 credits with the approval of your major adviser.

Minor Credit Limitations

• A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.