Inquiry into religion as a continuously evolving source of ethical ideas, cultural values, social critique, and human connection in the contemporary world
Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN-RELI
The MAIS in interdisciplinary studies is for students who seek a master's degree that integrates knowledge from several disciplines. It addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique graduate study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations and also have the opportunity to design an individualized concentration to meet the special needs of their careers.
The MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Energy and Sustainability is a Green Leaf program.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Total credits: 36
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate coursework in concentration. Students must submit a curriculum worksheet that has been approved by their concentration head and the director. All students complete their work in the program with a project or thesis.
The concentration in religious studies is particularly relevant for students who are interested in careers in law, national and international government, print and media journalism, library sciences, archives and museums, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies, and religious communities and institutions. The Washington, DC metropolitan area is rich in the presence of many major religious traditions and their places of worship.
The core courses introduce students to the study of religion as a unique and rigorous intellectual discipline. Students learn to evaluate a variety of perspectives on religion and gain a clear understanding of the dimension of the sacred in all aspects of human life including those commonly designated "secular". Students discover how religious perceptions of the sacred respond to an evolving world and relate to and influence cultures, institutions, and values.
Students also examine the effects of historical crises and the forces of change on religions including contemporary religious pluralism and inter-religious dialogue. Students gain a deeper knowledge of specific traditions and a more profound understanding of values and worldviews from the viewpoint of cultural diversity and religious pluralism.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAIS 696 | MAIS ProSeminar | 1 |
| Total Credits | 1 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RELI 600 | Interdisciplinary Pathways in the Study of Religion | 3 |
| RELI 630 | Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Students take three courses from the list of competencies below to complement their interests and the skills they have already acquired through formal education and professional experience, or other courses that are chosen in consultation with an advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics | ||
| Aristotle: Selected Works | ||
| Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | ||
| History of Ethical Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Issues in Religious Ethics | ||
| Religion and the Natural Environment | ||
| Religion and Secularity in State and Society | ||
| Religion and Law | ||
| Islam and Human Rights | ||
| Islamic Biomedical Ethics (Religion in the Americas) | ||
| Religion in the Americas | ||
| Religion in North America to 1870 | ||
| U.S. Religion since 1870 | ||
| Topics in U.S. Religious History | ||
| Topics in American Religion | ||
| Religion and Law | ||
| Religions in Confliclt, Conversation, and Transition | ||
| Ritual and Power in Social Life | ||
| World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Conflict and Religion | ||
| Interreligious Dialogue | ||
| Religion and Secularity in State and Society | ||
| Islamic Texts and Contexts | ||
| Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought | ||
Elective courses should complement the student's competencies, and/or reflect the topic of their project or thesis. Students take 15-18 credits of electives chosen from the courses listed below, or other appropriate courses chosen in consultation with the concentration head. Students who do a project for their capstone will take 18 credits of electives. Students who do a thesis for their capstone will take 15 credits of electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5-6 courses from the following: | ||
| Anthropology and the Human Condition: Seminar I | ||
| Anthropology and the Human Condition: Seminar II | ||
| Ritual and Power in Social Life | ||
| World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Conflict and Religion | ||
| Religion in North America to 1870 | ||
| U.S. Religion since 1870 | ||
| Topics in U.S. Religious History | ||
| Aristotle: Selected Works | ||
| Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | ||
| History of Ethical Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Interreligious Dialogue | ||
| Issues in Religious Ethics | ||
| Topics in American Religion | ||
| Religion and the Natural Environment | ||
| Religion and Secularity in State and Society | ||
| Religion and Law | ||
| Islamic Texts and Contexts | ||
| Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought | ||
| Islam and Human Rights | ||
| Islamic Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Ethnography | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAIS 797 | Interdisciplinary Studies Proposal | 1 |
| Total Credits | 1 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 1-4 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 1 credit) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 4 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 1-4 | |
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking philosophy and another discipline should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies regarding Individualized Dual Master's Degree Programs. Students approved to pursue dual master's study linking the MA philosophy degree and the Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS with a concentration in women and gender studies will complete WMST 630 Feminist Theories across the Disciplines/PHIL 658 Feminist Theory and 3 additional credits of WMST courses approved by the Department of Philosophy to apply to the philosophy degree as elective credit. Six credits of approved PHIL credits will apply to the MAIS degree as elective credit. Application to the second master's program should be pursued with consultation of the directors of both programs. Admission to the second master's program will require that the student has met the minimum prerequisites for admission to the second program. If a student lacks the minimum prerequisites and seeks to be admitted to a second master's program, the director of the second program may identify ways in which the prerequisite can be completed prior to admission.