University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

Religious Studies

Return to: College of Liberal Arts

The Religious Studies Program provides an interdisciplinary framework within which students can explore the nature of religion and its impact upon human society (history of religion, religion in culture, etc.). Courses are academic and non-sectarian. The Religious Studies Program is part of the Global Humanities Program.

Minor in Religious Studies

Students must complete 18 hours of courses approved by the Coordinator of Religious Studies, fifteen (15) of which must be upper-division. Students must take six (6) hours of core courses in Religious Studies. The remaining twelve (12) hours may be selected from among non-core courses in Religious Studies or in other departments or programs approved by the Coordinator of the Religious Studies Program.

No more than six (6) hours may be counted from any one department or program outside of Religious Studies. Courses from a student’s major counted towards minor requirements may not be used to satisfy major requirements.

Departments and programs whose courses may be approved for the RS Minor include:

  • Art History
  • Asian Studies
  • Chicano Studies
  • English
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Jewish Studies
  • Latin American and Border Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Women's Studies

Degree plan

Required Courses:
RS 1301Introduct to Religious Studies3
RS 3310Major World Religions3
Non-Core Courses:
Select four courses: 112
Buddhism
Confucianism and Daoism
Introduction to Judaism
History of Christianity
Introduction to Islam
Spec Topics-Religious Studies
Gender and Religion
Hispanic Religious Expressions
Total Hours18

Dr. Clayton Bench
Associate Professor of Instruction
Religious Studies Program Coordinator
cbench@utep.edu

Chavah Schwartz
Adjunct Faculty
cischwartz@utep.edu

Roberta Arney
Adjunct Faculty
rarney@utep.edu

Glen Fairen
Adjunct Faculty
gjfairen@utep.edu

John De Frank
Program Manager / Adjunct Faculty
Jdefrank@utep.edu
915-747-5835

The University of Texas at El Paso
College of Liberal Arts
Worrell Hall 210
500 W University
El Paso, Texas 79902
Phone: 915-747-5519 or 915-747-5835
Email: cbench@utep.edu