Required Credit Hours: 30
**coming next academic year (2027-28) a new COLL 400 capstone CNST course (can replace RELG 391 below): “The Study of Consciousness”
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Studies Core Requirements: | ||
| RELG 201 | Religions of the World: The Human Religious Experience | 3 |
| RELG 391 | Theory and Method in the Study of Religion | 4 |
| Two Courses from Traditions: | 6 | |
| Religious literacy is foundational to Contemplative Studies because contemplative practices are deeply embedded in the historical and philosophical traditions that shaped them. By requiring case studies in Buddhism and Hindu Traditions students engage two of the world’s richest contemplative lineages through historical and textual case studies. These courses provide essential context for understanding how practices of contemplation, wisdom, and self-transformation developed, and how they continue to inform contemporary practices. | ||
| RELG 213 | Introduction to Hinduism | |
| RELG 214 | Buddhism | |
| Contemplative Studies Core Requirements: | ||
| Through these required course students will be able to: understand and explain the psychological and neurological mechanisms underpinning awareness, emotion, mental health, and self-regulation; examine and compare contemplative traditions and practices across cultures and time periods; analyze and evaluate recent scientific studies on the cognitive, affective, and neurophysiological effects of meditation, and compare and contrast these findings with key Buddhist and Hindu texts on meditation and conceptions of the self. | ||
| PSYC 201 | Introduction to Psychology as a Natural Science | 3 |
| RELG 320 | Meditation & Wellness: Introduction to Contemplative Studies | 4 |
| One Contemplative Studies (CNST) course that also carries the PSYC or BIOL or NSCI attribute. Options include: | 3 | |
| NSCI 305 | Exploring Neuroscience: Molecules, Cells, and Synapses | |
| or BIOL 345 | ||
| NSCI 306 | Exploring Neuroscience: Brain Systems & Behavior | |
| or PSYC 313 | Physiological Psych | |
| PSYC 311 | Cognitive Psychology | |
| PSYC 355 | Cognitive Science | |
| PSYC 448 | Self-transcendent States | |
| PSYC 470 | Topics in Psychology (Science of Positive Psychology) | |
| One Wellness Application Course | 1 | |
| Through this requirement, students will engage in mind-body practices and meditative techniques that support wellness and enhance empathy, focus, regulation, & resilience—key predictors of academic and life success. | ||
| INTR 110M | Mindfulness Meditation | |
| INTR 110F | Flourishing | |
| INTR 110Y | Yoga | |
| INTR 110 | Wellness Applications (Intro to East Asian Medicine ) | |
| INTR 110 | Wellness Applications (Sound Wellness ) | |
| Electives: | 6 | |
| One elective at any level. This can include any of the below electives at 300/400 level, select RELG 100s, select RELG 150s, transfer RELG credit in the field of Contemplative Studies, or any course that carries the CNST attribute. Consult with your advisor to see if your COLL 100, COLL 150 or transfer credit can fulfill this requirement. | ||
| Remaining elective at the 300/400 level. This can be any course at the 300 or 400 level that carries the CNST attribute. Options include the PSYC, BIOL, and NSCI courses listed above as well as: | ||
| DANC 304 | Mind-Body Unity in a Fractured World: Introduction to Somatics and Social Justice | |
| PHIL 345 | Philosophy of Mind | |
| RELG 215 | History of Religion in East Asia | |
| RELG 340 | Spiritual But Not Religious | |
| RELG 364 | Yoga and Tantra | |
| RELG 380 | Buddhist Philosophy | |
| RELG 382 | Buddhism and Science | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |