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Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs Minor

The Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs (REWA) program offers a minor for Georgetown Main Campus undergraduate students administered through the Berkley Center. The REWA minor gives students an opportunity to explore the role of faith and values across topic areas including international relations, comparative politics, and history and cultures. In our interreligious and intercultural world, developing a nuanced understanding of these topics is of critical importance and value in the academy and across professions.

Minor requirements are structured around three thematic areas: Faith and Ethics in International Relations, Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective, and Religion in History and Culture. Students can tailor their REWA courses to one of these three thematic areas, specialize in a particular geographical region, or focus on a religious tradition. 

The Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs Minor program also features regular seminars and professional development opportunities, as well as a spring symposium where students present their capstone research to one another and to faculty for feedback and discussion.

Spring 2024 REWA courses can be found here.

REWA students take a total of six courses: one course in three thematic areas plus two electives from any area, as well as a capstone seminar, GOVT 3824 (formerly 313): Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs, with a major research paper requirement.

  • Area 1: Faith and Ethics in International Relations (one course): Courses in this area address the role of religion and/or ethics in interstate relations, including U.S. foreign policy, regional conflicts, and human rights and religious freedom questions.
  • Area 2: Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective (one course): Courses in this area address the role of religion in politics in particular countries and regions, and encompass treatments of the role of particular religious traditions in society and politics.
  • Area 3: Religion in History and Culture (one course): Courses in this area explore the role of religion in national and regional histories and its contemporary expressions in culture and society.
  • Capstone: GOVT 3824 (formerly 313): Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs (offered fall and spring semesters): The capstone seminar is taught on a rotating basis by faculty at the Berkley Center. 
  • Electives (two courses from any area)

REWA courses are now marked as eligible for Area 1, 2, and 3 on MyAccess (under “Attributes,” look for College/SFS REWA). To petition for a course not marked as REWA, students should contact the Berkley Center Director of Student Programs with the course number, title, and description.

For SFS Students 

There is a two-course double-counting maximum with a student’s SFS core requirements. SFS students enrolled prior to fall 2019 (class of 2020, 2021, and 2022) have the option of pursuing a REWA minor or certificate. 

  • Courses may not be double-counted between a major and minor or minor and minor.
  • Up to two courses may double-count between a major and a certificate. 

Please see the full policy on double-counting in the Undergraduate Bulletin, Section II, “Of special note.” 

For College, MSB, and NHS Students

Courses counting toward core requirements may be double-counted toward the REWA minor. Courses may not be double-counted between a major and minor or minor and minor. Please see the full policy on double-counting in the Undergraduate Bulletin, Section III, 4.

Program Tracks – The program features “tracks” for REWA students based on their interest in a particular region, religious tradition, or thematic focus. The tracks sort the almost 400 REWA-designated courses to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. 

Advising – Students receive advising for their minor from the center’s director of student programs, working in collaboration with their academic deans. Advising extends beyond course selection to intentionally integrate mentorship into research, funding, publishing, and conference opportunities. 

Dynamic Mentorship – The REWA program offers regular outings to intercultural and interreligious spaces; a Dinner Conversations series moderated by and featuring our faculty; and Lunch and Learn sessions, drawing from our growing alumni network to help students connect their REWA coursework to future career opportunities.

Who is eligible for the REWA minor?

All Main Campus Georgetown undergraduate students are eligible to apply to the REWA minor program. 

How should I apply? 

Students may apply at any time. Enrolling during sophomore year is strongly encouraged. Admission to the minor is competitive. Interested students should complete this application form, which requires a 250-word statement of interest, a writing sample, and an unofficial transcript.

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