Religious Studies, B.A.

The world is a richly meaningful place and every life is an authentic contribution to that larger meaning. Understanding the world’s religions and spiritual traditions allows us to see how belief and belonging influence culture, ethics, and politics.

Focusing on major religions of the world, spiritual paths, and secular belief systems, our curriculum helps students develop the capacity for scholarship and disciplined thought on subjects of meaning, value, and purpose, and it encourages them to utilize the study of religion to enrich their own quest for meaning, consider their values, and ponder the questions that have captivated people for millennia.

Religious Studies is less a discipline, and more an interdisciplinary field. Courses taken in the major are enriched by - and in turn enrich - courses taken in a wide variety of other departments, from History to Biology, from Art to Social Work. The major maintains a low unit requirement, leaving ample room for students to pursue a minor or minors, a second major, dedication to language studies, and/or study abroad.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Major Academic Plan, Religious Studies, B.A.

Program MAPs represent recommended or possible pathways toward degree completion in four years (or two years for transfer students). Please see an advisor and use the DARS planner to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

Religious Studies, B.A. MAP

Religious Studies, B.A. Transfer MAP

Requirements for the Major (33 Units)

Introduction

Complete six units from the following:

RS 101 - Peace & Justice Studies Units: 3
RS 105 - World Religions Units: 3
RS 104 - Asian Religions: Exploring Buddhism Units: 3

Religious Studies: Belief and Behavior in History and Experience

Complete 24 units from the following:

AHSS 201 - Evolution, Creation, and the Robot Apocalypse Units: 3
NAS 302W - Oral Literature and Oral Tradition Units: 3
RS 300W - Living Myths: War and Peace Units: 3
RS 301 - Religion in America Units: 3
RS 332 - Introduction to Islam Units: 3
RS 341 - Spiritual Traditions of India Units: 3
RS 302W - Cults, Clubs, and New Religious Movements Units: 3
RS 304 - Cultural and Religious Heritage of Africa Units: 3
RS 305W - Yoga: Spiritual Practice and Applied Health Units: 3
RS 306 - Gods and Kings in the Ancient Near East Units: 4
RS 361 - Environment and Religion Units: 3
RS 391 - Religion in Tradition: Special Topics Units: 3
RS 393 - Religion in Myth, Culture and Experience: Special Topics Units: 3

Religious Studies Experiential Workshops

Complete three units from the following:

RS 394 - Religious Studies Workshop Units: 1-3
Topics include: Jewish Spirituality Weekend, Christianity: Liturgy and Charisma, City of 10,000 Buddhas Weekend, Tibetan Buddhism Weekend, Yoga Studio Tour, Finding Meaning on an Endangered Planet, Zen Experiential Weekend, Wiyot

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will wield a competent knowledge of core Religious Studies concepts, aka religious literacy, including evaluating the impact of the world’s wisdom traditions upon real-world scenarios.
Graduates will perform worldview analysis, including solving real-world problems using research tools and methods.
Graduates will communicate effectively through written descriptive summary and analytical research papers.
Graduates will deliver information through oral presentations.
Graduates will present themselves professionally in the job market.