Major in Religious Studies
Religious Studies majors must complete 33 units of coursework, including 12 units from a set of Area Requirements. Three courses (9 units) at the introductory level are designed to provide students with broad, working knowledge of Western and Asian religious traditions. An advanced course at the 400 level (3 units) assumes knowledge and skills students will have acquired in their course work in Religious Studies. It engages students in critical reflection on religious phenomena broadly conceived and represents the culmination of their experience as Religious Studies Majors. Students are also required to complete 21 units of electives.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Area 1 | ||
| RLST 105 | INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION | 3 |
| RLST 470 | SEMINAR IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 3 |
| Area 2 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM | ||
| JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM | ||
| Area 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM | ||
| RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF ASIA | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 21 elective units. Minimum 15 units must be at the upper (300-400) level. Minimum 15 units must be selected from Religious Studies courses (maximum 6 units may be from related disciplines in consultation with advisers and with approval of the department chair.) | 21 | |
| Total Units | 33 | |
Departmental Honors Program
The Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies offers a departmental honors program for students who demonstrate exemplary abilities in religious studies. Students pursuing this option are required to complete RLST 498 with a minimum grade of A-. Completion of RLST 498 requires students to produce and defend a 15-20 page paper presenting substantial research in religious studies.
Applicants for departmental honors must have earned 75 units with a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, including 18 units in Religious Studies courses. In addition, applicants must find a faculty adviser to guide the thesis research and evaluate the final paper and thesis defense. Departmental honors are designated on the graduate's transcript for students earning a minimum A- grade in RLST 498. RLST 498 counts toward an upper level elective RLST course for the major.
To apply for departmental honors, students must complete an application with the department. Students who wish to take RLST 498 in the Fall term should apply during the previous spring by March 1. Students who wish to take RLST 498 in the Spring term should apply during the previous fall by Oct. 1.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework for Departmental Honors in Religious Studies | ||
| RLST 498 | HONORS THESIS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES | 3 |
Sample Four-Year Plan
The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | RLST 105 (Area 1) (Core 12) | 3 |
| Core 3 | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Core 6 | 3 | Core 11 | 3 |
| Core 7 | 4 | Core 14 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Select one of the following: (Area 2) | 3 | Select one of the following: (Area 3) | 3 |
RLST 202 (Core 5) | |||
RLST 206 (Core 13) | RLST 209 (Core 13) | ||
RLST 210 (Core 13) | RLST Elective | 3 | |
| RLST Elective | 3 | Core 8 | 4 |
| Core 5 (if not taken in Area 2) or Elective | 3 | Core 13 (if not taken in Area 2 / 3) or Elective | 3 |
| Core 9 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| RLST Elective | 3 | RLST Elective | 3 |
| RLST Elective | 3 | RLST Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| RLST 470 (Area 1) | 3 | RLST or other approved Elective | 3 |
| RLST or other approved Elective | 3 | RLST or other approved Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Units 120 | |||
- Demonstrate content knowledge of world religions.
- Demonstrate ability to compare culturally and historically diverse religious phenomena.
- Exhibit understanding of and apply methods utilized in the academic study of religion in the analysis, explanation, and/or critical evaluation of religious phenomena.
- Write clearly and persuasively for a variety of purposes and for different audiences, and revise and improve such texts.
- Read, interpret, analyze and evaluate written discourse.
- Engage intellectually and seek to understand the experiences and views of people with different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, whether in one’s own country or abroad.
- Make use of scholarly information sources and technologies both online and offline in order to access information effectively and evaluate critically the sources and content of that information.