Program Offerings

RS Major
RS Double Major with RS as the second major
RS Minor

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

The RS major is designed to provide a liberal arts education with an emphasis upon Religious Studies phenomena. The major provides an excellent basis from which to pursue careers requiring imagination, problem solving, communication skills, and awareness of human diversity. The major provides, a broad background for advanced work in professional and social fields, and preparation for graduate work in Religious Studies and related disciplines.

The department encourages students to draw upon a variety of fields and disciplines for their study of religion, including Anthropology, African-American Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Art and Literature. This interdisciplinary and multi-cultural aspect makes religious studies an excellent field for a general liberal arts education.

Skills gained in the Religious Studies major or minor are applicable to many other areas in the academic, business, and professional spheres, and Religious Studies majors have pursued careers in government, business, education, communications, human services, and law.

Our classes are scheduled for late afternoon and evening to allow for completion of the major for working students.

Classes are offering during Fall, Spring, and Summer. See the class schedule for current and future class offerings.

Current requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (Word).

The major in Religious Studies consists of 42 units: 6 units of lower division, and 36 units of upper division courses concentrated in 5 core areas.

• Lower Division (6 units)
  RS 100 Introduction to Religious Studies
  RS 101 The Bible
  RS 150 World Religions
  RS 240 Approaches to the History of Religion
• Upper Division (36 units)
• Theory and Method in Religious Studies ( 3 units)
• Religion in the United States (6 units)
• Religious Traditions ( 9 units)
• Sacred Texts of the World (3 units)
• Upper Division Electives (12 units)

RS 497B (Proseminar) is required for all majors and is offered in the spring semester only. ( 3 units)

Religious Studies Major Worksheet for Graduation

Total units for the B.A. in Religious Studies - 42 units

Total units for General Education - 48 units

Double Major in Religious Studies(with RS as the second major)

Considering a Double Major in Religious Studies? Great choice! Religious Studies covers a wide range of fascinating courses on religions and religious phenomena from around the world that complement other majors. The major in Religious Studies is also recognized by Graduate Schools and many major businesses as well suited for advanced studies and international business relations. RS provides the necessary critical thinking skills for all fields of research--including medical school--and equips majors for jobs requiring sensitivity for multi-cultural transactions and dialog.

The double major in Religious Studies provides an intercultural and multi-disciplinary liberal arts education and compliments many majors and facilitates understanding and knowledge of different cultures .

 A major in Religious studies also improves ones reading, writing, discussion, and analytical skills.

Units earned in the double major are applicable towards General Education Credit including 3 units of Title V requirements and Critical Reasoning (G.E.: A2).

The Double Major in Religious Studies consists of 36 units with 3 units in Lower Division, 24 units in core courses, and only 9 units of electives in order to obtain a B.A. in Religious Studies.

Current requirements for a double major in RS (Word).

 

The Minor in Religious Studies

Did you know that you can fulfill 15 units of G.E. requirements and with only one more course complete a minor?

In addition you can meet all uppder division GE requirements with Religious Studies courses.

For S2 take two of the following (6 units):
RS 100 Introduction to Religious Studies
RS 101 The bible
RS 304 Women and Religion
RS 307 Religion in America
RS 310 Religion and Literature
RS 356 Contemporary Religious Thought
RS 361 Contemporary Ethical Issues

For S5 take two of the following (6 units):
RS 150 World Religions
RS 306 American Religious Diversity
RS 365 Islam
RS 378 American Jewish Experience
RS 380 Asian Religions
RS 385 Hinduism
RS 390 Buddhism

For D take (3 units):
RS 240 Approaches to the History of Religion

Total units for GE: 15 units
Remaining units for Minor: 3 units

Why minor in Religious Studies?

Many students decide that they would benefit from a minor, a formal program of study in a field other than their major. The name (or term) minor refers to the smaller number of units in the program, as compared with the major. A minor may be required of students in certain majors, but for most students, it is optional.

Students who voluntarily choose a minor typically do so from personal interest in the field or because a minor can provide them with a recognized field of secondary knowledge that may be attractive to employers and to graduate/professional schools. A student who plans to complete a minor should choose it early so that General Education classes can be selected to satisfy requirements for both GE and the minor simultaneously. The student must formally notify the University when choosing a minor by filing a Change of Minor form with Admissions and Records. The name of the completed minor is notated on the student’s transcript at graduation.

We live in a world of many cultures. Each of these cultures is shaped by a least one religion and often more than one. A minor in Religious Studies can bring an important dimension of multi-cultural awareness to a major in any other discipline and the issues raised by the study of religion and the investigation of these issues involve factual discovery and conceptual insight.

The Religious Studies Minor helps develop critical thinking and writing skills, critical historical analysis, socio-cultural analysis and comparative analysis of the "other". Anyone who will need to know something of the beliefs, rituals and moral values of other people in order to better appreciate different cultural patterns and individual aspirations would benefit from a Religious Studies Minor to supplements one's major.

A minor in RS consists of 3 units of lower division and 15 units of upper division credit. With approval of the department advisor, students may apply an Experimental Topics course (RS 396A-Z) to fulfill the requirements of the minor.

Requirements for a minor in Religious Studies (Word).

Beginning Fall 2010 - Earn an RS Minor totally online!