Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

The Religious Studies major is designed to provide a liberal arts education with an emphasis on the critical study of religion, culture, and society. 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.

Orange structure in a lake with mountains in the background

The department encourages students to draw upon a variety of fields and disciplines for their study of religion, including anthropology, psychology, sociology, gender studies, environmental humanities, and more. 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 and minor are applicable to many other areas in the academic, business, and professional spheres. Religious Studies majors have pursued careers in government, business, education, communications, human services, and law.

Program Requirements

1. Lower Division Required Courses (6 units)

RS 100 Introduction to Religious Studies (3)

Select one course from the following:

2. Upper Division (36 units)

a. Required Junior-Level Course (3 units)

RS 395 Theory and Method in Religious Studies (3)

b. Upper Division Electives (30 units)

Choose from any upper division Religious Studies courses through consultation with the department chair. Up to two upper division courses (totaling 6 units) in Jewish Studies (JS) will count toward RS electives. Six units of the study of a foreign language at the university level (or its equivalent) may be used for one 3 unit elective in the major. Consult with the department chair for approval.

c. Proseminar (3 units)

RS 497B Proseminar in Religious Studies (3)

3. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

If taken, JS 300 satisfies C1 Arts or C2 Humanities and fulfills the Information Competence requirement; RS 100, RS 101 or RS 307 satisfies C2 Humanities; RS 240 satisfies D1 Social Sciences; RS 150, RS 306, RS 365, RS 378, RS 380, RS 385 and/or RS 390 satisfies 3-6 units of F Comparative Cultural Studies (RS 306, RS 378 or RS 390 also fulfills the Information Competence requirement).

Total Units in the Major: 42
General Education Units: 48
Additional Units: 30
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

Department Chair