Bachelor of Arts Major in Religious Studies

The Department of Religious Studies challenges students to study the religious practices, beliefs, institutions, and texts of ancient and modern societies. Through these studies, students learn about the religious phenomena that have shaped human civilizations. In addition to deep knowledge of this religious and cultural activity, our students acquire intellectual skills that serve them throughout their educational endeavors and beyond. Religion has historically shaped and continues to influence cultures and institutions worldwide. It is useful to explore spiritual traditions in order to examine ultimate religious and ethical questions. Our coursework provides perspectives that prepare citizen-leaders to engage these matters in a thoughtful, humane, historically broad and intellectually rigorous manner. A typical course in the Department includes students from various backgrounds and academic disciplines, and it affords significant opportunity for inter-disciplinary discussion. Career Opportunities A major in Religious Studies provides groundwork for students to be citizen-leaders in various careers. These possible career paths include ministry or a church-related vocation, teaching, journalism, publishing, film, law, government, business, non-profit organizations, social work, nursing, and medicine. Critical Analysis and Communication Students can write effective analytical essays and research papers. Students can articulate ideas clearly in small groups and in public presentations. Students can read a wide range of texts with retention and critical, analytical comprehension Cultural Sensitivity Students can describe and analyze the workings of a specific religious and/or classical tradition, group, movement, or issue. Students can describe and compare several religious and/or classical traditions, movements, and issues. Students can identify, analyze, and compare the influence of culture on religious texts, rites, beliefs, and ethics. Students can identify, analyze, and compare the influence of religion on social structures, practices, and values. Inquiry and Research Students can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theories and methods for the study of religion and/or classics. Students can develop viable research projects and utilize appropriate analytical methods. Bachelor of Arts Major in Religious Studies Students must complete a minimum of 124 units with a Pacific cumulative and major/program grade point average of 2.0 in order to earn the bachelor of arts degree with a major in religious studies. Although not required, the Department strongly encourages students to take advantage of education abroad opportunities.