Religious Studies
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo
Religious Studies Program
HUM 388
Phone: (415) 338-1596
Coordinator: Mohammad Azadpur
Undergraduate Advisors: Justin Tiwald
Program Scope
The Minor in Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to study the full spectrum of humankind’s religious heritage from an interdisciplinary perspective. Religion is an individual and social phenomenon, and the curriculum takes students through both realms. Students investigate basic value questions from the viewpoint of religion, of disciplines looking at religion, and of the individual in a pluralistic, unsettled world. More than half the minor's coursework is individually selected in consultation with an advisor, though course subject matter must encompass the different dimensions of the religious experience as listed on the "Courses" page. Students may choose to focus their coursework on a specific religious tradition such as Judaism, Islam, Christianity, or Buddhism; a particular issue common to different religions; or a particular culture or historical period.
As an interdisciplinary minor, Religious Studies can be taken in conjunction with any major.
Career Outlook
The Religious Studies minor provides an excellent background for those considering the ministry, social work, counseling, politics, law, or teaching at any level. Regardless of career path, the Religious Studies minor may benefit a student's view of the meaning and purpose of life.
Religious Studies Minor - 21 units
A minimum of 6 upper-division units are required to complete the minor.
All coursework used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Introduction to Religious Traditions (3 units)
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
PHIL 502 | World Religions | 3 |
or comparable course completed at another institution |
The Nature of Religious Experience (3 units)
Select One:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
PHIL 500 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
PHIL 525/RELS 300 | The Nature of Religious Experience | 3 |
The Dimensions of Religious Experience (12 units)
Select one course from each of the following categories. No more than two courses from a single discipline.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
The Expressive Dimensions of Religious Experience | ||
ARTH 202 | Western Art History II | 3 |
ARTH/HUM 205 | Asian Art History | 3 |
CWL 260 | Myths of the World | 3 |
DANC 430 | Historical Survey of Dance in the Western World | 3 |
DANC/ANTH 657 | Ethnography of Dance | 3 |
ENG 503 | Studies in Medieval Literature | 3 |
ENG 525 | Studies in American Literature | 3 |
ENG 580 | Individual Authors | 3 |
ENG 589 | Milton | 3 |
MUS 505 | Music of the World's Peoples | 3 |
TH A 401 | Global Theatre History I | 3 |
The Study of Particular Religious Traditions | ||
AFRS 326 | Black Religion | 3 |
AIS 310 | American Indian Religion and Philosophy | 3 |
AIS 450 | American Indian Science | 3 |
CLAS 230 | Ancient Epic Tales | 3 |
ENG 501 | Age of Chaucer | 3 |
ENG 630 | Selected Studies | 3 |
HIST 110 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
HIST 111 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
HIST 321 | Hellenistic Greece | 3 |
HIST 326 | The Byzantine Empire | 3 |
HIST 328 | Pagans and Christians in a Changing Roman World | 3 |
HIST 329 | Early Christian Church 313-787 | 3 |
HIST 331/HUM 404 | The High Middle Ages | 3 |
HIST 336 | 3 | |
HIST/HUM 480 | Thought and Culture in America to 1880 | 3 |
HUM 403/HIST 330 | Vikings, Caliphs, & Carolingians: Europe in the Early Middle Ages | 3 |
HUM 404/HIST 331 | The High Middle Ages | 3 |
JS 410/PHIL 514 | Kabbalah, Jewish Mysticism, and Literature | 3 |
JS 425/PHIL 552 | 3 | |
JS/PHIL/HUM 501 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
PHIL 302 | Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 436 | Islamic Political Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 509 | The Buddhist Tradition | 3 |
PHIL 511 | Chinese Philosophy and Religion | 3 |
PHIL 516 | Islamic Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 530 | 3 | |
WGS 565 | Muslim Feminisms | 3 |
The Study of Religious Phenomena: Disciplinary Perspectives | ||
HUM 345 | Humanism and Mysticism | 3 |
PHIL 500 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
The Senior Experience (3 units)
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
RELS 696 | 3 |
RELS 265 Christmas and Hanukkah in the United States (Units: 3)
Examination of the social, political, and cultural history of Christmas and Hanukkah in the United States from the colonial period to the present day. Focus on the relationship between religion, politics, commerce, and popular culture, including gender roles and the changing role of religious, ethnic, and racial minorities in U.S. public culture.
(This course is offered as JS 265, AMST 265, HIST 265, and RELS 265. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- U.S. History
- D2: Social Sciences: US Hist.
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
RELS 300 The Nature of Religious Experience (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as PHIL 525 and RELS 300. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
- UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
- Global Perspectives
RELS 482 Religion in America (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; GE Area E; or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as HIST 482 and RELS 482. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- U.S. History
RELS 503 Religions in Iran (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as PRSN 503 [formerly PRSN 450], PHIL 503, and RELS 503. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
- Global Perspectives