Religious Studies

Subject abbreviation: RLST College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

June O’Connor, Ph.D., Chair Department Office, 3033 CHASS Interdisciplinary North

• (951) 827-3612; religiousstudies.ucr.edu

Professors June E. O’Connor, Ph.D. Pashaura Singh, Ph.D. Ivan A. Strenski, Ph.D. Holstein Family and Community Chair in Religious Studies Professors Emeriti Douglas M. Parrott, Ph.D. Brian K. Smith, Ph.D. Associate Professors Michael Alexander, Ph.D. Andrew Jacobs, Ph.D. Vivian-Lee Nyitray, Ph.D. Assistant Professors Muhamad Ali, Ph.D. Jennifer S. Hughes, Ph.D. Sherri Johnson, Ph.D. Justin McDaniel, Ph.D. Jonathan L. Walton, Ph.D.

The Department of Religious Studies provides an opportunity for students to gain a broad, cross- cultural perspective by studying the diverse reli- gious traditions of the world. Students examine the texts, symbols, myths, rituals, ideas, values, and ethical systems of many religious traditions, such as Judaism, Christ ianity, Islam, Hin d uism, Buddhism, Chin ese, African, and Native American religions.

Majoring in Religious Studies can be an excel- lent preparation for living in a multicultural society and for a variety of careers, such as teaching, counseling, business, law, writing, the arts, and professional religious leadership. Religious Studies at UCR develops in students a number of valuable and transferable skills such as disciplined attention to the facts (texts, ideas, history, behavior); critical reflection and analysis about claims of meaning and value and about assumptions and methods used in the study of religion; and descriptive and ana- lytical writing about religious history, ideas, motivations, practices, and ethical concerns. A minor in Religious Studies is also available. Students are encouraged to consult with the department chair and other faculty about their questions and interests.

The Holstein Family and Com munity Chair in Religious Studies The Holstein Fam ily and Community Chair in Religious Studies is an endowed faculty chair, the result of a generous contribution given by the Robert and Loretta Holstein family and by friends of the Holstein fam- ily and the university. Dr. Ivan Strenski, the chair, is a distinguished scholar and teacher whose work engages thought on the interactions of reli- gions and cultures as these are manifested in cul- tural, social, ethical, and historical debates.

The Rupert Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs The Rupert Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs is an endowed faculty chair made possible by the generosity of Ru pert Costo and Jeannette Henry Costo.

See Undergraduate Studies section.

See College of Human ities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Colleges and Programs section. Religious Studies / 379

The major requirements for the B.A. degree in Religious Studies are as follows:

• 1. Lower-division requirements (12 units)

• a) RLST 005

• b) RLST 012/ETST 012

• c) One additional 4-unit course in Religious

Studies or equivalent

• 2. Upper-division requirements (40 units)

• a) At least two courses from each of the fol-

lowing areas:

• (1) Eastern religions

• (2) Western religions

• (3) Themes in religions

• b) RLST 100 or RLST 102

• c) RLST 193 (Senior Seminar)

• d) Eight (8) additional units from Relig ious

Studies courses (closely related courses from other programs or dep artments may be substituted upon approval)

The programs of all majors should be developed in consultation with their advisors.

Art History/Religious Studies Major The Art History/Religious Studies Major com- bines the disciplinary interest in the history of the visual arts with its related religious content and background. Three concentrations are offered. Students must select one family of reli- gions, either Asian or Western, and combine it with the study of the history of the visual arts in the corresponding area of artistic endeavor. Or, students wishing to combine Asian and Wes - tern materials to serve a comparative purpose are invited to design their own major in consul- tation with faculty representatives from both departments. Stu dents are strongly encouraged to participate in the Education Abroad Program and in internships abroad. Students in this major will be well prepared for graduate studies in either art history or religious studies.

Major Requirements The major requirements for the B.A. degree in Art History/Religious Studies are as follows:

Asian Concentration (52 units)

• 1. Lower-division requirements (12 units)

• a) Art History (4 units): AHS 015

• b) Asian Studies (4 units):

AST 030/CHN 030

• c) Religious Studies (4 units): RLST 005

• 2. Upper- division requirements (40 units)

• a) Art History (16 units): AHS 140,

AHS 141, AHS 143, CPLT 141

• b) Religious Studies (24 units) choose from:

RLST 101, RLST 103, RLST 105, RLST 106, RLST 142/AST 142/CHN 142, RLST 144/CPLT 144

• 3. Optional 190 level work in either Art History

or Religious Studies Student-designed Comparative Concen tra tion (52 units)

• 1. Lower-division requirements (12 units)

• a) Art History, choose at least 4 units:

AHS 015, AHS 017A, AHS 017B, AHS 017C, AST 030/CHN 030

• b) Religious Studies, choose at least 4 units:

RLST 005, RLST 007, RLST 010

2.Upper- division requirements (40 units)

• a) Art History, choose at least 12 units:

AHS 140, AHS 141, AHS 143, AHS 155, AHS 156, AHS 157, AHS 159, AHS 161, AHS 162, AHS 164, AHS 171, AHS 172, CPLT 141

• b) Religious Studies, choose at least

12 units: RLST 100, RLST 101, RLST 103, RLST 105, RLST 106, RLST 111, RLST 121, RLST 128 (E-Z), RLST 130, RLST 131, RLST 135/ HISE 130, RLST 136, RLST 142/ AST 142/CHN 142, RLST 144/CPLT 144

• 3. Optional 190 level work in either Art History

or Religious Studies

Western Concentration (52 units)

• 1. Lower-division requirements (16 units)

• a) Art History (12 units): AHS 017A,

AHS 017B, AHS 017C

• b) Religious Studies (4 units) choose from:

RLST 007, RLST 010

• 2. Upper- division requirements (36 units)

• a) Art History (16 units) choose from:

AHS 155, AHS 156, AHS 157, AHS 159, AHS 161, AHS 162, AHS 164, AHS 171, AHS 172

• b) Religious Studies (20 units) choose from:

RLST 100, RLST 111, RLST 121, RLST 128 (E-Z), RLST 130, RLST 131, RLST 135/HISE 130, RLST 136

• 3. Optional 190 level work in either Art History

or Religious Studies

Requirements for a minor in Religious Studies are as follows:

• 1. Lower-division requirements (12 units)

• a) RLST 005

• b) RLST 012/ETST 012

• c) One additional 4-unit course in Religious

Studies

• 2. Upper-division requirements (16 units)

• a) Twelve (12) units consisting of one course

from each of the following three areas:

• (1) Eastern religions

• (2) Western religions

• (3) Themes in religions

• b) Four (4) upper-division units from those

courses approved for the Religious Studies major See Minors under the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences in the Colleges and Programs section of this catalog for additional information on minors.

The EAP is an excellent opportunity to travel and learn more about another country and its culture while taking courses to earn units toward gradu- ation. Stu dents should plan study abroad well in advance to en sure that the courses taken fit with their overall program at UCR. Con sult the departmental student affairs officer for assistance. For further details visit UCR’s International Education Center at internationalcenter.ucr.edu or call (951) 827-4113.

See Education Abroad Program under International Education Center in the Student Services section of this catalog. A list of partici- pating countries is found under Education Abroad Program in the Programs and Courses section. Search for programs by specific areas at eap.ucop.edu/programwizard.