Religious Studies
Catalog pages 400-401
Subject abbreviation: RLST College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Vivian-Lee Nyitray, 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 Joel W. Martin, Ph.D. Douglas M. Parrott, Ph.D. Brian K. Smith, Ph.D. Associate Professors Michael Alexander, Ph.D. Vivian-Lee Nyitray, Ph.D. Assistant Professors Muhamad Ali, Ph.D. Jennifer S. Hughes, Ph.D. Sherri Johnson, Ph.D.
Major
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 variety of valuable and transferable skills. These include disciplined attention to the facts (texts, ideas, history, behavior); critical reflec- tion and analysis about claims of meaning and value and about assumptions and methods used in the study of religion; and descriptive and analytical writing about religious history, ideas, motivations, practices, and ethical con- cerns. 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 Dr. Jasbir Singh Saini Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies The Dr. Jasbir Singh Saini Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies is the result of a generous contribution given by the Saini Foundation, the Sikh Foundation and by a number of individuals and the University. It honors the memory of the late Dr. Jasbir Singh Saini, who was a cardiologist in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Pashaura Singh has been appointed to the Chair and is a leading scholar and teacher whose work in the field of Adi Granth studies is internationally acclaimed. For more information on the Endowed Chair, please visit the following website: http://www.religiousstudies.ucr.edu/SPS/index.html.
University Requirements
See Undergraduate Studies section.
College Requirements
See College of Human ities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Colleges and Programs section.
Major Requirements
The major requirements for the B.A. degree in Religious Studies are as follows:
- 1. Lower-division requirements (12 units)
- a) RLST 005
- 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: Religious Studies / 401
- (1) Eastern religions
- (2) Western religions
- (3) Themes in religions
- 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):
- c) Religious Studies (4 units): RLST 005
- 2. Upper- division requirements (40 units)
- a) Art History (16 units): AHS 140,
- 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:
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,
- b) Religious Studies (4 units) choose from:
- 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
Minor
Requirements for a minor in Religious Studies are as follows:
- 1. Lower-division requirements (12 units)
- a) RLST 005
- 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.
Education Abroad Program
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.