Religious Studies

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

Pashaura Singh, Ph.D., Chair Department Office, 3033C CHASS Interdisciplinary North pashaura.singh@ucr.edu

• (951) 827-1251; religiousstudies.ucr.edu

Professors Pashaura Singh, Ph.D. Ivan A. Strenski, Ph.D. Holstein Family and Community Chair in Religious Studies Professors Emeriti Joel W. Martin, Ph.D. Vivian-Lee Nyitray, Ph.D. June E. O’Connor, Ph.D. Douglas M. Parrott, Ph.D. Brian K. Smith, Ph.D. Associate Professors Michael Alexander, Ph.D. Assistant Professors Muhamad Ali, Ph.D. Amanda Lucia, Ph.D. Sherri Johnson, Ph.D.

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

Majoring in Religious Studies can be an excellent 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 reflection 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 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 Community Chair in Religious Studies The Holstein Family 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 family and the university. Dr. Ivan Strenski, the chair, is a distinguished scholar and teacher whose work engages thought on the interactions of religions and cultures as these are manifested in cultural, 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.

See Undergraduate Studies section.

See College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Colleges and Programs section.

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 or RLST 012W/ETST 012W

• 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

following 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 Religious

Studies courses (closely related courses from other programs or departments 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 combines 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 religions, 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 Western materials to serve a comparative purpose are invited to design their own major in consultation with faculty representatives from both departments. Students are encouraged to include study abroad as part of their major and should plan well in advance to ensure that the courses taken fit with their overall program at UCR. 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 Concentration (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 or RLST 012W/ETST 012W

• 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.

TThe EAP is an excellent opportunity to travel and learn more about another country and its culture while taking courses to earn units toward graduation. Students should plan study abroad well in advance to ensure that the courses taken fit with their overall program at UCR. Consult the departmental student affairs officer for assistance. For further details, visit UCR’s Off Campus Academic Experiences at eapoap.ucr.edu or call (951) 827-2508.

See Education Abroad Program in the Educational Opportunities section of this catalog. A list of participating countries is found under Education Abroad Program in the Programs and Courses section. Search for programs by specific areas at eap.ucop.edu/ ourprograms.