2023-24 Edition

Religious Studies, Minor

Religious Studies includes a comparative focus on world religions, emphasizing broad cultural understanding, exposure to global philosophies, and clear written expression. Religious Studies graduates bring these skills, along with cultural fluency, and greater comfort with complexity, to their next phase of life.

Many Religious Studies students combine religious studies with other majors and minors including English, art, philosophy, biology, mathematics, business administration, history, political science, sociology, and psychology. These combinations provide a unique educational experience in the liberal arts that opens doors for many vocational paths.

Religious Studies students may focus on various areas that reflect their interests, such as World Religions, Judaism/Christianity/Islam, Jainism and South Asia, and Religion and Environment. Talk to the director to explore these options.

Requirements for the Minor
A. Complete:
REL STD 5A World Religions I
REL STD 5B World Religions II
REL STD 5C Religious Dialogue
REL STD 110 Thinking about Religion: Theories and Methodologies
or REL STD 110W Thinking about Religion: Theories and Methodologies
B. Three upper-division electives selected from the two categories under B in the B.A. in Religious Studies, including at least one course from both categories 1 and 2. Other courses may be applied by petition with approval from the Program Director. One relevant lower-division course may be substituted for an upper-division course, with prior approval.

Residence Requirement for the Minor: Four upper-division courses required for the minor must be completed successfully at UCI. Two of the four may be taken through the UC Education Abroad Program, provided course content is approved by the Director of the Religious Studies program.