Undergraduate Program in Religious Studies
Brianne Donaldson, Director
200 Murray Krieger Hall
949-824-6521
www.humanities.uci.edu/religiousstudies
UCI's Religious Studies program offers a critical multidisciplinary lens into world religions, history, global philosophies, and culture.
Students critically analyze multiple global traditions using diverse interdisciplinary theories and methods. These traditions include, but are not limited to, internally diverse communities of Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous and Native traditions, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, New Religious Movements, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism.
Far from dismissing religion as an irrelevant factor in society, students develop skills in writing, speaking, cross-cultural dialog, and/or research to effectively communicate the value of a global study of religions for public life and global citizenship.
Our Religious Studies student research hub links faculty mentors with students across campus interested in conducting research projects in the study of religion and current projects can be seen on our homepage.
Recent students have combined their Religious Studies major or minor (or new three-class certificate) with degrees in chemistry, neurobiology, psychology, mathematics, business administration, political science, history, art, and other programs. These combinations enable students to enrich their resumes and job prospects with cross-cultural fluency, interdisciplinary rigor, and greater comfort with complexity.
Categories and Approved Courses
Our program is unique because our core and affiliated faculty come from disciplines across campus. This means you'll be able to choose from our four required courses (offered annually) as well as unique one-of-a-kind courses such as Religion and Economics, History of the Devil, Animal Ethics, Middle East Conflict, and Native American Science Fiction, among many others. For complete up-to-date information on approved courses each quarter, please consult the Religious Studies website.
Courses
REL STD 5A. World Religions I. 4 Units.
An introduction to the history, doctrine, culture, and writing of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Same as HISTORY 16A
(IV and VIII)
REL STD 5B. World Religions II. 4 Units.
An introduction to various religious traditions in selected areas of the world—including India and South Asia, East Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Same as HISTORY 16B
(IV and VIII)
REL STD 5C. Religious Dialogue. 4 Units.
Lectures and discussion on controversial topics in religion: sexual morality; religious violence; science; treatment of women and girls; religious truth, American Constitutional matters; secularization; the future of religion, and other topics.
Same as HISTORY 16C
(IV and VIII)
REL STD 17. An Economic Approach to Religion. 4 Units.
Introduction to how basic economic concepts such as demand, supply, consumption, production, competition, free-riding, innovation, regulation, and rent-seeking can be applied to understand observed religious behavior.
Same as ECON 17
(III)
REL STD 21. Philosophy and Religion. 4 Units.
Examines the intersection of religion and philosophy from a standpoint that does not presuppose previous academic study of either. Both Western and Eastern traditions and perspectives may be explored.
Same as PHILOS 21
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary
(IV)
REL STD 60. Global Themes in Sikh Studies. 4 Units.
Serves as an introduction to Sikhism and the field of Sikh Studies. Examines the development of the religious tradition and the formation of the scholarly field of Sikh Studies in the contemporary Western university.
Same as ANTHRO 60
(III and (VII or VIII).)
REL STD 61. Gender and Religion. 4 Units.
Introduces the topic of religion in a feminist context by performing cross-cultural exploration of gender, authority, and faith in various traditions. Study includes (but is not limited to) writings of contemporary Jewish, Christian, and Muslim feminists.
Same as GEN&SEX 60C
(III and VIII.)
REL STD 100. Topics in the Study of Religion. 4 Units.
The intersection of religious belief and practices with selected subjects of continuing interest.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 103. Topics in the Philosophy of Religion. 4 Units.
Critical examination of philosophical concepts in religious scripture and theology, e.g., the nature and existence of God, miracles, the problem of evil, and divine command theories in ethics. May include any religious tradition.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 110W. Thinking about Religion: Theories and Methodologies. 4 Units.
A survey and investigation of the major thinkers, theories, and methodologies in the study of religions. Designed to develop the student's ability to analyze and articulate theoretical arguments in writing; includes a paper on relevant Religious Studies topics.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Overlaps with REL STD 110.
Restrictions: Religious Studies majors have the first consideration for enrollment.
(Ib)
REL STD 115. Religion and World Politics. 4 Units.
Examines the relationship between religion and world politics historically and today, focusing on connections with peace/war, democracy, human rights, secularism(s), and globalization. Covers major debates, scholarship, concepts, and theories through class exercises, exams, and essays.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 41A or INTL ST 11 or INTL ST 12 or REL STD 5A or REL STD 5B or REL STD 5C.
REL STD 120. Topics in Asian Religious Traditions. 4 Units.
Studies involving (but not limited to) Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism, Shinto or Shamanism, including both elite and doctrinal aspects and forms of more popular religiosity.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 122. Ancient India. 4 Units.
Examines the visual and religious history of the region defined as "India" today, but necessarily encompassing modern Bangladesh and Pakistan. Culminates with the supposed Golden Age of the Gupta empire and its far-reaching legacies.
Same as ART HIS 155A, HISTORY 170A
Concurrent: ART HIS 255A
REL STD 123. Medieval India. 4 Units.
Begins with the Gupta period's aesthetic legacies in South Asia's architecture, sculpture, and painting. Explores the dispersal of Islam throughout South Asia, including the Muslim communities of southern India.
Same as ART HIS 155B, HISTORY 170B
Concurrent: ART HIS 255B
REL STD 124. Topics in Modern Indian Religion. 4 Units.
Topics in religions of the Indian subcontinent including, but not confined to, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, and Buddhism from the founding of the Mughal Empire in 1526 to the creation of the several modern states of the Indian subcontinent.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 125. Jain History, Culture, and Ethics. 4 Units.
Introduces history, texts, philosophy, culture, and ethical practices of the Jain tradition as it developed in India and now exists globally, including in Orange County.
Concurrent: REL STD 225
REL STD 126. Topics in Jain Studies. 4 Units.
Studies involving aspects of the Jain tradition in relation to philosophy, ethics, culture, ritual, art, or diaspora, and/or analyses of environment, gender, or in relation to other Indian traditions.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
Concurrent: REL STD 226
REL STD 130. Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Religious Traditions. 4 Units.
Character and evolution of Egyptian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Muslim, and other religious communities of the region from their formative periods to the present era.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 130D. History of Antisemitism. 4 Units.
Survey of the history of antisemitism, ancient to modern. Topics include medieval religious anti-Judaism, persecution of Jews and Judaism during the Crusades and the Inquisition, the rise of modern racial antisemitism, Nazi antisemitism, and the persistence of antisemitism since 1945.
Same as HISTORY 130D
REL STD 130F. Jews and Power. 4 Units.
Examines the relationship between the Jewish people and political power over a 3500 year period. How have Jews preserved their communal interests and personal safety? How have they defined the proper relationship of the people to political authority?
Same as POL SCI 154J, HISTORY 130F
REL STD 131A. History of Zoroastrianism. 4 Units.
Reviews major trends in the history of Zoroastrianism.
Same as HISTORY 131A
REL STD 140. Early Western Religious Traditions. 4 Units.
Religious perspectives of the Mediterranean and European regions from the earliest times to approximately 1500 C.E.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 150. Religion in the Americas. 4 Units.
Religious belief and social context in North and South America from the earliest human societies to the present.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 155. Topics in Race and Religion. 4 Units.
Critical analysis of race and religion as expressed through (1) various structures of socio-political ordering, metaphysics, language, class, colorism, power, biology, nationalism, and culture, and (2) various expressions of moral philosophy, ethics, music, literature, arts, rituals, liberation, and revolution.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
Concurrent: REL STD 255
REL STD 165. Topics in Religion and Science. 4 Units.
Examinations of the dynamic interplay between religion and science, including historical conflicts, contemporary dialogues, and ethical implications. Classes analyze how these two realms shape our understanding of the universe, humanity, and morality.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
Concurrent: REL STD 265
REL STD 170. Topics in Comparative Studies in Religion. 4 Units.
Literary, historical, or philosophical comparison of selected religious and quasi-religious traditions, their beliefs and practices.
Repeatability: May be taken 3 times as topics vary
REL STD 175. Medical Ethics. 4 Units.
Analysis of moral issues concerning health care. Topics may include just allocation of scarce medical resources, the doctor/patient relationship, genetic engineering, surrogate motherhood, abortion, euthanasia, or social policy concerning AIDS.
Same as PHILOS 131C
REL STD 199. Independent Study. 1-4 Units.
Directed reading and research in consultation with a faculty member. Substantial written work required.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary
REL STD 225. Jain History, Culture, and Ethics. 4 Units.
Introduces history, texts, philosophy, culture, and ethical practices of the Jain Tradition as it developed in India and now exists globally, including in Orange County.
Concurrent: REL STD 125
REL STD 226. Topics in Jain Studies. 4 Units.
Studies involving aspects of the Jain tradition in relation to philosophy, ethics, culture, ritual, art, or diaspora, and/or analyses of environment, gender, or in relation to other Indian traditions.
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times as topics vary
Concurrent: REL STD 126
REL STD 255. Topics in Race and Religion. 4 Units.
Critical analysis of race and religion as expressed through (1) various structures of socio-political ordering, metaphysics, language, class, colorism, power, biology, nationalism, and culture, and (2) various expressions of moral philosophy, ethics, music, literature, arts, rituals, liberation, and revolution.
Concurrent: REL STD 155
REL STD 265. Topics in Religion and Science. 4 Units.
Examinations of the dynamic interplay between religion and science, including historical conflicts, contemporary dialogues, and ethical implications. Classes analyze how these two realms shape our understanding of the universe, humanity, and morality.
Concurrent: REL STD 165
REL STD 399. University Teaching . 4 Units.
Limited to teaching assistants.
Grading Option: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only
Repeatability: May be taken unlimited times