L&S MAJORS

Religious Studies offers a broad background in the liberal arts while at the same time allowing students to focus on a thematic concern for a particular religious tradition. It views religion from a global perspective and combines aspects of the humanities and the social sciences. The major is open to anyone concerned about the symbolic and mythic dimensions of world cultures, the valuative level of existential issues, and the ethical aspects of human societies. It is not restricted to those who have a religious background or are pursuing a religious vocation. The program challenges students to view religion multiculturally and from critical as well as appreciative perspectives.

The program requires both a general understanding of the study of religion as well as a particular emphasis on one specific tradition or thematic concern. The general requirement involves courses that present the methodological approaches to the study of religion such as sociology of religion and psychology of religion and courses that examine thematic issues and cross-cultural phenomena such as myth, ritual, transformative experience, and comparative ethics. The religious traditions that may be included as major fields of emphasis or as supplementary courses include the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions, as well as the religious cultures of China, Japan, Africa, and the Americas.

Lower Division Requirements for the Religious Studies Major

• 90A-90B (need not be taken consecutively. Students may declare the major after completing or while enrolled in either of these courses.)

Departmental Contact

Marty Gaetjens
sfyankee@berkeley.edu
301 Campbell Hall
(510) 642-2363

General Catalog Description

http://sis.berkeley.edu/catalog/gcc_view_req?p_dept_cd=RELIGST

Departmental Website

http://ls.berkeley.edu/ugis/religiousstudies/

Other Majors to Consider

Classics
Philosophy
Art History
Peace & Conflict Studies
Rhetoric
Psychology