Humanities – Religion and Culture Concentration, BA

Department of Liberal Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

63-71 credits (including core courses)

Introduction

The two concentrations for a BA in humanities provide interdisciplinary study of the humanities (philosophy, religion, history, literature and the arts) in Western and other civilizations. The major emphasizes critical reading, analysis and writing and culminates in a senior paper written under advisement. It provides skills and habits of mind which have proved broadly useful in a variety of professional careers, in both public and private settings, and it prepares students for knowledgeable participation in civic life. The major also proved to be excellent preparation for graduate study in law, library science, history, English, comparative literature, and religion.

The Religion and Culture Concentration provides scholarly, critical, nonsectarian study of religions. Students study religious beliefs, practices, identities and organizations, and how they have influenced and been influenced by other aspects of society and culture. The concentration includes a broad survey of Western civilization as a basis for understanding its religious traditions. Students also become familiar with religious traditions in non-Western civilizations, and with their modern interactions and changes. Students study the origin, history, and methods of the academic study of religion as it has developed in Europe and North America. They are introduced to methodological issues in the study of religion, and learn to use methods appropriate to different kinds of problems.

For information or advisement, contact the Liberal Studies Office.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

An average grade of B in liberal studies courses is required for admission to LBRL 302. (NOTE: LBRL 302 is ordinarily offered spring quarter only.) LBRL 302 is prerequisite to LBRL 421, 422, 423, 424. LBRL 498 (2 credits) should be taken with a liberal studies faculty member in the quarter prior to enrolling in LBRL 499, to prepare for the latter. It is recommended that students undertake study of a foreign language concurrently with the major.