Undergraduate majors may work towards the honors distinction, and there are several departmental awards given each spring for outstanding achievement. Students who study religion gain critical thinking skills, cultural understanding, historical comprehension, perspective, empathetic literacy and nuanced communication skills.

What careers do Religious Studies majors pursue after graduating?

  • Advertisement and Publishing
  • Business and Marketing
  • Communication and Arts
  • Education
  • Government Agencies
  • Health Care
  • Human Rights
  • International Work
  • Law and Policy
  • Media and Journalism
  • Non-profits
  • Psychology
  • Religious Vocations
  • Social Services

Requirements

The major requires completion of eight lower-division units (two courses); and 36 upper-division units – about nine courses. Students should consult the current General Catalog or meet with the undergraduate advisor about course distribution requirements.

Areas of Study: An Overview

A significant portion of the Religious Studies B.A. (UD Area A) requires students to pick 2 areas of emphasis and one elective from any category. Students can concentrate in several areas of study including:

Area A-1: South Asian, Central Asian, and East Asian traditions
Area A-2: Near Eastern, Jewish, and Islamic traditions
Area A-3: Mediterranean, European, and Christian traditions
Area A-4: Traditions of the Americas

A student’s primary emphasis can be achieved by taking 3 classes in the same area of emphasis, while the secondary emphasis is achieved by taking 2 courses in another area. Students may also pursue a unique emphasis under the following category:

Area A-5: Comparative & Thematic Studies. 

*Students pursuing this option will still need to complete their Area B credit independent of their emphasis.

Comparative & Thematic Studies

By petition students may combine any courses from upper-division Areas A and B to create
a custom comparative or thematic course of study. Some pre-approved tracks do exist, however. Examples of potential thematic tracks emphases include but are not limited to:

  • Religion, Gender & Sexuality
  • Religion, Ethics & Politics
  • Religious Art, Media & Iconography

Pre-approved courses for these three tracks can be found on this webpage. Remember that students may also work with faculty to craft their own unique emphasis by petition, however.

For more information on examples of approved tracks and how to apply courses towards this Area, please reach out the the Undergraduate Program Coordinator/Advisor (contact information provided below).

Capstone Experience

All students must complete Problems in the Study of Religion (RG ST 104) in their Junior or Senior year or write a Senior Honors thesis (RG ST 195) under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The department recommends that all students complete RG ST 104 in their Junior year and that honors students complete RG ST 104 in addition to writing a Senior Honors thesis. Major students wishing to enroll in RG ST 104 should reach out to the Undergraduate advisor for an approval code. 

Advising

The department’s undergraduate advisor helps students plan their course of study. The department chair and other faculty members also assist students with academic planning. Student interested in learning more about the major or department can contact Alexis Beeson, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, at abeeson@hfa.ucsb.edu.