Minor in Religious Studies

A Religious Studies minor is a complement to many majors throughout the University. Students contemplating the minor are invited to consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The Undergraduate Student Services Officer in Building 70 can also field questions regarding the declaration procedure within the department.

Laying Foundation:

Greater than or equal to 2 courses at the 1-99 level 

(No more than 1 IntroSem)

Building Expertise:

Greater than or equal to 3 courses 100-289

(At least 1 must be at the 200-level)

Degree Requirements

A minor in Religious Studies requires a minimum of 28 units. Students are encouraged to focus their program of study either on a religious tradition or on a theme that cuts across traditions. In consultation with their minor advisor, students may design the minor in Religious Studies to complement their major. The minor must be declared no later than the last day of the quarter, two quarters before degree conferral.

Required Courses for the Minor

  1. Two courses (3-5 units each) from courses numbered RELIGST 1-99, only one of which may be an Introductory Seminar.
  2. Three courses (4-5 units each) from courses numbered RELIGST 100-289, of which at least one must be at the 200-level.
  3. The remainder of the coursework needed to bring the total Religious Studies unit count to 28 is to be chosen according to interest, in consultation with the student's minor advisor.

Additional Regulations

  1. With the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, one language course relating to the student's program of study (such as Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Chinese, Persian, or Japanese), but not counted towards the University language requirement, may be counted towards the minor.
  2. No courses may be taken for the grade of 'S/NC' or 'CR/NC.'
  3. One course in directed reading (RELIGST 199 Individual Work) may be counted towards the minor
  4. Students must ensure that their total complement of Religious Studies courses is not focused on a single religious tradition
  5. Variations to the required distribution may be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies on an individual basis.
  6. All units must be in Religious Studies courses unless an exception is made by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.