Study of Religion

Undergraduate Information
Graduate Information

OFFICE: Arts and Letters 662
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5185 / FAX: 619-594-1004
E-MAIL: religious.studies@sdsu.edu
WEBSITE: http://religion.sdsu.edu

Faculty

Chair: Risa Levitt, Professor of Religion (Ph.D.)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Khaleel Mohammed, Professor of Religion (Ph.D.)

Sthaneshwar Timalsina, Professor of Religion (Ph.D.)

Drew J. Thomases, Assoiciate Professor of Religion (Ph.D.)

Delroi E. Whitaker, Jr., Associate Professor of Religion (Ph.D.)

Rebecca C. Bartel, Assistant Professor of Religion (Ph.D.)

Lecturers:

Angela Feres

John L. Gillman

Brad Kirkegaard

Scott Meltzer

Kirk Sandvig

Lori Stewart

Emeritus:

Christine R. Downing, Ph.D., Drew University

Frost

Irving Gefter, Ph.D., Brandeis University

Wilburn Hansen, Ph.D. Stanford

Linda D. Holler, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Issa J. Khalil, Ph.D., University of Chicago

Rebecca Moore, Ph.D., Marquette University

Irving Alan Sparks, Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University

Undergraduate Informatio

The Major

The academic study of religion is central to the creation of a community of world citizens. Our program is designed for students who live in a pluralistic society and who wish to investigate the role religions play in human life and society. Because religion has shaped the human story of almost every culture, it is difficult to understand human behavior or to interpret world events without grasping how religion has helped to determine them. As United States Supreme Court Justices Clark and Goldberg wrote in their decision allowing the study of religion in public schools, “one’s education is not complete without a study of comparative religion or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization.” Part of the liberal arts, the study of religion employs critical analysis and methods from a variety of disciplines to understand religious traditions as well as to question the dogmas, stereotypes, and prejudices that may surround those traditions. In addition to investigating religious symbols, texts, practices, and belief systems, the study of religion examines the relationship of religion to ethics, contemporary social issues, politics, history, psychology, science, literature, and the arts.

Career Outlook

The study of religion prepares students for any career that requires critical thinking, analysis, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to reflect on questions of meaning and value. The study of religion is excellent pre-professional preparation for fields such as law, teaching, medicine, counseling, social work, conflict resolution, international business, foreign service, journalism, various ministries and other careers in non-profit organizations and public service. While some of our majors go on to do graduate work in religion or related academic fields, other graduates find themselves well prepared for careers requiring imagination, problem solving, communication, self-understanding, and awareness of human diversity.

Double Majors and The Minor

Because the study of religion is interdisciplinary and multicultural it is an excellent degree to complement many other majors. Double majors are easily accommodated within a well-designed fouryear course of study, since the study of religion major has only a 36-unit requirement. Graduates from the program have had double majors with biology, communication, history, psychology, and other fields where the study of religion enhances or focuses the second major. The 15-unit minor is another way to combine your major interests with the academic study of religion. Anyone who is interested in human beliefs, behavior, and values would benefit from a minor in the study of religion.

Advising

All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Graduate Information

General Information

The department offers advanced coursework in the study of religion which may be used toward fulfilling advanced degree requirements in Interdisciplinary Studies and in other departments with the approval of the student’s graduate adviser.