BA Honours in Study of Religion in La Jolla United States | University of California, San Diego

As an academic discipline, religious studies examines fundamental questions about how humans navigate their social and cultural environments in connection with perceived supernatural forces. Major faith traditions like Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism offer valuable case studies for these investigations. However, religion extends beyond organized traditions, manifesting as a fundamental aspect of human existence that arises from literature, historical developments, social structures, creative thought, emotional experiences, cultural practices, and even bodily expressions. This comprehensive nature explains why UC San Diego's Religion Studies Program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration across departments. Every humanities and social science field offers unique perspectives for rigorous religious analysis. Scholars from anthropology, communications, ethnic studies, history, Jewish studies, literature, philosophy, political science, sociology, and visual arts guide students in examining religious texts, rituals, artistic expressions, organizations, and communities within specific cultural frameworks and broader comparative contexts. Given the diversity of academic approaches to religion, the program encourages students to design personalized learning paths. A concentration in Religious Studies equips students with knowledge, analytical methods, and critical thinking skills to thoughtfully examine religion's role in personal and societal contexts. The program also fosters awareness of both the challenges and opportunities in conducting cross-cultural, academic studies of religion, emphasizing the distinction between theological and scholarly approaches. Success is measured by students' ability to contextualize religious phenomena and critically engage with source materials to develop interpretive, discussion, and writing competencies.