Religious Studies B.A.

Foreign Languages

Many of the greatest ideas and writings concerning the study of religions, or of a religious character, were formulated in languages other than English. Majors are strongly urged to acquire proficiency in one or more European (e.g., French, German, Spanish, Greek, Latin) or non-European (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit) languages. Election to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society requires proficiency in one foreign language, usually demonstrated by completion of the fifth quarter or its equivalent. Students should consult with their departmental advisor to select the most appropriate language. (Languages taught in the department of Religious Studies include Arabic, Coptic, Hebrew, Hindi, Pali, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Syriac, Targumic, Aramaic, Tibetan, and Turkish.) Also, majors should seriously consider participating in the university’s Education Abroad Program, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Undergraduate Honors

The Department of Religious Studies offers honors sections in some of the lower division religious studies courses. Upper division College Honors Program students may design their own contract courses and independent studies with religious studies faculty. Candidates for the religious studies honors program must be in residence at UCSB for at least one year (three quarters) as religious studies majors, have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5, and a grade-point average of at least 3.75 in religious studies courses. In principle, eligible students will work with a professor with whom they have already taken courses. Please note that it is up to the professor's discretion to take on new students for the senior thesis. During their senior year, these honor students work closely with department faculty to prepare an honors thesis (RGST 195). Honors program students receive the award of Distinction in the Major upon graduation.
Religious Studies majors with junior or senior status, who have achieved at least a 3.5 GPA in their religious studies coursework, are eligible for induction into Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society in religious studies.

Awards

The Department presents several awards for outstanding work in Religious Studies. Recipients are invited to attend an annual awards ceremony, wherein faculty members and fellow students celebrate their achievements.
The Edward C. Truman award is also presented annually to a freshman, sophomore, or junior student who is deemed outstanding by the Department of Religious Studies and the UCSB Affiliates.