Course variations

Course summary

This program provides scholarly, critical, nonsectarian study of religions. Students study religious beliefs, practices, identities and organizations, and how they have influenced and been influenced by other aspects of society and culture. The concentration includes a broad survey of Western civilization as a basis for understanding its religious traditions. Students also become familiar with religious traditions in non-Western civilizations, and with their modern interactions and changes. Students study the origin, history, and methods of the academic study of religion as it has developed in Europe and North America. They are introduced to methodological issues in the study of religion, and learn to use methods appropriate to different kinds of problems.

Program modules

The modules are Concentration 40-46 credits: LBRL 231 - INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION, two courses (8-10 credits) from: LBRL 271 - HUMANITIES OF INDIA, LBRL 272 - RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN CHINA AND JAPAN, LBRL 278 - HUMANITIES OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION, LBRL 283 - RELIGION AND GLOBALIZATION, LBRL 340 - SUFISM: THE ISLAMIC MYSTICAL TRADITION, LBRL 375 - BUDDHISM, LBRL 378 - RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN INDIA, LBRL 303 - METHODS IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION, three courses (12-16 credits) from: LBRL 301 - HISTORICAL METHODS IN THE HUMANITIES, LBRL 321 - BETWEEN RENAISSANCE AND INQUISITION: CENSORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN SPAIN'S GOLDEN AGE, LBRL 332 - UNIVERSAL RELIGIONS: FOUNDERS AND DISCIPLES, LBRL 333 - RELIGION IN AMERICA, LBRL 334 - HEBREW BIBLE AND THE RELIGION OF ANCIENT ISRAEL, LBRL 336 - NEW TESTAMENT AND EARLY CHRISTIANITY, LBRL 338 - MYSTICISM, LBRL 375 - Buddhism, LBRL 378 - Religion and Society in India, LBRL 478 - RENEWAL AND REFORM IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD SINCE THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY, Other appropriate upper-division courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences, under advisement. Two courses (10 credits) from: LBRL 421 - SENIOR SEMINAR: APPROACHES TO CULTURAL HISTORY, LBRL 422 - SENIOR SEMINAR: LITERARY TRADITIONS IN WESTERN CULTURE, LBRL 423 - SENIOR SEMINAR: SELF, CULTURE AND SOCIETY, LBRL 424 - SENIOR SEMINAR: SOCIAL CHANGE IN CROSS-CULTURAL CONTEXTS, LBRL 375 and 378 may be counted in one group only.

Entry requirement for international students

International students should have a minimum score on the TOEFL of 80 (internet-based), 213 (computer-based), or 550 (paper-based). However, students with lower TOEFL scores, and/or students who are unable to take the TOEFL, may be admitted with an Academic English Program (AEP) provision if they have previously studied in the United States, completed college-level English 101 and English 102 prior to enrollment earning grades of B (3.0) or better, and demonstrate strong academic achievement.

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

Western Washington University

Department name

College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Liberal Studies