Religious Studies (RLST)

RLST 101  Introduction to Religious Studies  (3.0 Units)  

Introduction to the primary forms of religious experience and expression and to the structure of religious worldviews. Examples from a variety of societies and time periods introduce and illustrate such topics as religious symbols, myths, rituals, and communities, as well as alternative concepts of ultimate reality, cosmogony, theodicy, and soteriology. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 105  Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Religions of the Ancient Near East  (3.0 Units)  

Introduction to the literature and religious history of Ancient Israel and related cultures in the Ancient Near East. Study of the sources, contents, interpretation, and religious and historical significance of the Hebrew Scriptures and the Old Testament. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 106  Introduction to the New Testament and Early Christian Literature  (3.0 Units)  

Historical introduction to classical Mediterranean religion and culture in late classical antiquity. Comparative literary, historical, and sociological analysis of the literature of the period, with emphasis on the New Testament and early Christian literature. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 110  Religions of the Middle East and the West  (3.0 Units)  

Survey of the history, beliefs, and practices of the major religious traditions of the Middle East and West: prehistoric and indigenous religions; ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian relgions; Zoroastrianism; Judaism; Christianity; Islam; and new religious movements. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 111  Religions of South and East Asia  (3.0 Units)  

Survey of the history, beliefs, and practices of the major religions of East and South Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto. Discussion of modern challenges to traditional religion and the emergence of new religious movements inspired by Asian traditions. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 113  Religion and Society  (3.0 Units)  

Study of the interaction between social forces and religious belief and practice, with an emphasis on contemporary American social and religious life. Special topics include the social aspects of evangelical religion, the interaction of religion and politics, religious diversity, the relation between religion and gender, and the impact of globalization. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 115  Religion in America  (3.0 Units)  

Historical study of religion in America, including both its diversity and unifying factors. Major topics include Native American religion, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Protestant Christianity, African-American religion, American sects, metaphysical and occult religions, Asian religions, and religious dimensions of public life, politics, and popular culture. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 117  Philosophy of Religion  (3.0 Units)  

Introduction to major topics in the Philosophy of Religion: the existence and nature of God, religious experience and knowledge, and concepts of immortality and human destiny. Special attention is given to conflicts between religion and science, competing claims for religious truth, and the relevance of religion to social ethics. Crosslisted with PHIL 117. CSU,UC

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU

RLST 207  Introduction to Critical Thinking  (3.0 Units)  

Study and practice in critical thinking and advanced English composition: analysis, evaluation, and formulation of arguments; critical study of texts; and composition of critical essays. Application of critical thinking and writing skills to topics in the areas of values and religion. Crosslisted with PHIL 207. CSU,UC

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C

Lecture Hours: 54.0

Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU