Religious Studies
http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/religiousstudies/
The Religious Studies discipline focuses on the analysis and comparison of religious traditions using methods from a variety of disciplines. Students take religious studies courses to prepare for the major or to fulfill general education requirements in humanities or ethnic studies. With a bachelor's degree in religious studies, students pursue careers in law, business, public and political service, and education. A religious studies major also prepares students for graduate studies in the discipline and for professional seminary and divinity school.
Academic and Career Pathways: Languages, Communication, and Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences
Contact Information
Chair: Isabel Luengo Dean: Dana Smith |
Department: Philosophy and Religious Studies Office: Administration Building, San Elijo Campus, 760.634.7879 |
Full-Time Faculty
Jeffrey Murico |
How to Read Course Descriptions
For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available at http://www.miracosta.edu/governance/coursesandprograms/courseoutlines.html.
Courses
RELG 101: World Religions
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in RELG 101H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer
This course introduces students to the religious studies discipline. It provides an overview of the history, beliefs, and practices of both Eastern and Western religions, including Indigenous traditions of North America, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. It explores the differences and similarities of the central tenets in the world's major religions and analyzes the close relationship among religion, society, and culture. It evaluates multidisciplinary methodological approaches to the study of religion and religions.
RELG 101H: World Religions (Honors)
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in RELG 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This honors course encourages highly motivated students to engage the discipline of religious studies through the lens of world religions. It asks students to critically investigate the historical, theological, and ritualistic aspects of various contemporary religious traditions, including indigenous traditions of North America, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Additionally, students evaluate a variety of multidisciplinary methodological approaches to the study of religion and religions in order to evaluate the intersectional relationship among religion, society, and culture.
RELG 103: Religion in America
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course focuses on the interaction between religion(s), culture, and society in the United States, beginning with the pre-Columbian indigenous traditions of North America and ending with an overview of the diversity of the contemporary American religious landscape. Students explore broad social movements, particular historical developments, theological responses, and the ongoing relationship between religion and politics in the US. Topics include uniquely American religions (e.g., Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness, Scientology), American religious movements (e.g., Great Awakening, Social Gospel Movement, Religious Right), and shifting religious tensions post-9/11.
RELG 105: Eastern Religions
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in ASIA 105.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of East and South Asian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, and Sikhism. It emphasizes the different religions' philosophical foundations and their practical application in Asian societies.
RELG 292: Internship Studies
Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.
RELG 296: Topics in Religious Studies
Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Religious Studies that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.
RELG 298: Directed Study in Religious Studies
Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.