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Religious Studies

Our Religious Studies major provides you a diverse set of tools for understanding the fundamental importance of the religious dimension in all human societies – globally and historically. Its multidisciplinary approach primes you for careers in fields from law to medicine.

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About Our Religious Studies Program

  • Learn how to analyze, deconstruct, and understand how religions emerge, shape societies, and change over time.
  • Develop your own specialization, choosing a religious tradition, philosophical theme, historical period, or geographic area on which to focus your studies.
  • Study with leading professors at Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Pomona, and Scripps in this cooperative program at the Claremont College.
  • Dive deep by taking – with permission – master’s-level courses in your specialization at Claremont Graduate University.
  • Pursue graduate work in religion or go on to careers in fields such as journalism, law, medicine, and health and social services. Wherever you go, Pitzer’s Religious Studies program will give you the tools and perspective to succeed.

For more information about the Cooperative Program, visit the Claremont Colleges' Intercollegiate Religious Studies website.
 

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At a Glance

Degree Awarded

  • Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Religious Studies

Program Type

Area of Study

Religious Studies and Our Values

Pitzer’s core values are woven throughout all of our academic programs. Learn how our Religious Studies program addresses intercultural understanding and interdisciplinary learning.

Intercultural Understanding

Our religious studies program provides you a unique perspective, allowing you to study the world’s diverse cultures and societies through the lens of religious traditions and experiences. And, as a religious studies major, you’re encouraged to learn languages relevant to your area of specialization and study abroad at least once.

53% Pitzer Students in Study Abroad Programs

Studying abroad is a major part of the Pitzer experience, and you’ll be poised to take full advantage of it as a religious studies major.

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Interdisciplinary Learning

Our religious studies program emphasizes the wide variety of approaches to the study of religion, integrating tools and methods from philosophy, anthropology, and history in explaining and understanding religions around the globe. 

8 Fields of Study

As a religious studies major, you’ll have the chance to study across fields from music to history as you work to gain an understanding of world religions.

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Religious Studies Program Details

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What You'll Learn

  1. The beliefs, history, and practices of at least two distinct religious traditions.
  2. How to engage a variety of approaches to the study of religion (e.g. philosophical, anthropological, historical, feminist, postcolonial), assess their strengths and weaknesses, and critique their application to various phenomena.
  3. How to carry out sustained research on a topic that integrates classroom exposure with original investigation.
  4. How to analyze the interaction of religion with political, economic, social, and cultural institutions, groups, and individuals.
  5. How to recognize the historical and geographical diversity of religious traditions and demonstrate sensitivity to the varieties of religious expression.
     

Learn More

For more resources and information, visit the Religious Studies Field Group page. 

Religious Studies Field Group
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The Religious Studies major encompasses both breadth and depth of study. This major is highly flexible and based largely on your individual academic interests. Major requirements are:

  • Specialization Requirement: Four courses in a specialized field at intermediate and advanced levels. A specialized field of study may be based on a specific religious tradition, philosophical theme, historical period, or geographic area. For other examples of specialized fields, see the Claremont Colleges Intercollegiate Religious Studies website.
  • Integrative Courses – Take both of the following courses:
    • RLST 180 PO – Interpreting Religious Worlds (we recommend taking this before your senior year)
    • RLST 190 PO – Senior Seminar in Religious Studies
  • Elective Courses: Three elective courses in Religious Studies outside the specialized field.
  • Senior Thesis: Complete a one-semester senior thesis (RLST 191 PO - Senior Thesis) in consultation with your faculty adviser.

More Information

For current major requirements and additional information about the Religious Studies major, visit Pitzer's academic catalog.

View Academic Catalog
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To complete a minor, a student must complete three courses in one of the specialized fields; two courses in a second specialized field (only one of these five courses may be at the introductory level); and RLST 180 PO.



 

View Course Catalog

Religious Studies Faculty

faculty portrait of ahmed alwishah

Ahmed Alwishah

  • Professor of Philosophy
  • Philosophy Field Group
  • Associate Dean of Faculty
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Carina Johnson

  • Peter and Gloria Gold Professor of History
  • History Field Group

Contact Us

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(909) 621-8129

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