HUMANITIES AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
College of Arts and Letters
Humanities and Religious Studies offers an integrated approach to the study of world cultures. In courses on Western European, Asian, and American cultures, students explore ideas, ideals, and values as they are expressed in art, music, drama, history, literature, philosophy, and religion.
The Humanities concentration provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation while also allowing students the opportunity to focus their studies. For example, students can concentrate on a specific era, such as the Ancient World, the Middle Ages and Renaissance, or the Modern World. Students may also concentrate on a single cultural field such as American Studies or Asian Cultures.
The Religious Studies concentration is an in-depth comprehensive study of religious belief and practice on a global scale that surveys diverse interpretations of religious experience within and across cultural boundaries and examines religious institutions and sacred texts within a historical framework.
Students majoring in Humanities and Religious Studies may prepare for careers in teaching from the elementary level (as part of a Liberal Studies major program) through the secondary level (as part of a single subject credential program in English/Humanities). A major in Humanities and Religious Studies is also suitable preparation for postgraduate study in several advanced degree programs, including the Master of Arts program in Humanities. Providing a solid grounding in the liberal arts, the major helps graduates qualify for continued professional preparation for careers in teaching at the community college or university level, as well as library, museum, or curatorial work. Humanities and Religious Studies majors are also well-prepared for careers in government and fields such as the law and counseling, which require interaction with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Special Features
- Faculty advisors are available to help majors and minors design individual patterns of study that reflect students' particular interests and prepare them for work in their chosen fields.
- The Studia Humanitas Club organizes visits to art galleries, museums, and musical and theatrical events, and provides opportunities for students and faculty with similar interests to meet and exchange ideas.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree
Humanities Concentration (39 units)
Units required for Major: 39
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
I. Required Lower Division Courses (12 units)
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern |
II. Required Upper Division Courses (9 units)
(3) |
Approaches to the Humanities (HRS 10 and HRS 11, or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
One course in the HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities and Religious Studies series (completion of 9 units of lower division core courses and eligibility for WI courses) |
|
(3) |
One course in the HRS 195 Seminar in Humanities series (completion of 12 units of HRS lower division core courses, HRS 105, senior status; or instructor permission) |
III. Required Areas of Study (9-18 units)
Select at least one from each of the categories A, B, and C
A. Ancient - Renaissance
(3) |
The Culture of Classical Greece |
|
(3) |
The Culture of Classical Rome |
|
(3) |
Medieval Culture |
|
(3) |
Renaissance (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
B. Enlightenment - Postmodern
(3) |
Baroque and the Enlightenment |
|
(3) |
Romanticism and Revolution |
|
(3) |
Birth of the Modern |
|
(3) |
Global Crossings: Art and Culture 1945 to Present |
|
(3) |
Images of America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
C. Global/Non - Western
(3) |
Introduction to Islamic Cultures |
|
(3) |
Introduction to the East Asian World |
|
(3) |
The Classical Culture of China |
|
(3) |
Modern Japanese Literature and Culture |
IV. Supporting Courses: (0-9 units)
With approval of HRS faculty advisor, a student may select up to three of the following:
(3) |
Approaches to Religious Studies |
|
(3) |
Classical Mythology |
|
(3) |
World Mythology |
|
(3) |
Multicultural America |
|
(3) |
American Space and Identity |
|
(3) |
Hollywood and America |
|
(3) |
The Film |
|
(3) |
Contemporary Issues in Film |
|
(3) |
Women in Film and American Culture |
|
(3) |
Fantasy and Romance |
|
(3) |
Experimental Offerings in Humanities and Religious Studies (instructor permission) |
|
(1-3) |
Special Problems(instructor and department chair permission) |
Note: With approval of HRS faculty advisor, a student may select up to two courses from the following departments: Art, English, Foreign Languages, History, Philosophy. Theatre and Dance.
Religious Studies Concentration (39 units)
Units required for Major: 39
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
I. Required Lower Division Courses (9 units)
Select three of the following
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern |
II. Required Upper Division Courses (12 units)
(3) |
Approaches to Religious Studies |
|
(3) |
Exploring World Religions (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
|
(3) |
One course in the HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities and Religious Studies series (completion of 9 units of lower division core courses and eligibility for WI courses) |
|
(3) |
One course in the HRS 198 Seminar in Humanities series (completion of 9 units of HRS lower division core courses, HRS 108, HRS 140 senior status; or instructor permission) |
III. Required Areas of Study (9-18 units)
Select at least three of the following, at least one from each of the categories A and B:
A. Religions with South and East Asian Origins
(3) |
History of Buddhism |
|
(3) |
Chinese Philosophy and Religion |
|
(3) |
Zen Buddhism and Daoism |
|
(3) |
The Confucian Tradition |
|
(3) |
Religions of India I: The Formative Period |
|
(3) |
Religions of India II: Medieval and Modern |
|
(3) |
The Hindu Year: Fall |
|
(3) |
The Hindu Year: Spring |
B. Religions with West Asian Origins
(3) |
Paganism in the Roman World |
|
(3) |
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament |
|
(3) |
Introduction to the New Testament |
|
(3) |
History of Christianity to the Reformation |
|
(3) |
History of Christianity Since the Reformation |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Judaism |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Christianity |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Islam |
IV. Supporting Courses: (0-9 units)
Select up to three of the following:
(3) |
Approaches to the Humanities (HRS 10 and HRS 11 or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Classical Mythology |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Islamic Cultures |
|
(3) |
World Mythology |
|
(3) |
Great Mystics of the World |
|
(3) |
Food, Farming, and the Sacred |
|
(3) |
Spirit and Nature |
|
(3) |
World Religions and Cultures in Cinema |
|
(3) |
Experimental Offerings in Humanities and Religious Studies (instructor permission) |
|
(1-3) |
Special Problems (instructor and department chair permission) |
Note: With approval of HRS faculty advisor, advisor approval, a student may select up to two of the following:
(3) |
Magic, Witchcraft and Religion |
|
(3) |
Rise of Religious Cults |
|
(3) |
Communication and Religion |
|
(3) |
Native American Religion and Philosophy |
|
(3) |
African Religions and Philosophies |
|
(3) |
History of Religion in the United States |
|
(3) |
Philosophy of Religion |
|
(3) |
Sociology of Religion |
|
(3) |
Feminism and the Spirit |
Note: With approval of HRS faculty advisor, foreign language study may be applied as elective units. The advisor and student together will determine if the language is appropriate to the student's area of interest in Religious Studies. Students should consult with an advisor before choosing any electives.
Humanities Minor (21 units)
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
I. Required Lower Division Courses (6 units)
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of the West: Ancient to Medieval OR |
|
|
Arts and Ideas of the West: Renaissance to Modern |
|
(3) |
Arts and Ideas of Asia: Ancient to Medieval OR |
|
| HRS 71 | Arts and Ideas of Asia: Medieval to Modern |
II. Required Upper Division Course (3 units)
(3) |
Approaches to the Humanities (HRS 10 and HRS 11, or instructor permission) |
III. Required Areas of Study (9-12 units)
Select at least one from each of the categories A, B, and C:
A. Ancient - Renaissance
(3) |
The Culture of Classical Greece |
|
(3) |
The Culture of Classical Rome |
|
(3) |
Medieval Culture |
|
(3) |
Renaissance (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
B. Enlightenment - Postmodern
(3) |
Baroque and the Enlightenment |
|
(3) |
Romanticism and Revolution |
|
(3) |
Birth of the Modern |
|
(3) |
Global Crossings: Art and Culture 1945 to Present |
|
(3) |
Images of America (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
C. Global/Non - Western
(3) |
Introduction to Islamic Cultures |
|
(3) |
Introduction to the East Asian World |
|
(3) |
The Classical Culture of China |
|
(3) |
Modern Japanese Literature and Culture |
IV. Supporting Courses (0-3 units)
With approval of HRS faculty advisor, a student may select one from the following:
(3) |
Classical Mythology |
|
(3) |
World Mythology |
|
(3) |
Multicultural America |
|
(3) |
American Space and Identity |
|
(3) |
Hollywood and America |
|
(3) |
The Film |
|
(3) |
Contemporary Issues in Film |
|
(3) |
Women in Film and American Culture |
|
(3) |
Fantasy and Romance |
|
(3) |
|
One course in the HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities and Religious Studies series (completion of 9 units of HRS lower division core courses; eligibility for WI courses. |
(3) |
|
One course in the HRS 195 Seminar in Humanities and Religious Studies series (completion of 12 units of HRS lower division core courses, HRS 105, senior status; or instructor permission. |
(3) |
Experimental Offerings in Humanities and Religious Studies (instructor permission) |
|
(1-3) |
Special Problems (instructor and department chair permission) |
Note: With approval of HRS faculty advisor, a student may choose one course from the following departments: Art, English, Foreign Languages, History, Philosophy, Theatre and Dance.
Religious Studies Minor (21 units)
Units required for Minor: 21
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
I. Required Upper Division Courses (6 units)
(3) |
Approaches to Religious Studies |
|
(3) |
Exploring World Religions (GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X) |
II. Required Areas of Study (6-15 units)
Students must choose at least one course each from categories A and B.
A. Religions with South and East Asian Origins
(3) |
History of Buddhism |
|
(3) |
Chinese Philosophy and Religion |
|
(3) |
Zen Buddhism and Daoism |
|
(3) |
The Confucian Tradition |
|
(3) |
Religions of India I: The Formative Period |
|
(3) |
Religions of India II: Medieval and Modern |
|
(3) |
The Hindu Year: Fall |
|
(3) |
The Hindu Year: Spring |
B. Religions with West Asian Origins
(3) |
Paganism in the Roman World |
|
(3) |
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament |
|
(3) |
Introduction to the New Testament |
|
(3) |
History of Christianity to the Reformation |
|
(3) |
History of Christianity Since the Reformation |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Judaism |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Christianity |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Islam |
Select up to three of the following:
(3) |
Classical Mythology |
|
(3) |
Introduction to Islamic Cultures |
|
(3) |
World Mythology |
|
(3) |
Great Mystics of the World |
|
(3) |
Food, Farming, and the Sacred |
|
(3) |
Spirit and Nature |
|
(3) |
World Religions and Cultures in Cinema |
|
(3) |
|
One course in the HRS 190 Seminar in Humanities and Religious Studies series (completion of 9 units of HRS lower division core courses; completion of the WI. |
(3) |
Experimental Offerings in Humanities and Religious Studies (approval of HRS faculty advisor) |
|
(3) |
Seminar in Religious Studies (completion of 9 units of HRS lower division core courses, HRS 108, senior status; or instructor permission) |
|
(1-3) |
Special Problems (instructor and department chair permission) |
With approval of HRS faculty advisor, a student may select up to, two of the following:
(3) |
Magic, Witchcraft and Religion |
|
(3) |
Rise of Religious Cults |
|
(3) |
Communication and Religion |
|
(3) |
Native American Religion and Philosophy |
|
(3) |
African Religions and Philosophies |
|
(3) |
History of Religion in the United States |
|
(3) |
Philosophy of Religion |
|
(3) |
Sociology of Religion |
|
(3) |
Feminism and the Spirit |
GRADUATE PROGRAM - Master of Arts - Humanities
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in Humanities requires:
- a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university (or equivalent preparation if the student has done undergraduate work outside the U.S.);
- an undergraduate major in Humanities or in a closely related field (subject to approval by the Graduate Coordinator);
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units attempted and a minimum 3.3 GPA in Humanities courses (or in major in a related field);
Students with deficiencies in Admission Requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be considered for admission with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a response to the admission application.
Admission Procedures
Applicants should file two applications: one to the California State University, Sacramento Office of Graduate Studies for admission to the University, and the other to the Department of Humanities and Religious Studies for classified status in the Humanities master's program. Please check with the Office of Graduate Studies for current application deadlines.
All applicants must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470 , www.csus.edu/grad studies:
- an online application for admission; and
- two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than California State University, Sacramento
Applicants must also file the following with Department of Humanities and Religious Studies:
- statement of purpose of approximately 500 words (typed) in response to the following question: How does the Humanities master's program fit with your talents, interests, and aspirations?
- two letters of recommendation. Letters should ideally come from college/university instructors, but if these are not available, any other credible source who can address qualifications will be acceptable (e.g., work supervisor or community leader);
- academic writing sample of 3-5 pages, to be accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the context (e.g., the course and assignment) for which the writing was produced.
Advancement to Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This should be initiated by the student as soon as the student has:
- removed any deficiencies in Admission Requirements;
- completed at least 12 units of 200-level courses in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
- achieved a passing grade on the Humanities M.A. Preliminary Exam; and
- received a placement Score Number of 80 on the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) timed essay exam or received a grade of "B" or better in a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of course work at California State University, Sacramento or met one of the graduate GWAR equivalency standards.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies and the Humanities and Religious Studies departmental office. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with his/her HRS advisor. The completed form is then returned to the Graduate Coordinator and the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Requirements - Master of Arts Degree - Humanities
Units required for the MA: 30
Minimum GPA 3.0
A. Required Courses (9 units)
(3) HRS 200A Culture and Expression: Prehistory to the Middle Ages (HRS major or minor)
(3) HRS 200B Culture and Expression: Renaissance to Present (HRS major or minor)
(3) HRS 202 Western Aesthetics: Traditions and Revisions (Graduate standing)
B. Electives (18 units)
Choose two areas from the three below (A. Ancient Humanities; B. Modern Humanities; C. Global Humanities). Students must complete 9 units in each of the two selected areas (18 units total). 6 of the 18 units may consist of HRS 100-level courses with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, AND 3 of the 18 units may consist of HRS 299 with approval of the Graduate Coordinator.
A. Ancient Humanities
(3) |
Evolving Concepts of God: Portrait of Deity in Monotheistic Religions |
|
(3) |
Religions of the Roman Empire |
|
(3) |
Early Christian Literature |
|
(3) |
The Gothic Spirit |
|
B. Modern Humanities
(3) |
Space and Time (6 units in philosophy or instructor permission) |
|
(3) |
Versions of the Self in Western Literature and the Arts |
|
(3) |
Historical Reflections on the American Dream |
|
(3) |
Ordinary America |
|
(3) |
Transcendence & Transgression in the Romantic Period |
|
(3) |
Modernism: Contingent Realities of Self and World |
Global Humanities
(3) |
Seminar in HRS: The Body (HRS major or minor; Completion of 9 units of HRS lower division core courses and eligibility for WI classes based on WPJ placement score or passage of the appropriate prerequisite) |
|
(3) |
Seminar in HRS: The Many Realities of Consciousness (HRS major or minor; Completion of 9 units of HRS lower division core courses and eligibility for WI classes based on WPJ placement score or passage of the appropriate prerequisite) |
|
(3) |
Seminar in HRS: Death and Afterlife (HRS major or minor; completion of 9 units of HRS lower division courses; completion of the WPJ) |
|
(3) |
Seminar in HRS: The Hero (9 units of HRS lower division core courses and eligibility for WI classes based on the WPJ placement score or passage of the appropriate prerequisite) |
C. Culminating Requirement (3 units)
(3) HRS 500 Culminating Experience (Advanced to candidacy and permission of the Graduate Coordinator)
Career Possibilities
Teaching · Academic Research · Publishing · Journalism · Government · Public Relations · Law · Library Science · Creative Writing · Literary Research · Theology · Ministry · Counseling
Faculty
Jeffrey Brodd, Alyson Buckman, Jackie R. Donath, Mary Doyno, Joël Dubois, Maria Jaoudi, Bradley Nystrom, Richard Shek, Victoria Shinbrot, Harvey Stark
Contact Information
Bradley Nystrom, Department Chair
Victoria Shinbrot, Graduate Coordinator
Carol Downey, Administrative Support Coordinator
Mendocino Hall 2011
(916) 278-6444
www.csus.edu/hum
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