The Religious Studies Department strongly encourages its students to study
abroad through the Education Abroad Program. The study of religion is cultural
in content; it shouldn’t be restricted to classrooms and books. Take advantage of one of UCSB’s best opportunities and spend a year in another country. Imagine studying in a country where you can visit sacred places and see rituals being practiced while you study the history and language. With over 150 universities to choose from in 35 different countries, the possibilities are endless. Whether you go for a summer, a semester, or a year, you can still plan your courses so that you will graduate on time. The possibilities are endless. What are you waiting for?
The study of religion should be considered in terms of human experience,
experience that varies across time and place. Studying abroad will not only
provide you with a unique life experience, it will broaden your perspective,
knowledge, and skills necessary to be effective professionally and personally
in our rapidly changing global world.
Religious studies majors have the opportunity to study in the places where
many of the world’s religions began. You can visit the bohdi tree where Buddha found enlightenment during your semester abroad in Delhi, India. Study the religions of ancient Rome in the ornate rooms of the Palazzo Maffei-Marescotti, a renaissance palace owned by the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Study Shintoism in Japan where you can visit the temples and see the rituals being practiced.
Exposure to other cultures can help students gain new perspectives and
achieve a greater understanding of the world in which we live. It is also an opportunity to put one’s critical thinking and reasoning skills to the test in a
whole new setting.
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Many EAP courses are taught in English, in places as diverse as Egypt, Turkey, Barbados, India, Ghana, Hong Kong, France, and South Africa, as well as the more obvious UK, Canada and Australia. There are also plenty of courses taught in the native language of the host country, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese, and are excellent choices for students who have a grounding in those languages. Additionally, EAP offers intensive Language and Culture program, such as: a summer in Sweden, a semester in Russia, or a full-year in Japan, among many other options.
Countries in which courses in Religious Studies are offered are Canada, Italy,
France, Spain, United Kingdom/Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Barbados, South Africa, and Ghana.
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While it is possible for religious studies students to go abroad at almost any
point in their academic careers, the particular quarter, semester, summer or
year that you study abroad depends on what courses you plan to take. Students
interested in Language and Culture programs, or in fulfilling major preparation
and General Education requirements, can participate as early as their sophomore year.
Students wishing to do an immersion program in a non-English-speaking
country should complete six quarters of the language, or the equivalent, prior
to departure. Transfer students are eligible to participate in EAP as early as
their first quarter at UCSB. Visit http://www.eap.ucop.edu/eap/transfer for more information. Plan ahead and consult with your department advisor.
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All EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad. However, the application of credit to major requirements is subject to the discretion of the department and approval of the college. It is best to plan early for study abroad. Applications are typically due six months to a year prior to the start of the program.
Some of the courses from which Religious Studies majors benefited in the past are “Islamic Ethics” and “Gender and Religion” (Ghana, Africa); “Sociology of Religion,” “Christianity,” “Islamic Law,” “Philosophy of Religion,” “Ancient Christian Literature” and “Islamic History and Culture” (Italy); “Science and Religion” (University of Rome, Italy); “Religion and Politics in Modern India” (India); “Religion and Violence” (Sweden).
Keep in mind that at least 20 units of upper-division major coursework (or
12 upper-division minor units) must be completed in residence at UCSB
along with other residence requirements. Consult an advisor in the College of Letters & Science for more information.
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Come by the EAP office at 2431 South Hall. Staff advisors and peer advisors
who have recently returned from studying abroad are eager to answer your questions.
Consult the EAP web pages to see what programs best suit you. In addition to
Course Finder and Program Wizard, navigate to host universities’ websites
on the available links.
Go see your Undergraduate Advisor in the Religious Studies office, 3001E
HSSB. Make an appointment with an advisor in the College of Letters & Science to discuss general education, residence and other requirements.
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Department of Religious Studies
Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Room 3001E
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3130
Phone: (805) 893-7136
www.religion.ucsb.edu
