Degree Options
Requirements for Liberal Studies B.A.
Religious Studies Option
Note: Students who choose the Religious Studies option must register with a faculty advisor for Religious Studies, who will supervise their program.
- Two years of a single foreign language.
- Liberal Studies 151L - Introduction to Humanities, 4 credits, and Liberal Studies 152L - Introduction to Humanities, 4 credits
- LS 161H - Introduction to Asian Humanities, 3 credits
- Two 200-level religion courses with at least one course in religions of Near Eastern /Mediterranean origin and one in Religions of South Asian or East Asian origin.
- Near Eastern/Mediterranean (Choose at least 1 course from the following):
- RLST 210H - Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the History of Ancient Israel
- RLST 211 - Introduction to New Testament Studies
- RLST 220 - Judaism
- RLST 225 - Christianity
- South or East Asian (Choose at least 1 course from the following):
- RLST 232H - Buddhism
- RLST 234 - Hinduism
- RLST 236 - Chinese Religions
- RLST 238 - Japanese Religions
- Near Eastern/Mediterranean (Choose at least 1 course from the following):
RLST 300 Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
Five courses (15 credits total, 3 credits each) selected from the following:
RLST/NAS 301E American Indian Religion and Philosophy
RLST 310 Topics in Biblical Studies (R-6)
RLST 320 Ancient Judaism /Early Christianity (R-6)
RLST 335 Western Religious Thought I: Ancient /Early Medieval
RLST 336 Western Religious Thought II: Late Medieval /Early Modern
RLST 353 Topics in South Asian Religions (R-6)
RLST 354 Topics in East Asian Religions (R-6)
RLST 360 Classics in Buddhist Literature (R-6)
RLST 366 Tibetan Civilization
RLST 367 Approaches to the Study of Zen
RLST 368 Contemporary Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia
RLST 369 Contemplative Traditions of Asia
RLST 370 Mysticism (R-6)
AAS 374 African-American Religious Experience
RLST 376 Contemporary Religious Thought
RLST 381E Comparative Ethics
AAS 450 Prayer and Civil Rights
Two Liberal Studies Courses with Religious Studies Content (for example, Liberal Studies 342, Topics in Comparative Literature and Religion
Requirements for Liberal Studies B.A.
Asian Studies Option
Note: Students who choose the Asian Studies option must register with the Asian Studies faculty advisor, Brad Clough, who will supervise their program.
- Two years (or equivalent proficiency) in an Asian language appropriate to the student's academic goals and approved by the academic advisor. Students who plan to pursue graduate work are strongly advised to complete three years, including at least one study abroad in Asia experience.
- Liberal Studies 151L - Introduction to Humanities, and Liberal Studies 152L - Introduction to Humanities
- Either SSEA/LS 102 - Introduction to South and Southeast Asia or LS 161H Introduction to Asian Humanities
- Choose two foundational Asian Studies courses from the following:
- HSTR 240H – East Asian Civilizations
- SSEA/LS 202 – South Asia
- MCLG/JPNS/LS 210H – Japanese Culture and Civilization
- MCLG/CHIN/LS 211 – Chinese Culture and Civilization
- SOCI/SSEA/LS 212S – Southeast Asia: Contemporary Social Problems
- Choose one foundational Asian Studies course from the following:
- RLST 232 - Buddhism
- RLST 233 - Traditions of Buddhist Meditations
- RLST 234 - Hinduism
- RLST 236 - Chinese Religions
- RLST 238 - Japanese Religions
- Choose five upper-division Asian Studies courses from the following:
- RLST 353 – Topics in South Asian Religion
- RLST 354 – Topics in East Asian Religion
- RLST 360 – Classics in Buddhist Literature
- RLST 366 – Tibetan Civilization
- RLST 367 – Approaches to the Study of Zen Buddhism
- RLST 368 – Contemporary Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia
- RLST 369 – Contemplative Traditions of Asia
- HSTR 343 – Modern Japan
- HSTR 345 – Modern China
- HSTR 448 – Tradition and Reform in China
- HSTR 449 – Revolution and Reform in China
- MCLG/CHIN/LS 313L – Classical Chinese Poetry in English Translation
- MCLG/CHIN/LS 314L – Traditional Chinese Literature in English Translation
- MCLG/CHIN/LS 432 – Twentieth Century Chinese Fiction in English Translation
- JPNS 311 – Classical Japanese Literature in English Translation
- JPNS 312 – Japanese Literature from Medieval to Modern Times in English Translation
- JPNS 386 – History of the Japanese Language
- JPNS 391 – Special Topics Variable
- JPNS 411 – Modern Japanese Writers and Thinkers
- JPNS 431 – Post War Japanese Literature
- GPHY - 444 High Asia
- PSCI 329 – Politics of Japan
Requirements for Liberal Studies B.A.
Women's and Gender Studies Option
Note: Students who choose the Women's and Gender Studies option must register with the Women's Studies faculty advisor, who will supervise their program.
- Completion of Liberal Studies core requirements
- Completion of WGS/PHIL/LS 119, Philosophical Perspectives on Women in the Western Hemisphere
- Minimum of 21credits of course work in relevant, advisor-approved upper-level courses (courses numbered 300 and above.
- At least 12 of the 21 credits must come from Group I Focus Courses
- Up to 9 of the 21 credits may come from Group II Content Courses
The list of Group I and Group II courses are available at the Women's and Gender Studies website or at the Women's and Gender Studies office in the Liberal Arts building, room 138, (406) 243-2584.
Reminder: Although the Women's and Gender Studies option requires 21 upper division credits to fulfill the Liberal Studies B.A. requirements, the University requires 39 upper division credits to graduate. Please plan accordingly.
