World Religions (B.A.)
   The World Religions provide the deepest and broadest reservoir of values that shape culture and identity. Religious studies invites us to engage in historical, social scientific, and philosophical reflection upon these core values. The major is designed to provide students with a liberal arts perspective that integrates these approaches to religious studies. Students are encouraged to reflect critically upon the various religions and to appreciate their power to shape cultures, civilizations and individuals. Studies focus on the interaction of religions with their surrounding social, historical, political and economic circumstances. Examples of required courses include Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Comparative Religious Ethics, Religion and Fiction, World Scriptures, and Women in Judaism. Students hoping to engage in a professional career, especially those with an international focus, should strongly consider this major. In the International College the option of a double major with International Political Economy and Diplomacy is especially attractive. Minors in philosophy, social science, and English also can be obtained to complement the major.
    The World Religions major is designed to provide students with a liberal arts perspective toward the world's religions. This approach encourages students to reflect upon the world religions critically and to appreciate their enduring power to shape cultures, civilizations, and individuals. In the program emphasis is placed upon the social, textual, theological, historical, and philosophical features of the major world religions. The international student body of UB, both a 'living laboratory' and a 'microcosm of the global world', provides an unparalleled context for such study. The major requirements lead to the acquisition of a global outlook, an invaluable preparation for success in careers, for leadership roles in communities and the world, and for self-fulfillment. In addition, program flexibility allows students to add a second major, a minor or concentration in a field such as philosophy, international political economy and diplomacy, social science, mass communication, or English. Interdisciplinary course work is available in these areas. The program is designed to allow maximum flexibility, so that it can be used as strong preparation for a variety of fields. Some students will prepare for careers in professional fields, such as business or law; others will prepare for graduate study in a cognate field, such as journalism or international politics; yet others will prepare for ministry, seminary, or the graduate study of religion.