Religion, Literature and the Arts Program (RGLA) Undergoes Updates and Name Change
The interdisciplinary program in Religion, Literature and the Arts (RGLA) has been revised and renamed, becoming the Program in the Study of Religion (RGST) beginning in September 2020. The changes were prompted by new developments in the study of religion since the RGLA Program was first created in 2004, as well as changes in UBC faculty available to teach courses in the study of religion.
The new interdisciplinary Program in the Study of Religion better reflects current scholarship in the study of religion across disciplines in the Faculty of Arts. It also addresses student interests and concerns in a globalizing world in which religion plays a critical role. The program allows undergraduate students to pursue a major or minor in the broad, interdisciplinary study of religion as part of a single, unified program – something that was not previously possible at UBC.
The RGST program builds on the existing RGLA program, but provides greater structure and coherence through the requirement of three newly developed core courses (RGST 200, RGST 300, and RGST 400) that expose students to a scaffolded knowledge set on approaches, theories, and methods in the study of religion. Students will still be able to take courses in religion, literature and the arts, but this area is now repackaged and embedded in a broader curriculum. Courses from different areas of study and disciplines are now grouped into four main categories: Religion in the Contemporary World, Religious Cultures and Expressions, Religious Histories, Theory and Method. This facilitates student course selection and ensures exposure to a variety of perspectives from different disciplines.
- If you are a current RGLA Major or Minor: You can still complete your RGLA requirements for graduation. Please speak to an RGST advisor to ensure you can enroll in the correct courses for your program, or obtain approved substitutions.
- If you are interested in majoring or minoring in RGLA: Please check out the new interdisciplinary Program in the Study of Religion! It is designed to provide you with the opportunity to study a variety of religions from a number of disciplinary perspectives, incorporating different regions and historical periods, while allowing you to specialize in religious traditions of your choice. The revised program provides you with more choices than before: 106 courses across the Faculty of Arts which are newly included in the program.
- Our Course Calendar page: http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,197,282,103
- Our Program Webpage (under development)https://rgst.arts.ubc.ca/