Religious Studies

Welcome to the Department of Religious Studies located on the campus of California State University, Northridge.

Our program is designed to provide a liberal arts education with an emphasis on the critical study of religion, culture, and society. It offers an excellent basis from which to pursue careers requiring critical thinking, community engagement, problem solving, communication skills, and awareness of human diversity. Our graduates have also gone on to attend law school and other graduate programs in social work, theology and religious studies, education, and more. 

CSUN faculty approach the study of religion and religious phenomena across many contexts and disciplines, including history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, literary theory, environmental humanities, and cognitive science. Our courses look at the role of religion in ethics, gender constructs, literature, economics, the visual arts, and numerous contemporary social and political issues. We also offer courses on various religious traditions. This cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach emphasizes the myriad ways that religion and culture are intertwined, enabling students to better understand and appreciate diverse cultures.

Our department is non-sectarian and aims to serve all students with or without religious affiliation. Students of all religions and ethnic backgrounds are welcome to enroll in Religious Studies courses.