Bachelor of Religious Studies

Program Description


The Bachelor of Religious Studies program is designed to provide students with a broad base of knowledge in Buddhism and other religions. The basic Buddhist principles will help to guide the students to grow, physical, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually into dynamic citizens of the world. This program will help the student to see how spirituality has an important part in the development of a holistic person.

 

Program Objectives


The objectives of the Bachelor of Religious Studies program are to:

  1. Provide students a comprehensive knowledge about the origin, development, and the spread of Buddhism in the world.
  2. Introduce students with the various aspects of Buddhist teachings, philosophies, ethics, and meditation traditions.
  3. Acquaint students with the history of Buddhist Pali, Sanskrit, and classical Chinese literatures.

 

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Religious Studies program, the students will:

  1. Develop substantive knowledge of Buddhist history, thought, texts, and practices.
  2. Demonstrate analytical skills through specialist and comparative work.
  3. Assess multiple theories and methods of Buddhist Studies.
  4. Develop critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

 

Admission Requirements


1. Submit a completed and signed Application Form: The application form can be requested from the Admission’s Office or downloaded from the University website: www.iueast.org.

2. Submit the $100 Application Fee (non-refundable).

3. Submit all documents that are required by the admissions office:

  • a. Proof of Graduation: Applicants must provide proof of completion of high school in order to qualify for admissions, such as official transcripts or certificate of graduation.
  • b. International Students Only:
    • Copy of valid passport
    • Copy of valid visa
    • Copy of I-94, if available
    • Previous institutions Form I-20
    • Bank Statement, or Affidavit of Support

4. Personal Identification: All applicants are required to submit a photocopy of personal identification such as state driver’s license, government issued identification card, and passport or any government issued photo identification.

 

Graduation Requirements


Successful completion of 180 quarter units of study is required with minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade point average. The normal time necessary to complete the program is 4 years.


Course Requirements

General Education Course Requirements (20 Courses: 80 Quarter Units)

Course Number Course Title Quarter Units
ANT 101
Introduction to Anthropology
4
COM 101
Intro. to Computer & Information Processing
4
ECO 101
Introduction to Economics
4
ENG 101
Developing Communication Skills
4
ENG 102
Creative Writing
4
ENG 103
Literature of the West
4
ENG 104
Literature of the East
4
ENG 105
Public Speaking
4
ENG 106
Cross Cultural Communication
4
ENG 107
English Composition and Reading
4
HIS 101
United States History through 1876
4
HIS 102
United States History since 1876
4
HIS 103
Asian History
4
HIS 104
World Civilization I
4
HIS 105
World Civilization II
4
HUM 101
Civilizations of the West
4
HUM 102
Civilizations of the East
4
HUM 103
Critical Thinking in the Twenty-first Century
4
HUM 104
Logic
4
HUM 105
The Intimate Lives of the World’s Most Famous Artists
4
HUM 106
Lives of Extraordinary Women
4
MAT 101
College Mathematics
4
PHI 101
Introduction to Philosophy
4
POL 101
Introduction to Political Science
4
POL 110
International Relations
4
PSY 101
Introduction to Psychology
4
SOC 101
Introduction to Sociology
4
SCI 101
Human Health and Development
4
REL 101
Religions of the East
4
REL 102
Religions of the West
4
REL 103
Foundations of Buddhism
4
REL 104
Foundations of Christianity
4
REL 105
Foundations of Islam
4
REL 106
Foundations of Judaism
4
REL 107
Foundations of Hinduism
4
REL 113
Comparative Philosophy of Religion
4
REL 114
Comparative Religious Ethics
4
REL 115
Spiritual Counseling and Care
4
REL 116
Religion and Psychology
4
REL 117
Comparative Religion Seminar
4
REL 120
Religion, Conflict and Peace
4
REL 130
Introduction to the World’s Religions
4
REL 131
Christian Doctrine
4
REL 135
Bible Hermeneutics
4
REL 140
Survey of Old Testament
4
REL 150
Survey of New Testament
4
REL 155
Early and Medieval Church History
4
BUD 201
Introduction to Buddhist Meditation
4
BUD 202
Intermediate Buddhist Meditation
4
BUD 203
Advanced Buddhist Meditation
4
BUD 204
Fundamentals of Buddhism
4
BUD 301
Buddhism and Culture
4
BUD 302
Ethics in Buddhism
4
BUD 303 Practicum in Buddhist Ministry I 4
BUD 304 Practicum in Buddhist Ministry II 4
BUD 305 Buddhism in East Asia 4
BUD 306 Cultural and Social Aspects of Buddhism 4
BUD 307 Buddhist Commentaries 4
BUD 401 Pastoral Counseling for Buddhist Ministry 4
BUD 402 Individual Study for Buddhist Ministerial Students 4
BUD 403 Profiles of Buddhist Leadership 4
BUD 407 Buddhist Sutras in English 4
BUD 408 Buddhist Philosophy 4
BUD 409 Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia 4
BUD 410 Buddhist Psychology 4
BUD 411 Buddhist Sociology 4
BUD 413 Early Buddhism and the History of Theravada 4
BUD 420 Buddhism and Cognition 4
BUD 421 Mindfulness and Cognitive Process 4
BUD 430 Buddhism Meditation Traditions 4