Religious Studies
5 courses · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
RS 101 World Religions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A comparative study of the practices, beliefs, institutions, and core characteristics of the major religions of the world: Western, Asian, and indigenous.
RS 102 Religion in American History
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examines the role of religion and religious groups in key events, time periods, regions, and institutions of the United States. The course concentrates on the interaction of religious groups with each other and with the larger society, particularly in relation to political, economic, geographical, and cultural life of the nation. Topics include colonialism, the Revolution, anti-slavery, the expansion west, the Civil War, immigration, the World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and the 1960s.
RS 103 Religion and American Political Institutions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study of relations between religion, religious communities, and political institutions in the United States and California. The course examines political institutions and processes under the U.S. and California Constitutions, the influence of religion and religious communities on these institutions and processes, and the influence of these institutions and processes on religious communities, especially related to the rights and obligations of citizenship. Topics of study include freedom of religion, civil rights and citizenship, the political and religious philosophies of the framers of the U.S. Constitution, Constitutional documents as sources of civil religion, religion and immigration, separation of church and state, religion in public education, war and religion.
RS 105 Introduction to Religion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The course introduces students to the religious dimensions of ritual, symbol, and myth in order to explore the nature of religion in traditional settings and in the popular cultures of the present.
RS 108 History of Christianity
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A survey of movements, institutions, and communities in the history of Christianity from the first century to the twentieth century. Concentrates on socio-political influences, contexts, and consequences related to Christian history.