College of the Pacific
Why choose a Religious & Classical Studies degree at Pacific?
“In my teaching I always try to create curiosity, wonder and an awareness of the connectivity between us and all other peoples, past and present.”
—Lynn Kraynak, Professor
The Department of Religious & Classical Studies is interdisciplinary by definition with content coverage that spans the globe in a broad historical manner.
At Pacific, students have access to scholars of varied and wide interests, who research and/or teach:
- American religious culture
- Eastern and Western religious and spiritual traditions
- Ethical issues of contemporary life (e.g., biotechnology and ethics)
- Gender and sexuality
- Media and religion
- The interface of politics and religion, contemporary and ancient
- Classic religious, spiritual, philosophical, mythological, magical, and political texts from Chinese, Sanskrit, Hebrew, cuneiform, Greek and Latin sources
- Archaeological artifacts from the ancient world
Situated in the Central Valley of California, our students find themselves surrounded by representatives from a great many of the world's cultures and religions—an excellent context for studying the world's diverse religious traditions.
Beyond the Classroom
Students experience practical aspects of religion through field-work in local places of worship, including Confucian, Hindu and Sikh temples; Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist temples; a Greek Orthodox church; a local synagogue; and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, which has one of the largest social help programs in the Central Valley.
