The Religious Studies Minor Program at NUS

John Whalen-Bridge

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

20 April 2006

The Program

15 elective modules, two essential foundation modules

GEK1045: World Religions (Dr. Bautista)

XD2101: Approaches to the Study of Religion (Dr. Bautista)

Program Goals

to teach the “ethos” of religious studies the “critical study of religion” in no way means a

hostile approach to religion to study critically an important human

phenomenon to encourage multidisciplinary learning to support faculty research/ teaching interests to bring to NUS a recognized area of study in

leading universities around the world

Program Planning

Planners in FASS had to…develop the conceptbegin the foundation modulesbring in a dedicated teacher

Subsequently, the Convenor had to…get the Visiting Fellow settledhelp with staffing + oversight of exams, etc

Program Successes

Success with students: numbers have grown steadily: 80, 115, 151, and the next cap will be 200.

Public engagement: we have met with President’s Council of Religious Harmony and have had a successful public launch (18 February 2006).

Mutually beneficial cooperation with ARI: hire postdoc, develop launch.

Program Needs

A first course on ChristianitySupport at department and faculty

level for “Bible as Literature” Development of staff resources so as

to avoid vulnerability A review (after two full years?) of how

all the parts fit together Other needs? (Q&A)