Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

at Shorelight Group - University of South Carolina USA

Around the world, people and places are intimately linked. Our flexible, interdisciplinary program is designed to engage students in pressing global questions, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the complex relationships and processes that connect the global community.

As a global studies major, you will focus on themes relating to globalization while learning to appreciate the world’s diversity. To achieve this end, this major requires students to focus on a particular world region and to attain proficiency in a modern foreign language.

Students in the Global Studies Program will focus on one of four themes: global health, global conflict and security, global sustainability and development, and global cultures. These themes, along with the major components around which the degree program is structured, will prepare students for careers where an understanding of urgent global issues is required, and where an ability to work with people from a variety of cultures is indispensable.

Socrates believed that the unexamined life is not worth living. Our philosophy department helps students examine the world, especially human practices and institutions, in an effort to gain understanding and wisdom.  

Philosophy majors have a wide range of educational opportunities. The department emphasizes analytical reasoning both for general education and as a preparation for pre-law students.

As a philosophy major, you will work with outstanding faculty members who promote study opportunities both at the university and overseas. You will learn how to reason analytically and develop the ability to argue persuasively. Your courses will promote reflection on either the historical developments in philosophy or ethical values as they relate to business, engineering, morality, politics and social justice. You may also choose to pursue research opportunities in nanotechnology.

The ability to comprehend and communicate in diverse languages not only prepares our students to understand the history and traditions of our own culture but also equips them to be active and engaged representatives in the global economy and world affairs. The major in languages, with its multiple and flexible tracks, is vital for the preparation of the next generation of citizens and leaders.

Undergraduate students who choose a language concentration will be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced level proficiency in their target language(s). They will be able to evaluate and discuss literary and cultural texts, or linguistic documents, and advance arguments effectively through strong writing and research skills. Students will gain a greater understanding of the significance of the sociopolitical structures and intellectual and literary/artistic contributions of the target culture and language sphere. They'll also be able to recognize, describe and reflect upon the cultural practices that shape social interactions in the target culture. Students who choose a PK-12 teaching certification concentration will also be well-prepared to begin a career teaching their chosen language.

As a student in the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Information Technology program, you will perfect your information technology and communication skills, and you will develop an understanding of business and technological issues. During your freshman and sophomore years, you'll take required university courses such as English, history, foreign language, fine arts and social science, as well as core courses in your major. In your junior and senior years, you'll complete major courses including networking, database management, visual programming and project management. You'll round off your academic career with a senior capstone project class and an industry internship, positioning yourself for a leadership role in any business setting.

As an anthropology major, you will gain knowledge in four areas: cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology and biological anthropology. You will experience intensive discussion, multimedia engagement and hands-on applications in many classes, while acquiring skills in research methodology and presentation. Anthropology majors also have the opportunity to participate in research and fieldwork, both abroad and locally.

You will develop skills necessary to appreciate the cultural and biological diversity of humans, while learning how to apply this knowledge in a variety of ways. Many unique opportunities await you, such as getting involved with a field school offered each summer in archaeology and ethnology.

Social work is a helping profession. The main goal of social work is to improve a society's overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Our students learn to work with individuals, couples, families, groups, neighborhoods, communities and organizations to empower them to meet their needs.

As a social work major, you can expect to develop skills in community organizing, diversity, social justice, networking, interviewing, multitasking, case management and grant-writing. You will also be able to gain hands-on experience in the field through service-learning that is integrated into academic coursework. You may also choose to pursue the Child Welfare Certificate and become certified in child welfare and receive a fellowship from the Department of Social Services.

The goal of this one-year graduate program is to inspire entrepreneurial-minded science and engineering students to take leaderships roles in product design in large organizations and embark on new business ventures. The program includes an integrated curriculum, new venture creation projects, an innovation immersion module, and is taught by a blend of academic faculty and experienced entrepreneurs and investors from the private sector.

Are you interested in learning about some of the most pressing social issues of the day, such as immigration, discrimination, economic and social inequality, demographic change, race and ethnic relations, and health and well-being? If so, our sociology program may be right for you. You can pursue a B.A. or B.S. degree in sociology or continue your learning by pursuing the accelerated bachelor's/graduate study plan, in which you receive a master's degree in sociology. The department offers graduate degrees at the master's and doctoral levels.
 
As a sociology major, you will explore complex issues of power, inequality, identity and conflict across a variety of different social groups and social institutions, such as schools, families and law enforcement. You will also learn to question common wisdoms, raise important questions, examine arguments, synthesize information, analyze data, make conclusions and present arguments supported by empirical research and sociological theory, both orally and in writing.

As part of your learning, you will be able to take advantage of outstanding facilities that include the Laboratory for Sociological Research, one of the largest facilities of its type in the world, and a statistics laboratory. You can also develop your own research project or collaborate with faculty members on a project and participate in department events, including guest speaker presentations and workshops.

Do you want to write beautiful stories, expose wrongdoing and master the digital world through print media? Or perhaps instead, you see yourself delivering information through radio or television broadcasting. No matter the medium, your job is to find the truth and tell compelling stories that make a difference down the street and across the world.

Turn on any major network news channel and you'll see our graduates at work. ESPN, CNN, FOX, NBC, BET, CBS, ABC — it's an alphabet soup that spells out success. Flip on the television in New York, Philadelphia, Hong Kong, Charlotte, Atlanta, Amsterdam, Denver, Tampa and other major cities — we're there, too. You'll also be part of a powerful network that includes colleagues at National Geographic, the Harlem Globetrotters, NFL films and almost every television station in the Southeast. Here are just a few of our alumni making their mark in the field.

Weekly composition seminars include analysis and discussion between students and guest composers, performers and conductors, open rehearsals and visits by artists from other disciplines. Students profit from frequent visits by noted guest composers.

You also benefit from our rich musical resources, including two advanced computer music studios and our extensive music library collection. You are encouraged to take advantage of the diverse resources throughout the university and to collaborate with artists in other fields.

At the end of each term, student composers present their work at the New Voices concert, open to the public. This student-produced concert series is designed to stimulate compositional activity and educate composers in practical matters of concert production, publicity and artistic collaboration.