Pitzer College Adds Secular Studies Program As Part Of Growing Trend

[Ahimsa]

“Secularism” defined as the “rejection of religion in public life” seems like too negative a definition.

(RNS) Almost every major college and university offers a degree in religious studies. But secularism? Nary a one – until now.

Starting this fall, Pitzer College, a small liberal arts school in Southern California, will offer a bachelor’s degree in secular studies. The degree is the first of its kind in the United States, according to the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at Trinity College.

Though the program is a first, it may not stand alone for long. Scholars say there is a growing interest in secularism – the rejection of religion in public, and sometimes private, life – both in the U.S. and around the world.

“We’ve been studying religious people for years, but there is a huge chunk of humanity who is not religious,” said Phil Zuckerman, a sociology professor and founder of the Pitzer program. “Who are they? I would like to study them with the same vigor we study religiosity.”
…
So what will a twentysomething do with a degree in secular studies? That may be beside the point, at least for now.

“It might not get them a job at Google nor even at McDonalds,” Kosmin said. “But secularism is necessary for educating the modern mind. It is not a new approach to learning, but it is a new way of looking at the world and I think it might invigorate liberal arts education.”

 

[ThinkingSapien]

“Secularism” defined as the “rejection of religion in public life” seems like too negative a definition.

Indeed. I think that definition would cause more reaction. “not specifivally related to religion” would be a less sensationalized definition.