Students in religious studies departments these days do not only study religious texts and history; they are also engaged in very practical pursuits related to religion.
After Hsuan Chuang University recently posted its entirely new religious journey and religious creative learning process curriculums on its website, the site attracted some 400 to 500 visitors each day, showing how high interest is in that field of study. Meanwhile, the Department of Religion, Culture and Organization Management at Aletheia University saw an increase in the number of students this year due to the practical nature of the courses offered.
Shih Chao-hwei, head of Hsuan Chuang University's Department of Religious Studies, said to inject more vitality into the department, courses on religious travel and religious-related culture and creation have been added to their 2010 academic year, causing Yeh Hai-yen, head of the Chang Jung Christian University Department of Philosophy and Religion, and Fo Guang University Professor Yo Hsiang-chou to praise the new courses for being both creative and interesting.
Both Zhang Zi-shu, proprietor of the religion-oriented Chuan Yuan Travel, and Huang Yun-shi, former head of Hsuan Chuang’s Department of Religious Studies, said Taiwan's religion-oriented tourism has enormous potential and really lacks trained people with a deep understanding of religion to promote this type of travel, prompting Hsuan Chuang and others to get involved by introducing new classes to meet practical needs.
The head of Aletheia University's Department of Religion, Culture and Organization Management, Pastor Tsai Wei-min, revealed that their curriculum is quite practical, in that some 90 percent of the students admitted to his department last year ultimately matriculated. They will take in five more students this year. If students are able to understand the operation of religious institutions and then combine this with courses in culture, creativity or community creation, they will have enormous opportunities down the road, he added.
Chen Wang-cheng, head of Fo Guang University's Department of Life and Religious Studies, remarked that they work together with Fo Guang Shan Monastery and various religious communication enterprises and institutions to provide their students with internships in religious-oriented tourism.
Chang Jung Christian University has specifically designed religious communications and religious arts courses, and has arranged for students to do fieldwork in various religious organizations and institutions. Even Fu Jen Catholic University, which pretty much sticks to the path of traditional theory in its religious studies department, is planning to introduce more practical courses, such as religious rituals and religion management, at its School of Continuing Education.
Moreover, these academies are also stepping forward to assist their students in preparing and taking licensing exams. Fo Guang University lends a hand to its students in taking funeral director tests; Hsuan Chuang University plans to help its students take part in the very popular tourist guide exam; and Aletheia University is focusing on helping its students take part in the less competitive religion category of the civil service examinations.
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times May 30.)