Religious Studies Program
The curriculum is organized into the basic areas of Western, Eastern, and North American religions, and method and theory in the study of religion. A core of courses provides broad exposure to the range of issues, perspectives, and methods in the study of religion. The program encourages interdepartmental and interdisciplinary cooperation as part of a comprehensive program. This cooperation is reflected at the undergraduate level in cross-listed and cross-referenced courses and in the design of the major.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
The major consists of at least 27 hours in religious studies. 15 hours must be in courses numbered 300 and above, and 9 of these junior/senior hours must be completed in residence at KU. The 27 hours may include no more than 12 transfer hours, no more than 12 hours from study abroad, and no more than 15 hours in combination of the two.
Religious Studies Major Course Requirements
| Religious Studies Core Knowledge and Skills (3) | |
| Majors must complete a course in each of the following areas: | |
| Introduction to Religion. Satisfied by: | |
| REL 104 | Introduction to Religious Studies |
| or REL 105 | Introduction to Religious Studies, Honors |
| Specific Religious Traditions (3) | |
| Satisfied by 1 course (3 hours) chosen from the following: | |
| Jews, Christians, Muslims | |
| Jews, Christians, Muslims, Honors | |
| Understanding the Bible | |
| Understanding the Bible, Honors | |
| Introduction to Judaism | |
| The Talmud: Its Origins, Nature, and Evolution | |
| Native American Religions | |
| Native American Religions, Honors | |
| Christianity | |
| Islam | |
| The Buddhist Tradition in Asia | |
| Hinduism | |
| Jews and Christians | |
| Modern Jewish Thought | |
| Religion in Specific Regions (3) | |
| Satisfied by 1 course (3 hours) chosen from the following: | |
| Asian Religions | |
| Asian Religions, Honors | |
| Religion in American Society | |
| Religion in American Society, Honors | |
| REL 310 | Religion in Korea |
| History of Religion in America | |
| Religion in Japan | |
| Thematic Approaches to Religion (3) | |
| Satisfied by 1 course (3 hours) chosen from the following: | |
| REL 100 | Introduction to Religious Ethics |
| REL 102 | Violence and Religious Ethics |
| REL 137 | Religious Ethics and Moral Decisions |
| Religious Zionisms | |
| Mysticism | |
| Women and Gender in Islam | |
| REL 362 | Studies in Yoga & Meditation |
| REL 370 | Judaism & Sexuality |
| REL 372 | Religion & the Environment in the United States |
| The Supreme Court and Religious Issues in the United States | |
| Religious Perspectives on Selfhood and Sexuality | |
| Gender and Religion | |
| Judaism and Political Theology | |
| Religious Studies Required Electives (12) | |
| Satisfied by 4 courses (12 hours) within, or cross-listed with, the Religious Studies Department course offerings. | |
| Capstone Experience (3) | |
| Satisfied by: | |
| Senior Seminar in Theories and Methods* | |
*Contact undergraduate Director Dr. Sam Brody (samuelbrody@ku.edu) or Undergradate Advisor J.D. Smith (jdsmith@ku.edu) for information about this requirement.
Religious Studies Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses (above), majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 27 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major, of which 9 must be at the junior/senior level (300+).
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Graduation Plan
With careful planning and commitment to a full-time course load, you can graduate in 4 years. Download a sample 4-year plan for religious studies.
