Religious Studies Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program in the Department of Religious Studies is a research, analytic, and writing intensive program that features close work with faculty in small classroom settings. You will develop a foundational knowledge of the world’s diversity of religious cultures and critical awareness of the ways in which religion shapes how we see and act toward ourselves, others, and the environment around us.
Degrees
Through the study of specific religious traditions and settings, you will come away with a background that is invaluable to understanding and working with people of other cultures. Through hands-on training in research and academic writing, you will acquire substantial communication and critical thinking skills that translate easily into most any profession. As a department that encompasses multiple disciplinary and area studies expertises, we share synergies with units across the university that allow students to nurture all manner of specialized interests when it comes to the study of religions, from pan-regional traditions to localized indigenous religions, from gender, ritual, and material religion to textual studies.
- Research, analysis, and writing-intensive.
- Close work with faculty in small classroom settings.
- Develop understanding of the world’s religious traditions, and the impact of religion on cultural, social, and political issues, present and past.
- Gain knowledge essential to professions in which one works with persons of other cultures, and critical to being an informed citizen in an increasingly globalized world.
- Sharpen critical thinking and communication skills valuable in most any profession.
The B.G.S. develops a foundational knowledge of the world’s diversity of religious cultures in students, while accompanying a secondary field of academic study (a second major, co-major, or minor).
- Research, analysis, and writing-intensive
- Close work with faculty in small classroom settings.
- Develop understanding of the world’s religious traditions, and the impact of religion on cultural, social, and political issues, present and past.
- Gain knowledge essential to professions in which one works with persons of other cultures, and critical to being an informed citizen in an increasingly globalized world.
- Sharpen critical thinking and communication skills valuable in most any profession.
- Pursue a secondary field of study through a second major, co-major, or minor.
The minor in Religious Studies is an 18-hour program that allows you to develop an understanding of religious diversity while pursuing a different major field of study. You will sharpen your skills in critical thinking and communication, invaluable tools in most any career. You will gain knowledge essential to professions in which you work with people from other cultures and critical to being an informed citizen in an increasingly globalized world.
Course offered online*:
REL 102 Violence and Religious Ethics
REL 104 Introduction to Religious Studies
REL 106 Asian Religions
REL 107 Jews, Christians, Muslims
REL 124 Understanding the Bible
REL 137 Religious Ethics and Moral Decisions
REL 325 Introduction to Judaism
REL 350 Islam
REL 360 The Buddhist Tradition in Asia
*Students should check the current schedule of classes in Enroll and Pay or the Classes website for the most up-to-date listings of online courses offered.
KU students can now complete an undergraduate minor in religious studies online. The online minor is an 18-hour program that allows you to develop an understanding of religious diversity while pursuing a different major field of study. The online minor can be completed entirely online or with a mix of online and classroom courses.
REL 102 Violence and Religious Ethics
REL 104 Introduction to Religious Studies
REL 106 Asian Religions
REL 107 Jews, Christians, Muslims
REL 124 Understanding the Bible
REL 137 Religious Ethics and Moral Decisions
REL 309 Religion in Japan
REL 325 Introduction to Judaism
REL 350 Islam
REL 360 The Buddhist Tradition in Asia
REL 372 Religion and the Environment in the United States
*Students should check the current schedule of classes in Enroll and Pay or the Classes website for the most up-to-date listings of online courses offered.
Want to know more? Contact us.
Download our undergraduate program worksheet!
Have questions about undergraduate academic and financial support, ground-breaking research, or mentorship? Want to declare your major or minor in religious studies? Want to know what its like to be a Jayhawk majoring in religious studies? Contact us and hear back from our department!