The University of Chicago Summer
Introduction to Religious Studies

Introduction to Religious Studies


Course Status: Pre-College Application: Jan 2026

Applications for Pre-College courses will open in early January. We encourage you to review the courses offered below. Remember: you can select up to 3 in your application. We look forward to seeing you!

Course Code

RLST 10100 10

Cross Listed Course Code(s)

SOCI 20541

Course Description

What is religion? Is it the source of truth? Is it fiction? Believe it or not, religion affects what we think, what we do, and how we situate ourselves and others. In this introductory course, we will examine the intertwined histories of the concept of religion and the academic study of religion. We will familiarize ourselves with classical and contemporary theorists of religion and consider the methods, motivations, and historical contexts that have made their theories of religion possible. Along the way, we will survey key concepts such as myth and ritual and relate them to a broader set of problems concerning places, bodies, and politics. Throughout the course, we will discuss the functions of religion within societies, including secular societies, and consider the importance of the study of religion within and beyond the university.

There are no prerequisites for this course. All students are welcome.

Course Criteria

Required course for the major in Religious Studies.

This course is primarily comprised of undergraduate students. A select number of places are reserved for advanced high school students.

The cost of this course for pre-college students is $4,980

Instructor(s)

Staff

Course Duration

Summer Online

Session

Session 2

Course Dates

July 6th - July 24th

Class Days

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

Class Time

1:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Eligibility

11th Grade, 12th Grade, Undergrad

Modality

Remote

Other Courses to Consider

These courses might also be of interest.

  • Internet Censorship and Online Speech
    Internet Censorship and Online Speech

    Information dissemination and online discourse on the Internet are subject to the algorithms and filters that operate on Internet infrastructure, from network firewalls to search engines. This course will explore the technologies that are used to control access to online speech and information, and cutting-edge technologies that can empower citizens in the face of these information controls. You will learn about and experiment with technologies to control online discourse, ranging from firewalls that perform network traffic filtering to algorithms for content personalization and content moderation. We will also explore underlying technical trends, such as the increasing consolidation of Internet infrastructure and protocols, and the implications of consolidation for control over online discourse. Each course meeting will include a technical overview, reading discussion, and a hands-on laboratory activity.

    Remote