Bachelor of General Studies in History

at Shorelight Group - University of Kansas USA

The department offers a broad range of courses that provide a basic understanding of human language and communication. Linguistics courses examine features of language that underlie the human capacity to express concepts and communicate ideas. The courses address the connections between language, brain, culture, mind, and history. The major gives students a basic understanding of the human capacity to acquire, perceive, and produce language and of language’s role in contemporary society.

Linguistics is a superb preparation for careers that require expertise in the use of language as a means of communication, e.g., business, communications, personnel administration, teaching, health care, and social service. Many majors pursue graduate study in education, law, psychology, computer science, speech and hearing sciences and languages.

The B.A. in Humanities is an interdisciplinary major that allows students to examine key issues relating to human experiences and the human condition from a variety of perspectives, including philosophy, history, religion, literature, art and language.  Comprised of two tracks – Civilization in a Global Context and Peace and Conflict Studies – the Humanities Major provides a foundation in the liberal arts that prepares students to take part in the world around them and is basic for success in many fields, including business, medicine, law, marketing, sales, and social services.

We engage our students in the practice of design thinking, making and visualization to create beautiful, innovative, and responsible solutions (products, spaces, systems, messages, art objects, experiences, and services) that respond to human needs and enhance the quality of everyday life. Our programs foster the development of real-world problem-solving skills that can be applied to a variety of creative disciplines.

• Illustration & Animation
• Industrial Design
• Photography
• Visual Communication Design

4 specialized options are available for students who plan professional careers in meteorology or atmospheric science. The general meteorology option satisfies all the traditional professional meteorology requirements for employment with the National Weather Service, airlines, or other agencies. The air pollution meteorology option meets the need for trained specialists. The hydrometeorology option may lead to a career as a meteorologist in one of the many water-related activities in private and governmental agencies. The news media forecasting option can lead to a career forecasting the weather on television or radio. The B.S. degree with any of these specialties also prepares students to begin graduate programs in meteorology or atmospheric science.

The strategic communication track prepares students for careers in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and integrated marketing communications. Students develop core skills in writing, editing, storytelling and design throughout their freshman and sophomore years. In upper-level classes, students further develop skills in areas more focused on strategic communications, such as message development, research methods in strategic communications and strategic campaigns. The idea is to help students understand the fundamental skills of journalism, while specializing in more strategic communication based courses. 

The bachelor's degree in foreign language education at the University of Kansas prepares individuals to teach foreign language to children and adolescents in PK-12 settings. The program serves both native language speakers, as well as second language speakers, and allows students to select from five different language options: French, German, Latin, and Spanish. The foreign language program combines general education, professional education, and language-specific courses with multiple field experiences in diverse communities.

Microbiology is the study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, the immune system, and their roles in human health, the environment and beyond. Job prospects for Microbiologists with a bachelor’s or higher degree continue to be strong. The upper-division major courses in immunology, pathogenic microbiology, virology and microbial genetics couple laboratory courses with lecture courses in order to provide students with hands-on practical experience with the material. The B.S. Microbiology major includes all four of the upper-division lecture and laboratory course pairs.

To study with the KU School of Music’s Theory and Composition (MTHC) Area is to engage the passions, both musical and intellectual, of six composers and scholars who have each earned national and international recognition for their contributions to the discipline.

Working with faculty in the division, you will be able to pursue a wide range of scholarly interests and musical styles. Our specialists in music theory research and teach a wide breadth of approaches on diverse subjects. In addition to critical assessment of the standard common-practice and contemporary repertoires, students have the opportunity to learn about specific fields of faculty expertise, including film music, philosophy and critical theory, rhythm and meter, and modern rock music.

Our composers in the division are also skilled teachers who can help you refine your craft and develop your unique compositional voice. Among their vast and varied portfolios, they have each made significant contributions in producing new music for a wide range of genres, including works for wind band and orchestra, opera and choral music, instrumental and vocal chamber music, music for film, and electronic music (particularly involving live performance).

The bachelor's degree in community health at the University of Kansas prepares students for career paths in a variety of public and community-based settings. The program is rigorous and dynamic and allows students who are passionate about health issues in a community setting to work with individuals to develop healthy attitudes and behaviors. Students in this program acquire the knowledge and skills to engage with diverse communities in the development, implementation, and assessment of health promotion programs. Coursework also prepares students for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam.

Our Department will introduce you to histories, cultures and societies in Africa and its Diasporas, with due attention to the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.  Our degrees, with opportunities for fieldwork in Africa or the African Diaspora, encourage students to engage in independent study to maximize their academic and research potential, and prepare for careers in these geographic, cultural, and policy areas.
The Department encourages and welcomes donations for student scholarships, lecture series, teaching and service awards, faculty research, public programming, and other activities.  Please use this link to donate to African and African-American Studies.