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The Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies is situated in the old library building on the Western side of Kenyatta University’s Main Campus, opposite the University Games Department. It was started in 1972 when the then Kenyatta University College admitted its first undergraduate students, to study for the B.Ed degree. It was made up of first two distinct sections namely, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
The student population grew steadily particularly after Kenyatta University College became a full fledged university in 1985 and as a result of the double intakes of 1987 and 1990. This was marched with a corresponding growth of the number of academic staff rising from 2 to 7 in Philosophy and 11 to 28 in Religious Studies. Consequently the department was split into two distinct departments; the department of Philosophy and that of Religious Studies. However, in 2004, as a result of the restructuring of the departments in the university, the departments of Religious Studies and Philosophy were once again merged into one department.
Vision
The vision of the PRS department is to be a centre of professionals and researchers distinguished by diligent inquiry, critical reflection, dynamism, innovation and self-reliance.
Mission Statement
The mission of PRS department is to provide quality education and training which promote skills, attitudes and values that enhance a sense of autonomy, inquiry, self-examination and responsible thinking.
Identity Statement
PRS Department is “a community of scholars committed to the dissemination of knowledge and promotion of values for individual and societal transformation”.
Philosophy Statement
PRS department is “promotion of a humane society founded on authentic moral and ethical values”.
Objectives
The objectives of PRS department are to;
- Enhance the culture of critical and analytical reflection in approaching contemporary societal issues.
- Produce professionals and researchers who utilize their knowledge for the service of society.
- Promote multi-disciplinary discourse and interaction through service courses to other departments in the University.
- Promote mutual understanding of cultures and religions through teaching, research and social interaction.
Internal LinksThe department is part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences but offers courses to students from other schools of the university. In addition, Philosophy section offers a mandatory university common unit (UCU) known as Critical and Creative Thinking to all undergraduate students in the university. External Links
The Department has linkages with the following Institutions: Life and Peace Institute (Uppsala Sweden) Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT), International Association for History of Religions, Institute of Social Studies (Hague, Netherlands), and Philosophical Association of Kenya (PAK).
Research Activities
Postgraduate students are engaged in various research activities which include: Human rights, corruption, gender philosophy, biomedical ethics, Logic and law, management ethics, methodology of science, and conflict management.
Staff Members are presently engaged in research in the following areas:
- Critical and Creative thinking skills
- Decision analysis and problem solving
- Leadership studies
- Gender philosophy
- African philosophy
- Logic and Law
- Philosophy of development
- Environmental ethic
- Professional practice and ethics
- Religion and Conflicts
- Religion and HIV/ AIDs
- Religion and Substance abuse
- Challenge of Interfaith dialogue
- Religion and Science
- Religion and Environmental Management
- Religion and Globalisation
- Religion, Politics and Public Morality
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Departments