The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
encompasses two disciplines that share a commitment to pursue the fundamental
questions of human existence and to examine the various ways in which the
traditions of philosophy and religion have answered these questions.
The philosophy program is designed to encourage students to
think creatively and critically, to analyze important texts and issues in the
history of philosophy, and to bring challenges and contemporary perspectives to
that tradition. The term “philosophy” literally means “love of wisdom,” and
courses in philosophy range from considerations of how we should live to the
nature of human knowing.
The academic study of religion is an exciting approach to a
liberal arts education. It is inherently interdisciplinary—drawing upon the
insights of history, sociology, politics, philosophy, and literature, among
others. The program is designed to provide opportunities for students to
approach religious traditions in a variety of ways—including an exploration of
rituals, beliefs, theology, ethics, communal worship, etc. With courses in the
study of the Bible and the history of Christian thought, the major gives
students a solid grounding in Christian traditions. The program is further
designed to expose students to the rich history and variety of the world’s
religious traditions.
Required Courses for the Philosophy Major
(31 semester hours):
PHIL
101 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL
201 Logic
PHIL/RELG 207 Ethics
Two of the following three courses from the history sequence:
PHIL 205 Classical and Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 307 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 311 Contemporary Philosophy
PHIL
450 Senior Project (or an additional elective
in philosophy)
PHIL 452 Senior Research
Four
elective courses.
Required Courses for the Religious Studies Major (31 semester hours):
The following two courses (or other designated courses) in sacred scripture:
RELG
101 Introduction to the Old Testament
RELG 108 Introduction to the New Testament
The following two courses (or other designated courses) in beliefs and
practices:
RELG
210 Judaism and Islam
RELG
300 Philosophy and Religions of Asia
Two of the following courses (or other designated courses) in
theology/philosophy:
RELG 200 Topics in the History of Christian Thought
RELG 207
Ethics: Philosophical and Religious
RELG 213
Philosophy of Religion
RELG
320 Individualized Study
RELG 450 Senior Project (or an additional elective in
religious studies)
Three electives in
religious studies.
Required Courses for the Philosophy Minor
(15 semester hours):
PHIL
101 Introduction to Philosophy
Two courses from the history sequence.
Two elective courses in philosophy.
Required Courses for the Religious Studies Minor
(15 semester hours):
RELG
200 Topics in the History of Christian Thought
One of the following courses:
RELG 101 Introduction to Old Testament
RELG
108 Introduction to New Testament
One course in cross-cultural materials,
such as RELG 300 Philosophy and Religions of Asia.
Two elective courses in religious studies.
Required Courses for the Philosophy and Religious
Studies Minor (15
semester hours):
The joint
minor consists of five elective courses, with at least two courses in each
discipline, and at least one course above the 200 level. The set of five courses
must be approved by the department chair when the minor is declared. The minor
is not available to Philosophy or Religious Studies majors and acts as an
alternative to both majors and both minors.