religon
The education mission of the philosophy and religion department serves the
general studies core and the major. The department takes seriously its
obligation to introduce general studies students to philosophy and religion as
humanities disciplines. All courses at the 100 and 200 level are open to and
designed for students at different stages of their general education, yet the
department also seeks to offer a balanced array of courses for majors and
minors.
Course offerings in philosophy introduce students to logic, the history of
western philosophy, a sample of important areas of philosophical investigation
and applied philosophy. In every philosophy course, the careful analysis and
construction of arguments is emphasized. Reading and discussion of primary
sources is preferred to textbook summaries in most courses.
Course offerings in religion cover biblical studies, the history of Christian
thought, world religions (Judaism, Islam, and South and East Asian religions),
and religious ethics. Nearly all courses contain a strong emphasis on the
historical development of religious ideas and practices. Students are taught to
interpret texts rather than to amass pre-interpreted information.
Since the core religion requirement is connected with the colleges identity as
a liberal arts college in the Christian tradition, the department offers a wide
variety of courses which introduce students to the sources and development of
the Christian tradition, with other religious traditions presented on their own
terms, not in relation to Christianity.
PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy major requirements
30 semester hours
Including 3 semester hours in logic:
PHIL 125 General Logic (3)
221t Classical Thought (3)
222t Modern Thought (3)
18 semester hours at the 200-300 level
Philosophy minor requirements
15 semester hours
9 semester hours at the 200-300 level, including:
PHIL 125 General Logic (3)
3 semester hours in history of philosophy:
221t Classical Thought (3)
222t Modern Thought (3)
3 semester hours from the following:
240t Political Philosophy (3)
260t Metaphysics (3)
261t Moral Philosophy (3)
262 Philosophies of the Sciences (3)
264t Theory of Knowledge
360It Readings in Metaphysics (3)
361It Readings in Moral Philosophy (3)
399I Independent Study (Arr)
Philosophy/religion minor requirements
18 semester hours
18 semester hours from the philosophy/religion tracks, selected to focus on a
particular theme such as great ideas, beliefs and values, or the Christian
faith. The department must approve the minor, both as to thematic focus
and to the courses used to satisfy it.
Students wishing to complete such a minor should have a minor adviser within
the department. With department approval, one course from outside the
department and outside the students first major may be used to count
toward the minor.
Critical thinking minor requirement
18 semester hours
18 semester hours chosen from the following list:
One advanced course from the students major field which treats theory or
methodology (subject to the approval of the philosophy and religion).
At least one course in logic or persuasion:
PHIL 125 General Logic
221t Classical Thought or
COMM 318 Persuasion
At least two courses in the history of thought:
PHIL 221t Classical Thought
222t Modern Thought
223 Contemporary Thought or
REL 230r Asian Religions
272r Modern Christian Thought or
One course (if needed) from:
PHIL 120ft Introduction to Philosophy
121ft Ethics or
REL 112fr The Christian Heritage or
255r Christian Ethics
Communication skills endorsement
The skills endorsement of the philosophy and religion department indicates
that the student who completes a major in either philosophy or religion can
verbally communicate at the high level appropriate for the recipient of a
Bachelor of Arts degree in core areas of a liberal-arts curriculum.
To insure achievement at the required level, the communication performance
of philosophy and religion majors will be monitored from the time of
declaration. An evaluation of the students abilities will be made in the
earliest class possible and assessments and recommendations deriving from
this evaluation will be discussed with the student and the students adviser.
Where appropriate, evaluation and recommendation will continue through the
coursework in the major until such time as the appropriate faculty (philosophy
or religion) is satisfied that the student is consistently performing at the
desired level.
Course offerings in PHIL
120ft Introduction to Philosophy (3)
An examination of four significant philosophical issues, typically including one
social issue (e.g., the morality of capital punishment), ethical relativism and
objectivity, relationship between human freedom and the scientific outlook,
and rationality of belief in God). Develops analytical thinking, critical reading
and writing and sensitivity to argumentation.
121ft Ethics (3)
The course examines two questions which have exercised moral philosophers
in the West at least since the time of Plato: Are assessments of moral right
and wrong any more than expressions of personal or group preferences? What
is the proper relation between morality and the law in a society that values
highly the rights and interests of individuals? The course promotes college-level
skills especially writing and analytical reading.
122f Social Issues (3)
Addresses issues that create conflicts and controversies in contemporary
society such as the legality and morality of abortion, the death penalty,
homosexuality, and pornographic material. Promotes college-level skills,
especially writing and analytical reading.