a c a d e m i c     p r o g r a m s

College of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide

Philosophy and Religion

Michael Lipton, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair

Professor
Stephen L. Nathanson, PhD

Associate Professors
William J. DeAngelis, PhD
Gordon E. Pruett, PhD
Susan M. Setta, PhD

Assistant Professor
Patricia Illingworth, JD, PhD

Lecturers
Margaret C. Huff
Michael C. Meyer, PhD


Philosophy addresses questions and theories related to art, religion, morality, society, and natural and social sciences. The study of philosophy challenges students to examine, through critical reflection, their beliefs in many areas.

Courses aim to provide students with an understanding of the methods and traditions of philosophical and religious thought. Through readings, discussion, and writing, students examine questions concerning the nature and validity of religious beliefs, moral judgments, and scientific theories as well as questions about values and social policy in such areas as law, medicine, and technology.

Course work in philosophy can strengthen the student's work in other areas. Philosophy majors enter diverse careers, ranging from college-level teaching to law. The program strives to help students sharpen their critical abilities. The department offers three ways to major in philosophy: the standard major, the concentration in law and ethics, and the concentration in religious studies.

See course descriptions for more information.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Curriculum

The standard major offers the maximum number of electives to enable students to follow their own interests. PHL 1200, Introduction to Logic 1 or PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; PHL 1225, Ancient Philosophy; PHL 1230, Modern Philosophy; one of the following four: PHL 1400, Theory of Knowledge; PHL 1405, Metaphysics; PHL 1335, Moral Philosophy; PHL 1435, Philosophy of Mind; at least one seminar; and eight philosophy electives (to be selected after consultation with the student's adviser) to bring the total number of quarter hours in philosophy to fifty-two.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Minor Curriculum

PHL 1100, Introduction to Philosophy 1 or PHL 1105, Introduction to Scientific Method; PHL 1225, Ancient Philosophy or PHL 1230, History of Modern Philosophy; PHL 1200, Introduction to Logic 1 or PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; one of the following four: PHL 1435, Philosophy of Mind; PHL 1400, Theory of Knowledge; PHL 1405, Metaphysics; PHL 1335, Moral Philosophy; and three philosophy electives.

Concentration in law and ethics. Designed for the philosophy major seeking a career in law, the concentration focuses on the areas of law, social and political philosophy, and applied ethics. The concentration structures the electives so that the student's major serves both the fields of philosophy and those traditionally considered pre-law. PHL 1200, Introduction to Logic 1 or PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; PHL 1225, Ancient Philosophy; PHL 1230, Modern Philosophy; one of the following four: PHL 1400, Theory of Knowledge; PHL 1405, Metaphysics; PHL 1335, Moral Philosophy; PHL 1435, Philosophy of Mind; at least one philosophy seminar; and three electives drawn from the following: PHL 1130, Ethics: East and West; PHL 1135, Philosophical Problems of Law and Justice; PHL 1140, Social and Political Philosophy; PHL 1165, Moral Problems in Medicine; PHL 1170, Business Ethics; three law-related courses to be chosen in consultation with the student's adviser and drawn from social science departments; and three philosophy electives to bring the total number of quarter hours in the major to fifty-two.

Concentration in religious studies. Designed for philosophy majors seeking a career in religious studies, this concentration focuses on providing competency in comparative religion, textual analysis, and methodology. Through the concentration in religious studies, the students will understand the basic theologies, practices, and ethical systems of several of the world's larger faith traditions. PHL 1200, Introduction to Logic 1 or PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; PHL 1225, Ancient Philosophy; PHL 1230, Modern Philosophy; PHL 1400, Theory of Knowledge; PHL 1405, Metaphysics or PHL 1335, Moral Philosophy; PHL 1435, Philosophy of Mind; at least one seminar; PHL 1290, Cults and Sects or PHL 1345, Philosophy of Religion; three of the following: PHL 1100, Introduction to Religion: PHL 1275, Eastern Religions; PHL 1280, Islam; PHL 1315, Understanding the Bible; and five philosophy and religion electives to bring the total number of quarter hours in the major to fifty-two.

Back to:
Curriculum Guide Index
Arts and Sciences Intro