Philosophy: Religious Studies Option, BA

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This major is administered by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies .

Program Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of the Philosophy Program with an option in Religious Studies, you will be able to:

Demonstrate an ability to read closely and write effectively about texts or cultural artifacts that reflect on perennial questions concerning the human condition
Engage a variety of ideas and worldviews through active investigation of the lives, ideas, beliefs or values of persons meaningfully different than oneself
Identify, analyze, and explain central components, concepts, and content of the major intellectual traditions in Western Philosophy or World Religions
Demonstrate the ability to interpret, describe, and compare religious phenomena as they intersect with diverse historical, social, and cultural contexts

Consists of a minimum of 39 credits. At least 18 must be 300-level or above.

Philosophy core, 12 credits

Logic, 3 credits

PHIL 121 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3 or
PHIL 322 - Symbolic Logic Credits: 3

Ethics, 3 credits

Choose from:

PHIL 101 - Introduction to Ethics in Society Credits: 3
PHIL 302 - Ethics and Medicine Credits: 3
PHIL 305 - Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 335 - Ethics of War Credits: 3
PHIL 336 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 350 - Feminist Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 351 - Ecofeminism Credits: 3
PHIL 380 - Environmental Ethics Credits: 3

Two additional courses

Take any two additional courses in philosophy.

Religious studies concentration, 27 credits

Introduction to the Study of Religion

REL 202 - Introduction to the Study of Religion Credits: 3

Asian and Indigenous Traditions

Two courses from:

REL 100 - Religions of Asia Credits: 3
REL 333 - Women and Goddesses in India Credits: 3
REL 340 - Buddhism Credits: 3
REL 341 - Religions of India Credits: 3
PHIL 105 - Philosophy and Religion of India and China Credits: 3

Western Traditions

Two courses from:

REL 101 - Judaism, Christianity, Islam Credits: 3
REL 111 - Religious Diversity in Modern America Credits: 3
REL 303 - Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament) Credits: 3
REL 304 - New Testament and Early Christianity Credits: 3
REL 311 - American Religious History Credits: 3
REL 317 - New Religious Movements Credits: 3
REL 318 - Religion and Popular Culture Credits: 3
REL 330 - Women and Religion Credits: 3
REL 343 - Judaism Credits: 3
REL 344 - Christianity Credits: 3
REL 363 - Religion and Society in Ancient Israel Credits: 3

Senior seminar

REL 450 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3 or
REL 499 - Independent Study Capstone Credits: 3

Electives, 9 credits

A minimum of 9 additional credits from religious studies or collateral courses including:

ANTH 110 - Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3
ANTH 339 - Native Cultures of North America Credits: 3
ANTH 380 - Medical Anthropology Credits: 3
ART 170 - Survey of Asian Art I Credits: 3
HIST 332 - Middle Eastern Women’s History Credits: 3
HIST 357 - The Reformation Credits: 3
PHIL 310 - Metaphysics Credits: 3
PHIL 320 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
PHIL 327 - 19th and 20th Century Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 330 - Existential Philosophy Credits: 3

World Language Courses, 0-8 credits

Complete a two-semester sequence of university entry-level world language courses (101, 102). The requirement may be fulfilled through equivalent coursework or other language acquisition as demonstrated through a test-out policy (including Native American languages and American Sign Language). If your native language is not English and you can document formal high school or university study of your native language, you may use ENGL 101 and ENGL 202 , or ENGL 150 as a means of fulfilling this world language requirement. Please see the Department of World Languages and Literatures for details.