Philosophy and Religion Major and Minor

Philosophy Major

Consists of 32 credits to include one upper-division course in non-Western philosophy or religion, an independent study or honors project in philosophy in which a major paper is produced and presented in philosophy seminar senior year, and the following required courses:

Students considering graduate work in philosophy are strongly advised to take PHI-413, Analytic Philosophy.

The Foreign Language Requirement

Students majoring in philosophy can meet the Department’s foreign language requirement by satisfactorily completing the first year of language study at the college level in either a modern or ancient foreign language, or passing a first-year equivalency test.

Philosophy Minor

Consists of 18 credits, to include:

Religion Major

Consists of 32 credits (of which 18 must be upper division), which include the following elements:

Foundations

Non-Western Religion

A course that focuses on one or more non-Western religions (i.e., religions other than Judaism, Christianity or Islam).

Ethics

A course in ethics drawn from either religion or philosophy course listings.

Depth-examination of two religious traditions

At least two upper division courses in Christianity (including REL-315 Christian Theology) and at least two upper division courses in one other religious tradition. These courses may include courses in which a particular tradition plays a prominent role, "topics" Religion courses in which the student designates a focus on a particular religious tradition, and/or REL-399.

REL-494 Independent Study

Honors or independent study project during the senior year in which a major paper is produced; although this paper may focus on an aspect of just one of the religious traditions selected for depth-examination, the project must demonstrate the ability to use the other tradition in an ancillary role. Apart from the "foundations," courses may count for more than one element.

The Foreign Language Requirement

Students majoring in religion can meet the Department’s foreign language requirement by satisfactorily completing the first year of language study at the college level in either a modern or ancient foreign language, or passing a first-year equivalency test.

Religion Minor

Consists of 18 credits (of which at least 9 must be upper division), to include:

Other programs of study that may be of interest to philosophy and religion majors include: