Feb 05, 2025

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy - Philosophy and Religion Concentration (BA)

Program Educational Goals

1. Develop a good understanding of the central topics of philosophy and their relevance for the philosophical study of religion.

2. Understand the methods of philosophical inquiry: a. How philosophical analyses and theories are developed, defended, and criticized. b. How to recognize and evaluate the logical structure of reasoning in philosophical and other work.

3. Interpret, analyze, and evaluate philosophical, religious and theological texts, by identifying, analyzing, and evaluating their argumentative and logical content.

4. Engage honestly and respectfully with opposing views, inviting and anticipating challenges to one’s own views, and responding constructively to those challenges.

5. Understand how to apply philosophical methods and theories to issues arising in society and religion.

6. Write clear, analytical, and persuasive essays using original, philosophical argumentation

Four Year Plan

Please refer to the Four-Year Plan for departmental recommended path toward graduation.

University Requirements:

ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing (C- minimum)
First Year Seminar (FYS) (0-4 credits)
Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) (three credits)
Multicultural Requirement (three credits)
University Breadth Requirements (C- minimum):
- Creative Arts and Humanities (three credits)
- History and Cultural Change (three credits)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (three credits)
- Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (three credits)
Capstone Experience

College Requirements:

College Breadth Requirements:

The College Breadth requirements are in addition to the University Breadth requirement. Up to three credits from each of the University Breadth Requirement categories may be used to simultaneously satisfy these College of Arts and Sciences Breadth Requirements. Minimum grade C- required for courses used to satisfy College Breadth.

GROUP A: Creative Arts and Humanities (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP B: History and Cultural Change (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP C: Social and Behavioral Sciences (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP D: Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (Ten credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units and including a minimum of one course with an associated laboratory)

*If the grade earned is sufficient, a course may be applied toward more than one requirement (e.g., breadth and major requirements), but the credits are counted only once toward the total credits for graduation. If all but one course in a group has been taken in one department or program, a course cross-listed with that program will not satisfy the distribution requirement.

Foreign Language:

Completion of the intermediate-level course (107 or 202) in an ancient or modern language with minimum grades of D-.
- The number of credits (0-12) needed and initial placement will depend on the number of years of high school study of foreign language.
  - Students with four or more years of high school work in a single foreign language, or who have gained proficiency in a foreign language by other means, may attempt to fulfill the requirement in that language by taking an exemption examination through the Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department.

Mathematics:

The math requirement must be completed by the time a student has earned 60 credits. Students who transfer into the College of Arts and Sciences with 45 credits or more must complete this requirement within two semesters.

Complete one of the following four options (minimum grade D-):

Option One:

MATH 113 - Contemporary Mathematics Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who do not intend to continue to the study of mathematics)

Option Two:

One of the following:

MATH 114 - College Mathematics and Statistics Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who do not intend to continue the study of mathematics)
MATH 115 - Pre-Calculus Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who intend to continue the study of mathematics)
MATH 117 - Pre-Calculus for Scientists and Engineers Credit(s): 4 (designed to prepare students for MATH 241 )

Option Three:

Successful completion of any 200-level or higher mathematics course except: MATH 201 , MATH 202 , MATH 205 , MATH 251 , MATH 252 , MATH 253 , and MATH 266 .

Option Four:

Successful performance on a proficiency test in mathematics administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences (0 credits awarded).

Second Writing Requirement:

A Second Writing Requirement approved by the College of Arts and Sciences. This course must be taken after completion of 60 credit hours, completed with a minimum grade of C-, and the section enrolled must be designated as satisfying the requirement in the academic term completed.

Major Requirements

30 PHIL credits minimum; 45 PHIL credits maximum. A grade of C- is required in all major courses.

History of Philosophy

Two of the following.

PHIL 300 - Medieval Philosophy Credit(s): 3 *
PHIL 301 - Ancient Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 303 - Modern Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 305 - Twentieth-Century Philosophy Credit(s): 3

Logic.

One of the following.

PHIL 105 - Critical Thinking Credit(s): 3
PHIL 205 - Logic Credit(s): 3

Foundations.

PHIL 203 - Ethics Credit(s): 3
PHIL 204 - World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 209 - Philosophy of Religion Credit(s): 3

Epistemology / Metaphysics courses