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Philosophy
The goals of the discipline are to develop critical
thinking skills, as well as a depth of perspective about
the major philosophical questions human beings face.
Requirements for a major include 30 credits in philosophy. Requirements for a minor involve 18 credits in philosophy, with courses to be selected in consultation with a member of the philosophy faculty. See the course catalog…
Sample Courses
Core: The Life of Reason (PHIL
212)
This class is an introduction to
the basic philosophical questions. What is it all about?
What can we know? What does it mean to be human? What is
the good life? What is the best kind of community?
Students are encouraged to develop their reasoning skills
in order to discover answers to these questions. The
class is offered every semester (3 credits).
Philosophy of the Person (PHIL
302)
This class is an investigation into basic questions of
human nature, such as “What does it mean to be
human?” and “What are people for?” The
answers offered by philosophers will be compared with the
ideas presented in contemporary media, theater, and
literature (3 credits).
Thought and Culture (PHIL 326)
This
class offers an analysis of the world we live in as
reflected in the ideas, myths, and symbols that surround
us. The focus is on questions that reveal conflicts deep
within the culture. For example: “Why is there so
much violence?” “What does technology really
do for us and to us?” “How did ‘the
environment’ become a problem?” and “Is
the family relevant anymore?” (3 credits).
Religious Studies
Students examine the feelings, ideas, rituals, values,
ethics, and history of the major religious traditions of
the world, and how they affect the lives of believers.
Requirements for the major: Students take 27 credits of upper-level courses in addition to the core requirement of RELS 208. Requirements for minor: Students complete Religious Studies 208 and 15 credits in religious studies courses at the 300 and 400 levels. See the course catalog…
Sample Courses
Core: The Life of Faith (RELS
208)
This class offers critical and
in-depth study of fundamental dimensions of religious
experience common to a wide diversity of faiths. This
includes reflection upon the responsibility of the
individual to and for the community of other people and
nature. The course is offered every semester (3 credits).
Modern Catholic Thinkers (RELS
327)
This course is a study of the Catholic faith and
experience in light of modern thought. It examines such
innovative Catholic thinkers of this century as Merton,
Rahner, Daly, Teilhard de Chardin, Kung, Sobrino, and
Ruether. The course is offered every spring (3 credits).
Belief and Unbelief (RELS 420)
This course is a critical analysis of the historical,
philosophical, scientific, and religious roots of
contemporary atheism and agnosticism. It includes an
in-depth critical analysis of the various reasons why
people do and do not believe in God (3 credits).