Department of Humanities

Philosophy and Religion

The Philosophy & Religion program offers a minor in Philosophy & Religion and supports the university’s general education curriculum with introductory courses in philosophy, religion, ethics, and critical thinking. The program also offers upper-level courses that support a range of major and minor degree programs across the university. The program has special strengths in social, political, and moral philosophy, and its pluralistic curriculum offers students the opportunity to study thinkers and texts from diverse historical and geographical intellectual traditions. Analytical thinking, analytical writing, and creativity are the core skills students develop when taking courses in the Philosophy & Religion program. Students learn practical ways of applying philosophy in their majors, their professions, and their everyday lives.

Minor Requirements (18 credits) 

Core Classes: 

PHI 2210 – Survey of Global Philosophy (3cr) 

PHI 2240 – Critical Thinking (3cr) 

PHI 3300 – Logic (3cr) 

PHI 2250 – Applied Ethics (3cr) 

Electives (a minimum of 6 credits): 

PHI 2230 – Survey of Global Religions (3cr) 

PHI 3310 – Global Philosophy Ancients (3cr) 

PHI 3311 – Global Philosophy Moderns (3cr) 

PHI 3315 – African Philosophy (3cr) 

PHI 3320 – Philosophy of Religion (3cr) 

PHI 3330 – African and African American Religion s(3cr) 

PHI 3350 – African Philosophy II (3cr) 

PHI 3360 – Philosophy of Science (3cr) 

PHI 3400 – Special Topics (3cr) 

PHI 3200 – Environmental Ethics (3cr) 

PHI 3500 – Disciplines in Philosophy (3cr) 

PHI 4895 – Senior Thesis (3cr) 

  • PHI 2210. Survey of Global Philosophy (I, II; 3) Students analyze some of the major problem areas of philosophy from a global perspective and in a range of time periods. Problems covered include freedom, religion, knowledge, and value.

    PHI 2230. Global Religion (II; 3) Students consider the origins and development of religion on a global basis, with particular attention to the interrelations of beliefs, ritual practices, and values.

    PHI 2240. Critical Thinking (I, II; 3) Students cover the basics of logic, argumentation, and problem solving with emphasis on applications of logic in reading and writing, including the recognition, evaluation, and construction of arguments.

    PHI 2250. Applied Ethics (I; 3) Students apply ethical theory to a range of contemporary personal, social, and professional issues. The role of ethics in community life is explored and the sources of values, norms and principles are investigated.

    PHI 3200. Environmental Ethics (I, II, III; 3) This course provides an overview of the philosophical and ethical dimensions of the environmental crisis, including environmental politics, animal rights, and non-western views. This course will cover the main schools of thought in environmentalism from the pro-corporate wise use through to the most radical pro-environmental stances with the intent being not only to produce a better understanding but also to provide various tools/solutions. Prerequisite: PHI 2240.

    PHI 3300. Logic and Scientific Method (II; 3) Students learn the basics of symbolic logic and investigate how logic is applied in the social and natural sciences.

    PHI 3310. Global Philosophy to 1500 (I; 3) Students trace the development of philosophy from the ancient world until the beginning of the modern age from a global perspective.

    PHI 3311. Global Philosophy: 1500-Present (II; 3) Students trace the development of philosophy from 1500 to the present from a global perspective.

    PHI 3315. African Philosophy (I; 3) Students consider various accounts of the origins of African Philosophy in ancient Egypt as well as the more recent development of African Philosophy as an academic discipline since the 1960s.

    PHI 3320. Philosophy of Religion (II; 3) Students investigate the nature and role of religion, including problems of religious knowledge and experience. Attention is paid to the impact of liberation theology on traditional religious thinking.

    PHI 3330. African and African American Religion (I; 3) Students examine religion in various African cultures prior to contact with Islam and Christianity, trace recent developments in African Religion and study the origins and history of religious institutions and traditions among African Americans.

    PHI 3350. African American Philosophy (II; 4) Students engage in philosophical analysis of African American thought from colonial times through the present. Movements, tendencies and individual thinkers are covered. The concepts of oppression and liberation are central to the course.

    PHI 3360. Philosophy of Science (I; 3) Students inquire into the concepts and methods of science and investigate the relationship of science to other aspects of human culture.

    PHI 3400. Topics in Philosophy and Religion (On demand; 3) Students investigate some topic or interrelated set of topics in philosophy and/or religion. The course is intended primarily for philosophy minors.

    PHI 3500. Disciplines Within Philosophy (I, On Demand; 3) This is an advanced course that provides deep analysis into the various disciplines/schools of thought within Philosophy. This course is writing intensive. Prerequisites: PHI 2240 or PHI 2210.

    PHI 4895. Senior Thesis (On demand; 3) Philosophy minors complete and defend undergraduate theses that demonstrate competency in the student’s major field and in the relevant skills and knowledge of the general education program. Recommended for students considering graduate or professional school. Prerequisites: Senior status and philosophy minor.