Philosophy & Religion

Would you like to have a deeper understanding of the Christian faith? Have you ever wondered how the Bible came to be and wanted to understand it better? Do you want to know more about the basic beliefs and practices of the major world religions? Would you like to understand better the relationship between religion and morality or the relevance of religious faith to questions about justice, war and peace, the environment, or other controversial contemporary issues? Have you ever contemplated the meaning of life, the purpose and value of the arts, or the difference between true knowledge and mere belief?

Courses in Religion or Philosophy will stimulate your curiosity about some of life's most profound questions. You may even discover some answers.

You are most likely to find yourself in an introductory Religion or Philosophy course because those courses typically fulfill general education requirements in the Moral Reasoning or Historical and Cultural Perspectives domains.

Possibly, a course you take to meet general education requirements will stimulate your interest and you will want to take additional elective courses. You might even consider a Religion Minor  which involves only 18 hours, or 6 courses in Religion or Philosophy. There are several possible combinations of courses that allow for a minor program with particular concentrations.

The Religion Major  involves 33 hours or eleven courses. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the religious traditions of the world and enables students to think clearly and critically about religious ideas. Through the comparative study of philosophy, sacred texts, religious history, spirituality, theology, and ethics, students learn to think across disciplines and cultures. The major provides a rich encounter with the liberal arts. It also prepares students for seminary or the graduate study of religion. A recent survey of our graduates, many of whom have gone on to seminary and to Christian ministry, indicates that all have felt well-prepare for further study and for professional life.

The JustFaith Christian Leadership Program is an innovative program whose purpose is to prepare and empower leaders for the 21st Century church who are committed to spiritual depth and social justice as integral aspects of the church's ministry in a global context.

Each year, beginning in the fall of 2008 a cohort of students will be selected. Those students will take a series of six Religion courses together leading to a Religion Minor. In addition, they will be part of a covenant group to dig deeper together in spiritual practices of prayer and accountability. Each student will have a seasoned Christian leader to serve as a personal mentor. Experiential learning opportunities—such as mission trips, internships, and retreats—will be an essential aspect of the JustFaith experience. Participation in the program promises to be a transformative experience involving knowing, being, and doing.

The JustFaith Program is a cooperative effort involving the Department of Religion and the Institute for Church Professions.