2014-2015 PILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES Dr. Kip H. Redick, Chair McMurran Hall 105 (757) 594-8827 [email protected] Faculty presuppositions. Students who take only a few courses in Professor: K. Rose, Schweig, Strehle, Teschner, philosophy benefi t by enhancing their persuasive, expres- Underwood sive, and analytic skills. A liberal arts degree in general Associate Professor: Redick, Silverman, and a philosophy degree specifi cally situates students in J. M. Thompson, Timani the deepest refl ections of humanity, empowering them to Assistant Professor: Jelinek, Park go into a broad range of practical professions that make use Lecturer: Homan, Hutchinson of critical reasoning and necessary communication skills Emeriti: Campbell, Beauchamp, Powell in a dramatically changing world. Mission Statement The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies The mission of the Department of Philosophy and offers the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, the Bachelor of Religious Studies is to foster rational investigation toward Arts in Philosophy with concentrations in Pre-Seminary the great philosophical questions of existence, knowledge, Studies or Religious Studies and a minor in philosophy. ethics and religious thought and practice. The department These concentrations allow students to explore their pri- focuses on engaging students in ways of knowing and mary areas of interest while pursing a Philosophy degree. believing in diverse cultures and religions in the ancient, The Pre-seminary concentration provides the student medieval, modern and contemporary world. with a broad view of various religions and a focus on the The faculty seeks to cultivate a learning environment discipline of theology while at the same time applying in which students broaden their perspectives, refi ne their religious concepts to issues of value and practice. The thinking, and learn to reason and communicate in a critical, concentration seeks to prepare the student for further studies clear, and consistent manner. Students and faculty work in religion beyond those encountered in their undergraduate together addressing timeless questions related to the human education. Students who concentrate in pre-seminary search for meaning, truth, value and spirituality. studies are expected to do a practicum in the religion of their choice. The area provides opportunity to do fi eld Majoring in Philosophy and Religious Studies at work at churches, mosques, synagogues, and Buddhist and CNU prepares students for graduate study in diverse fi elds Hindu temples. including philosophy, theology, seminary, law, education, and international studies, as well as for living a productive The Religious Studies concentration enables students and creative life in any vocation. In addition to preparing to engage in the empathetic and critical analysis of people for a profession in these fi elds and for an enriched religious traditions in order to understand their historical life generally, philosophy is also an entry point for a variety development and their present character. As an academic of other professions. Philosophy majors enter graduate discipline, religious studies does not seek to promote school for advanced degrees in various humanities dis- or to censure any particular creed, institution, or way of ciplines and then go on to college-level teaching. Others life. Rather, it involves the exploration and clarifi cation enter graduate programs in business administration or law, of diverse religious traditions with particular attention for which training in logical analysis and value-awareness towards their similarities and differences. As a part of a provides an excellent background. According to the Law liberal education, religious studies fosters curiosity about School Admission Council data, philosophy/theology stu- the world’s religious traditions and an awareness of one’s dents rank fi rst or second highest in performance on the own religious and cultural heritage both through knowledge LSAT among a set of 29 disciplines surveyed. Addition- of the religious traditions infl uencing one’s own personal ally, philosophy majors have among the highest rates of life and culture and also through knowledge of other acceptance to law school of any major. The offerings of traditions having comparable infl uence in the lives of other the department fully prepare students for graduate work persons and in other cultures. Such awareness should aid in philosophy and religious studies as well as for the con- in understanding and articulating personal convictions in tinuation of their education in other academic disciplines. relation to matters of religious concern. A central focus Students who minor in philosophy are enriched in their of the religious studies concentration is the Vision Course understanding of their major fi eld of study by gaining Series. These courses explore the diverse visions of life broader insight into its intellectual history and theoretical opened up by religious traditions. They also provide insight into how cultures shape and are shaped by religions. 199 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES 2014-2015 Advising 4. Select one (3 credits) Historical Studies: RSTD 319, See the University Registrar to formally declare your 335, 350; PHIL 317, 348 or 349; major/minor and/or add a concentration. They will be able 5. Select one (3 credits) Value Analysis: RSTD 312, to assign the appropriate adviser in order to discuss career 315, 326W, 337, 338; PHIL 304, 306, 308, 315, 319, possibilities, requirements, and scheduling. For all other 337 or 376; questions you may contact the department secretary at 6. Select one (3 credits) Comparative Studies: RSTD (757) 594-8827. 236, 310, 318, 330, 340 or 345; 7. Select two (6 credits) courses in PHIL and/or RSTD; The Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy 8. Submit a portfolio of all written work completed in In addition to requiring successful completion of the all written philosophy and religious studies courses liberal learning curriculum, the Bachelor of Arts degree in taken at CNU; philosophy requires successful completion of the following 9. Successfully complete the CNU Philosophy and Reli- courses in major and elective studies: gious studies departmental comprehensive exam. 1. PHIL 101, 205, 451, 490W; 2. PHIL 201, 202; Those who complete the pre-seminary studies concen- 3. Select one (3 credits) Ethics/Value Analysis: PHIL tration are encouraged to take elective courses that support 304, 315, 319, 337, 376 or 384; the concentration. Students interested in scholarship or 4. Select one (3 credits) Epistemology/Metaphysics: teaching are strongly encouraged to pursue language studies PHIL 305, 317, 320 or 308; in Greek, Latin, or German. Students interested in practical 5. Select four (12 credits) 300-400 level courses in PHIL ministry should consider language studies in Spanish. and/or RSTD; 6. Submit a portfolio of all written work completed in RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAM all philosophy and religious studies courses taken at Dr. Kenneth T. Rose, Director CNU; McMurran Hall 129 7. Successfully complete the CNU Philosophy and (757) 594-7965 Religious Studies departmental comprehensive ex- [email protected] amination. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy Religious Studies Concentration PRE-SEMINARY STUDIES PROGRAM The concentration in religious studies can benefi t Dr. Kip H. Redick, Director those responsible for instructing others in religious mat- McMurran Hall 109 ters (whether as paid professionals or as volunteers). (757) 594-7801 Generally, in fact, any person responsible for dealing with [email protected] other persons in counseling and healing roles should have The Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy some knowledge of the function of religion in the lives of Pre-Seminary Studies Concentration individuals and cultures. Sensitive understanding of these The pre-seminary studies concentration will prepare matters can only enhance one’s effectiveness. the undergraduate student for further graduate seminary In addition to requiring successful completion of the education in a number of religious traditions. This con- liberal learning curriculum, the concentration in religious centration will give students a broad view of religion and studies requires successful completion of the following: foster the necessary intellectual methods that open them 1. PHIL 101, 205, 451, 490W; to focused studies in particular traditions. Courses taken 2. RSTD 211, 212; to fulfi ll the requirements of the pre-seminary studies 3. Select three (9 credits) Comparative and Historical concentration will challenge personal beliefs by present- Studies: RSTD 220, 232, 260, 256, 270, 318, 319, ing opportunities to understand the world’s diversity of 330, 335, 340 or 350; religious expression and thereby provide a greater context 4. Select three (9 credits) courses in PHIL and/or RSTD, for understanding faith in a world where people of various two at the 300-400 level.. religious traditions interact regularly. 5. Submit a portfolio of all written work completed in In addition to requiring successful completion of all written philosophy and religious studies courses the liberal learning curriculum, the concentration in pre- taken at CNU; seminary studies requires successful completion of the 6. Successfully complete the CNU Philosophy and Reli- following: gious Studies departmental comprehensive exam. 1. PHIL 101, 205, 451, 490W; Those who complete the religious studies concentra- 2. RSTD 361, 362, 491; tion are encouraged to take