Programs - Kendall College of Arts and Sciences

Programs

The minor offered in philosophy and religion is designed to deepen the understanding of humanity’s personal and cultural experience. Students may profit from these courses regardless of their major field of study or career intentions.

The belief and practices of religious humanity, past and present, are treated in the course offerings of this faculty. Philosophy explores the most fundamental questions about human life, including the nature and meaning of the basic elements of human experience and the limits of knowledge.

These offerings include introductory courses of interest to the general student and courses in the following curriculum areas: the Bible and literature; ethics and society; and philosophy and religion.

The course of study encourages a critical approach to religious texts and traditions, emphasizing literary, historical, philosophical, theological, and moral inquiries.

The course of study introduces students to the great thinkers and ideas that have shaped our past and present culture. Students develop a variety of important intellectual skills, including critical thinking and evaluation, the ability to see implications and alternatives, to read and write with insight and logical precision, and to undertake graduate and professional studies.

Students of Philosophy will explore the moral and political philosophy, philosophy of logic, philosophy of language, the history of analytic philosophy, ancient philosophy, Kant and Wittgenstein to name a few. Faculty will help students articulate in speaking and writing clearly, in thinking and reasoning clearly and draw connections among the many ideas that abound.

Courses are taught in the following curriculum areas: the Bible; early Christian thought; medieval Christian and Jewish thought; studies in Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism; ethics and society; church-state relations; and philosophy and religion. Like other degree programs in the humanities, the Bachelor of Arts in religion cultivates the habits of mind one needs in order to think and write with care and precision, and prepares one for graduate and professional studies.

  • Program Objectives

    LEARNING OBJECTIVES

    1. Students will develop an understanding of how great thinkers and ideas in philosophy and religion, with an emphasis on philosophical traditions, have shaped our culture.
    2. Students will develop analytic and interpretive reading skills by reading texts in philosophy and religion, with an emphasis on philosophical traditions. As a result, students will develop a variety of important intellectual skills, including critical thinking and evaluation, the ability to see implications and alternatives, and to read and write with insight and persuasive power.

    RELIGION

    Outcomes for Learning Objective 1

    • Students on track to complete the undergraduate program in Philosophy and Religion will be able to demonstrate and understanding of tensions in religious traditions.
    • Students on track to complete the undergraduate program in Philosophy and Religion will be able to interpret and evaluate masterpieces of religious traditions.
    • Students on track to complete the undergraduate program in Philosophy and Religion will be able to demonstrate knowledge of central movements, arguments, and approaches of religious traditions.

    Outcomes for Learning Objective 2

    • Students on track to complete the major in Philosophy and Religion will be able to demonstrate reading comprehension of conceptually dense, logically complex religious texts with sensitivity to their context.
    • Students on track to complete the undergraduate program in Philosophy and Religion will be able to demonstrate a grasp of the arguments advanced in lectures, discussions and assigned readings.
    • Students on track to complete the undergraduate program in Philosophy and Religion will be able to produce critical analyses and evaluations of religious texts, demonstrating sensitivity to the conceptual nuances and counter-arguments introduced in readings and discussions.
  • Program Options

    Philosophy and Religion Minor

    Students interested in learning more about philosophy and religion are encouraged to add it to their degree program as a minor.