Philosophy and Religious Studies
Faculty
Professor: Bergoffen
Associate professors: Burns, De Nys, Fletcher, Froman, Holman, Kaufmann (chair), Nguyen, Paden, Ro, Rothbart, S.M. Skousgaard, Yance (associate professor emeritus)
Assistant professors: Cherubin, Kinnaman, Shiner
Adjuncts: Caudill, D. Gregory, M. Gregory, Oberoi, San Juan, S.A. Skousgaard, Sojka, Steenhuisen
Course Work
This department offers all course work designated
PHIL, LS, and RELI in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of
this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
Philosophy, B.A.
The degree program in philosophy serves the needs of students with various interests and career goals. Major emphases are available for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in philosophy; emphasize philosophy in acquiring a broad liberal arts education; prepare for certain professions, such as law, the ministry, or government service; or complement other interests by taking a double major in philosophy and a related field of study.
The department offers a traditional philosophy major and a specially designed religious studies concentration within the philosophy major. Both programs lead to a B.A. in Philosophy.
Traditional Philosophy Major
In addition to the general requirements for the bachelor of arts, philosophy majors must complete at least 33 credits in philosophy (with grades of C or better). At least 21 credits must be courses at the 300 level or above, including 6 credits at the 400 level or above. These credits must be distributed as follows:
- All majors must take the following:
PHIL 173 Introduction to Logic
or PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic
PHIL 301 History of Western Philosophy: Ancient
PHIL 303 History of Western Philosophy: Modern
- All majors take a minimum of three credits each from Category A and Category B:
Category A: The Analytic Tradition
PHIL 332 20th-Century Analytic Philosophy
PHIL 355 Contemporary Ethical Theory
PHIL 371 Philosophy of Natural Sciences
PHIL 373 Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 374 Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 520 Current Issues in Philosophy of Science
PHIL 573 Current Issues in Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 574 Current Issues in Philosophy of Psychology
Category B: The Continental Tradition
PHIL 325 Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought
PHIL 335 19th-Century Philosophy
PHIL 336 Contemporary Continental Thought:
Existentialism
PHIL 337 20th-Century Continental Thought:
Phenomenology
PHIL 340 Hermeneutic Philosophy
PHIL 531 Freud and Philosophy
When the subject matter is appropriate, and at the discretion of the professor,PHIL 391, 392, 421, 425, or 426 may count as Category A or Category B courses.
- Majors may apply no more than three credits from the following toward the major. (No credits from this list are required for the major.)
Category C: Ethics
PHIL 305 Business Ethics
PHIL 309 Medicine and Human Values
PHIL 510 Seminar in Ethics of Health Care
PHIL 555 Environmental Ethics
For students who plan to pursue graduate studies in philosophy, the following courses are recommended:
A course in ethics or social and political philosophy
PHIL 332 20th-Century Analytic Philosophy
PHIL 335 19th-Century Philosophy
PHIL 336, 337 Contemporary Continental Thought (Existentialism and Phenomenology)
PHIL 357 Philosophy of the Social Sciences
PHIL 374 Philosophy of Mind
or PHIL 373 Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 375 Metaphysics
Concentration in Religious Studies
This concentration offers students the opportunity to reflect on reciprocal relations, past and present, between philosophy and religion, and to approach contemporary questions and issues in religion, both substantive and methodological, through philosophical ideas pertinent to them. Students who plan to pursue a program in philosophy and religious studies must complete at least 33 credits in philosophy and religious studies.
All students pursuing this concentration must take the following:
PHIL 173 Introduction to Logic
or PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic
PHIL 301 History of Western Philosophy: Ancient
PHIL 303 History of Western Philosophy: Modern
PHIL 313 Philosophy of Religion
RELI 420423 Seminar in Religious Studies
or RELI 490 Comparative Study of Religions
Students must also take a minimum of 12 credits from among the following courses (at least three credits must be in an Eastern tradition and at least three credits must be in a Western tradition):
RELI 313 Hindu Religion and Philosophy
RELI 314 Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions
RELI 315 The Buddhist Tradition
RELI 337 Mysticism: East and West
RELI 352 Judaism between the Old and New Testaments
RELI 370 Judaism: Life and Thought
RELI 371 History of Western Christian Thought I
RELI 372 History of Western Christian Thought II
RELI 374 Islamic Thought
RELI 376/377 Special Topics in Religious Thought
Students must take six additional credits in religious studies or philosophy.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Traditional philosophy majors may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing PHIL 421 or 425. Students in the religious studies concentration of the philosophy major may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing RELI 490.
Minor in Religious Studies
The minor in religious studies introduces students to the world's religious traditions. Within the minor, students may pursue biblical studies or Western or Eastern religious traditions. The minor consists of 18 credits, at least 9 of which must be taken at the upper level. Three credits must be taken from RELI 100 The Human Religious Experience, RELI 211 Religions of the Near East, or RELI 212 Religions of the Orient.
Minor in Philosophy
The minor in philosophy introduces students to the major traditions and issues that define philosophical thought. The minor also permits students the flexibility to pursue individual interests. A grade of C or better is required for the course to count toward the minor. The minor consists of 18 credits distributed as follows:
- PHIL 173 Introduction to Logic or PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic (three credits)
- Any course at the 100 level or above, excluding PHIL 105 Critical Reasoning (three credits)
- PHIL 301 History of Western Philosophy: Ancient (three credits)
- One course from the following (three credits):
PHIL 302 History of Philosophy: Medieval
PHIL 303 History of Philosophy: Modern
PHIL 335 19th-Century Philosophy
- Any course at the 300 level or above (three credits)
- Any course at the 400 level or above (three credits)
(No single course can be used to fulfill two or more requirements above.)
Graduate Program
Track in Liberal Studies, M.A.I.S.
The Philosophy and Religious Studies Department is the academic and administrative home of the liberal studies track of the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The liberal studies track is designed for students interested in a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach to human ideas and values. It provides an opportunity for students to broaden their liberal arts backgrounds. The program is for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in the humanities (e.g., cultural studies, philosophy, religious studies, women's studies) and for those who wish to explore social and political questions within their cultural contexts. It is recommended for teachers and business and professional people who understand that the study of the humanities provides valuable insights into the problems posed by contemporary society.
Admission Requirements
Students must show a capacity for original thought and sustained work in the humanities and liberal arts. Transcripts of all colleges attended, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.000, three letters of reference, and an essay detailing interest in the liberal studies track are required. One of the standardized examinations (GRE, LSAT, or MAT) is strongly recommended.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact Young-Chan Ro, liberal studies coordinator, (703) 993-1292.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete 30 credits and take a comprehensive essay/exam. In consultation with an advisor, students select 12 credits of core courses and 6 credits in philosophy and/or religious studies. They take an additional 12 credits in a liberal studies emphasis of their choice. Examples of possible emphases are listed below. Students may complete all 30 credits through course work or may combine course work with either a 3-credit or a 6-credit project.
- Ethics, Politics, and Public Policy
- Ethnicity, Culture, and Class
- Global Religious Traditions
- Philosophy, Interpretation, and Culture
- The Arts in a Cultural Context
- Women's Studies
George Mason University:2000-2001 University Catalog: Catalog Index: College of Arts and Sciences: Philosophy and Religious Studies |
