University Catalog 2005-2006

University Catalog > CAS > Philosophy and Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

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Phone: 703-993-1290
Web: gmu.edu/departments/philosophy

Faculty

Course Work

This department offers all course work designated LS, PHIL, and RELI in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Philosophy, BA

The degree program in philosophy covers the major issues and areas in philosophy, and 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, or to emphasize philosophy while acquiring a broad liberal arts education. Students can use this major as preparation for professions such as law or government service, or complement other interests by taking a double major in philosophy and a related field of study.

In addition to the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for a BA degree in CAS, philosophy majors must complete at least 33 credits in philosophy earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. At least 21 credits must be at the 300 level or above, including at least 6 credits at the 400 level or above. The credits must be distributed among area requirements as indicated below. No course may be used to fulfill more than one such requirement.

History of philosophy (at least 12 credits)

Theories of value (at least 3 credits):

Reality, knowledge, and science (at least 3 credits)

The following philosophy courses fulfill the general education syntheses requirement: PHIL 309, 377 and 378.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Philosophy majors should consult the undergraduate coordinator for the courses that can be taken to fulfill this requirement.

Minor in Philosophy

The minor is organized according to specific emphases, each one stressing a different aspect of philosophy. The emphasis in the history of philosophy is particularly useful to students in the humanities, especially those who wish to pursue graduate study. Students majoring in the human and natural sciences would benefit from the emphasis in reality, knowledge, and science; while those who hope to pursue a career in law or politics would be well-advised to complete the emphasis in social and political philosophy.

Students must complete 18 credits in philosophy with a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. No course may be use to fulfill more than one requirement. The credits must be distributed as follows:

Emphasis in history of philosophy

This emphasis requires at least 3 additional credits in the history of philosophy, plus 6 credits of electives. At least 3 credits in history of philosophy should be taken from PHIL 302, 325, 332, 335, 336, or 337.

Emphasis in reality, knowledge, and science

This emphasis requires at least 6 credits from courses in reality, knowledge, and science; plus 3 credits of electives (see list of courses under the major).

Emphasis in social and political philosophy

This emphasis requires at least 9 credits chosen from PHIL 311, 312, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 338, or 470.

When the subject matter is appropriate, and at the discretion of the undergraduate coordinator, PHIL 391, 392, 421, 425, or 426 may be used to fulfill the emphasis requirements.

Religious Studies, BA

The major in religious studies is intended to bring the student to an understanding of the major traditions of world religions. Areas of study include Asian religious traditions, Near (middle) Eastern religious traditions including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and comparative aspects of religion. Students develop skills in reading and interpreting sacred texts. They explore the cultural and social dimensions of religion, along with a consideration of religious values and ethics, from comparative and crosscultural perspectives with relation to global issues.

The courses are writing intensive and allow the student to study and analyze religious ideas and symbols, and encourage students to present well-argued papers.

In addition to the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for a BA in CAS, religious studies majors must complete at least 33 credits in religious studies earning a minimum grade of C- (1.67) in each. No course may be used to fulfill more than one requirement. The credits must be distributed as follows:

6 credits of introduction to the main world religions

3 credits in a writing-intensive seminar taken during the senior year (RELI 420 Seminar).

6 credits in courses emphasizing either comparative or methodological aspects of the study of religion, such as:

When the subject matter is appropriate, at the discretion of the student's advisor, RELI 376 may be used to fulfill the comparative or methodological requirement.

Up to 6 credits of a scriptural language (e.g., Arabic, Biblical Hebrew, Chinese, Classical Greek, Latin, Sanskrit) may be used to fulfill requirements 4 or 5.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Religious studies majors may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing one of the courses under the second requirement above.

Minor in Religious Studies

The minor in religious studies introduces students to the world's religious traditions. Within the minor, students may pursue religious traditions of Asia or the Near (middle) East or comparative aspects of religion. The minor consists of 18 credits, at least 9 of which must be in 300- and 400-level courses. 3 credits must be taken from RELI 100 The Human Religious Experience, RELI 211 Religions of the Near (Middle) East, or RELI 212 Religions of the Orient. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- (1.67) in each course and have a minimum GPA of 2.000 in courses applied to the minor.

Graduate Program

The department offers a comprehensive master's degree in traditional and contemporary philosophy. The degree is designed for students who intend to go on to a doctorate in philosophy, as well as those who seek the master's as a terminal degree to further their professional expertise. Students may pursue interests in the history of philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, contemporary continental thought, contemporary analytic philosophy, and philosophy of science. The department offers a concentration in professional ethics for those master's students interested in combining the study of ethics in a variety of career settings; a graduate certificate in professional ethics is also offered.

Philosophy, MA

Admission Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the university admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. GRE exams are recommended, especially for those students planning to pursue a PhD in philosophy.

Degree Requirements

Students must successfully complete 30 credits distributed as follows. As part of their course work, students may elect to do a thesis or project. Students must find an advisor on entering the program, and meet regularly with that advisor during their course of study. With the agreement of their advisor, students establish a contract defining their program of study. With an advisor's approval, students may apply up to 9 credits from other departments toward the degree.

Students who wish to receive the concentration in professional ethics must complete the following:

Certificate in Professional Ethics

Admission Requirements

Students must be admitted to graduate study or approved for graduate course enrollment through extended studies. Students who initially enroll in the certificate program through extended studies must apply for admission to the graduate program no later than the second semester of study. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any other graduate program in the university.

Certificate Requirements

Students must successfully complete 15 graduate credits distributed as follows. In consultation with an adviser, students should select their courses to create a coherent program of study.