Philosophy and Religious Studies

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Why study Philosophy and Religious Studies at Westminster College?

Examining fundamental questions about existence and our place in it is the cornerstone of philosophy and religion. The Philosophy and Religious Studies major at Westminster College provides a flexible and interdisciplinary framework in which you can pursue questions about free will and responsibility; the scope and nature of knowledge; contrasting perspectives on environmental ethics; social justice and our obligation to promote a more fair and better world; competing notions about God and religion and how they have and should influence society; the role of Christianity and other world-religions in understanding controversial topics that continue to shape our lives. 

Students who pursue the Philosophy and Religious Studies major at Westminster can take courses that span philosophy and religious studies and related fields. Students may additionally choose between two optional concentrations of study: (1) Ethics and Social Justice or (2) Religious Literacy. Courses taken toward the major can also count toward these optional concentrations.  

The major serves as a preparation for graduate study in philosophy, religious studies, and related fields, but also complements work in other disciplines such as political science, pre-law, history, English, business, environmental science, and pre-healthcare. Additionally, the major is designed to help students to flourish in a complex and diverse world that demands critical reasoning and reflection on values and spirituality.

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“Not enough can be said about the value of being a Religious Studies major - this is one of the cornerstones of a liberal arts education. It is a very fulfilling field in that you study what you are passionate about and at the same time, express what every human experiences in his or her life.”

David Graves '09

“My philosophy major made me into a more reflective person, a more critical thinker, and more invested in the issues of right and wrong that surround us. The major exposed me to the basics of many important philosophical theories, while giving me the chance to explore my own interests and love of the field.”

Chris Givan '13

Philosophy Minor

Philosophy is a great minor to pare with any major especially when you are planning to go on to graduate school. Taking philosophy classes will help aid you in critical thinking that will help you in Standardized Testing for further education and help you be more marketable for graduate school and future occupations.

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Religious Studies Minor

Religion is a pervasive and powerful phenomenon, expressing that which people ultimately value. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is ever more critical for educated persons to study religion in its many expressions. Courses in religious studies provide students with an opportunity to understand their own religious heritage and to know and appreciate other religious traditions. Religion is studied as a living part of its larger cultural setting, not merely as an isolated phenomenon. The approach to the subject matter is descriptive and historical.

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Yes. The courses which apply to the major also fulfill the concentration requirements.

Philosophy and religious studies share a focus on questions about fundamental questions regarding our existence. As a combined major, students can pursue their own course interests to complete the major in question, while at the same time, having the flexibility to pursue cross-disciplinary courses that broaden the scope of their major’s perspective.

The major prepares students who wish to pursue graduate work in philosophy, religious studies, and related fields, but also those who wish to pursue work in diverse areas such as law, medicine, public policy, counselling, and community development. Indeed, the rigorous training in critical thinking through our major makes the major an excellent preparation for law and related fields demanding analytical reasoning. Additionally, the Philosophy and Religious Studies major often serves as a double-major to help supplement those studying other fields in diverse areas such as political science, psychology, pre-healthcare, business, and education.

Though this is not required by the major itself, a number of the courses in the major require this component which helps to apply theory to real-world experiences.