Philosophy & Religion (PHL) (REL) 

For information, please contact 
Guy Newland,  Chairperson, 774-3444,102 Anspach Hall

Department Website

Philosophy and Religion
Why Study Philosophy?
Why Study Religion?
Philosophy at CMU
Religion at CMU
Philosophy Major
Philosophy Minor
Religion Major
Religion Minor
The Faculty
PHL Course Descriptions
REL Course Descriptions

Philosophy & Religion 
Philosophy and Religion are complementary disciplines which study human thought and culture from distinct points of view. Both disciplines study ethical and cultural issues and form part of the core of a liberal education. Each not only provides training for graduate study in its respective disciplines, but provides an excellent basis for further professional training in fields which require critical and interpretive skills.

Why Study Philosophy? 
Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about the nature of reality, knowledge, and value. These are questions that everyone asks: What am I? Do I have free will? How can we distinguish good from bad or right from wrong? Can we be sure that any of our beliefs are true? Philosophers examine answers to these questions systematically and critically. Philosophy is also very effective in developing the student's ability to reason clearly, to distinguish good from bad arguments, to navigate through a complicated maze of questions, and to use intelligence and logic in situations often ruled by emotions. Students who have taken a large number of philosophy courses demonstrably excel in entrance exams to graduate and professional schools. The thinking skills you will develop in your philosophy classes will give you the kind of analytic ability sought by employers in many professions.

Why Study Religion? 
The academic study of religion is a comparative exploration of the beliefs, sacred stories, rituals, and community structures of the world's religions. It helps students analyze the relationships between religion and social issues. Students of religion investigate the influence of religion in their own and other cultures, gain understanding of how people around the world confront ultimate problems (such as death and evil), and analyze the relationships between religion and contemporary social issues. Students also gain research skills, writing skills, and critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their lives in a wide variety of careers or in graduate school. A survey of CMU alumni with majors and minors in Religion revealed that 75% had pursued graduate education, and that half of these had earned one or more graduate degrees.

Philosophy at CMU 
The Philosophy area offers a variety of courses that both make students aware of fundamental philosophical issues such as those about moral and other values, but at the same time strengthen their critical powers and enable them to evaluate better their own beliefs as well as those of other people. Some course work in this area can benefit students no matter what their field of study. 

A major in philosophy is recommended, not only for graduate work in this area, but also as an excellent preparation for law school. A minor in philosophy is recommended to complement many other majors. A number of philosophy courses are related to specific disciplines including: Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Art, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Literature, Business Ethics, and Ethics in Health Professions. Courses in the history of philosophy provide a valuable supplement to courses in the History Department.

Religion at CMU 
CMU's Religion courses are recommended for those seeking deeper insight into the culture of the United States and a wider familiarity with cultures around the world. The Religion area offers courses in Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; in the religious traditions of China, Japan, India, and the U.S.; and in biblical studies, ethics, and the relationship between religion and contemporary society. Most Religion courses fulfill a UP requirement. 

A major in religion is recommended for any student seeking an area of concentration within the liberal arts, including those wishing to pursue graduate study in religion, theology, or a related field. A minor (or second major) in religion helps prepare students for careers in journalism, broadcasting, psychology, and other areas.
(Top of page)

Philosophy Major 
B.A., B.S. degrees

Required Courses (21 hours) 
PHL 100 (3) Introduction to Philosophy 
PHL 140 (3) Introduction to Logic 
PHL 218 (3) Ethical Theory 
PHL 320 (3) Theory of Knowledge 
PHL 490 (3) Senior Seminar

Plus 6 additional credit hours in the history of philosophy

Electives (9 hours): selected in consultation with a departmental advisor. Philosophy majors planning to go to graduate school in philosophy are encouraged to take PHL 302 and PHL 340 as two of their electives.

NOTE: Philosophy courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may not be applied toward a philosophy major.

TOTAL: 30 semester hours
(Top of page)

Philosophy Minor 
B.A., B.A.A., B.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A. degrees

A minor in philosophy consists of 20 credit hours in philosophy. The program will be designed to fit the individual needs or interests of the student. Students are encouraged to consult a departmental advisor. 

Philosophy courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may be applied toward a philosophy minor.
(Top of page)

Religion Major 
B.A., B.S. degrees

The major in religion consists of at least 30 hours and includes the following: 
1. One course (3 hours) in the study of religion and contemporary society to be chosen from: 
REL 140 (3) Religion, Race and Discrimination in America 
REL 207 (3) Women in Religion 
REL 235 (3) Religion and Social Issues 
REL 334 (3) Death and Dying: Religious Dimensions 
2. Two courses (6 hours) that concentrate on the study of religions other than Christianity in historical and cultural frameworks. Choose one course from each of these two groups: 
a) Area studies 
REL 220 (3) Religious Traditions of China 
REL 221 (3) Religious Traditions of Japan 
REL 222 (3) Religious Traditions of India 
b) Traditions 
REL 314 (3) Islam 
REL 315 (3) Judaism 
REL 320 (3) The Buddhist Tradition 
3. One course (3 hours) on the Bible or Christianity, to be chosen from: REL 250 (3) The Old Testament and Its Age 
REL 260 (3) The New Testament and Its Age 
REL 313 (3) Christianity 
4. REL 501 (3) Seminar in the Study of Religion 
5. REL 505 (1-3) Independent Study 
All majors will undertake a substantial research and writing project working under the direction of an appropriate faculty member. The project may either be attached to an existing course, in which case it will usually be for one credit, or it may be an independent directed study, in which case it will be arranged for two or three credits. Decisions regarding these options must be approved by the instructor. 
6. Electives chosen in consultation with an advisor. Up to 9 of these elective hours may be counted from these cognate courses: PHL 230, HST 237, HST 341, ENG 365, ANT 459. Students may petition to have other courses counted, as long as the 9-hour limit is not exceeded. (Religion courses taken on a credit/no credit basis at the 100 and 200 levels may be counted on the major up to a maximum of three hours) 

Total: 30 semester hours
(Top of page)

Religion Minor 
B.A., B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A. degrees

The minor in religion consists of at least 20 hours arranged in consultation with an advisor. Courses selected must take account of the range of (a) content and (b) method involved in the study of religion and must include: 1. REL 501 (3) Seminar in the Study of Religion 

2. At least two additional courses (not including REL 501) numbered 300 or higher. 

Up to 6 of the 20 hours necessary for the minor in religion may be counted from these cognate courses: PHL 230, HST 237, HST 341, ENG 365, ANT 459. Students may petition to have other courses counted, as long as the 6-hour limit is not exceeded. (Religion courses taken on a credit/no credit basis at the 100 and 200 levels may be counted on the minor up to a maximum of three hours)
(Top of page)

The faculty: Gary Fuller, Roger D. Hatch, J. E. Henricks, Robert W. Hough, Nolan Kaiser, William Kline, Jordan Lindberg, Hope May, Sean McAleer, Sean McCloud, James H. McGrath, John B. Meixner, Merlyn E. Mowrey, Robert Noggle, Guy M. Newland, William W. Reader, Mark Shelton, David L. Smith, Gregory Spinner, Robert Stecker, John Wright, Desheng Zong.
(Top of page)

Disclaimer