PHILOSOPY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT EUREKA

The department of Philosophy and Religion offers both a major and a minor. Students may choose to obtain a concentration, within the major, in either Philosophy or Religion. A concentration in philosophy provides students with a broad understanding of the history and dynamics of Western thought, a detailed knowledge of moral and theoretical issues in this tradition, and training in critical and analytical thinking skills. A concentration in Religion provides students with an introduction to the world's major religions, a knowledge of the common elements and themes in religion, and a familiarity with the various approaches and methods used to study religion.

The Philosophy and Religion major offers an education in the broad liberal arts tradition. In different ways, each concentration introduces students to the most profound and universal questions humans have asked and to their most thoughtful and enduring answers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

32 hours including the following:

A student may concentrate in either Philosophy or Religion by completing a minimum of 20 semester hours in the chosen area.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

20 hours including the following:

PHILOSOPHY COURSES

These courses aim to arouse the student's interest in such problems as values, the analysis of presuppositions, and the history of ideas and the persons and movements who have influenced them. The method used is both problem centered and historical and emphasizes the principles of internal consistency and adequacy to the facts.

110 Introduction to Philosophy -- 3 hours
Introduction to epistemology, metaphysics, the nature of the self and human values.

140 Logic -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Introduction to elementary deductive logic (including syllogisms, propositional logic, and quantification) and inductive reasoning.

220W Moral Philosophy -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Study of important moral theories selected from the entire history of philosophical debate about ethical questions.

250W Ancient Philosophy -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Selected survey of philosophers from the Pre-Socratics up to the Medieval Period. Among those who could be included are Heraclitus, Parmenides, Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero.

260W Modern Philosophy -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Selected survey of philosophers from the Renaissance through the 18th century. Among those who could be included are Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Berkeley, Hume, Locke, and Kant.

270W Contemporary Philosophy -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Selected survey of 19th and 20th century philosophers. Among those who could be included are Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidigegger, Sartre, and Wittgenstein.

320W Political and Social Philosophy -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy at 200 level or permission of the instructor.
Study of the nature of man centering on his political, social and/or moral existence. (Cross-listed as PSC 320W)

330W Metaphysics -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy at 200 level or permission of the instructor.
Questions and speculations about the nature of things; possible topics might include arguments for the existence of God, the nature of the human soul, or what substance is.

340W Theory of Knowledge -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy at 200 level or permission of the instructor.
Consideration of the issues and problems associated with the question: What is the nature and scope of human knowledge?

350W Philosophic Figures -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours of Philosophy at 200 level or permission of the instructor.
Study of a single important author through a careful examination of one or several major works.

RELIGION COURSES

The Religion courses provide students with the opportunity for greater awareness and understanding of religious experience, tradition, and literature with emphasis on the traditions of Judaism and Christianity. The courses also challenge students to consider the relationship of religion to the human-historical situation.

129 Western Religious Traditions -- 3 hours
Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam through a study of their central narratives, history, and beliefs.

131 Asian Religions -- 3 hours
Introduction to Asian schools of thought, most notably Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

217W Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures -- 3 hours
Introductory survey of the history and ideas of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings (commonly referred to by Christians as the Old Testament).

219W Introduction to the New Testament -- 3 hours
Introductory survey of the history and ideas of the sacred writings of the Christian community commonly referred to as the New Testament.

321W Seminar: Classical Christian Thought -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours in Religion or permission of the instructor.
Intensive study and discussion of the writings and ideas of significant figures in the development of "classical" Christian thought. Representative figures include Origen, Tertullian, Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas.

331W Seminar: Reformation Theology -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours in Religion or permission of the instructor.
Intensive study and discussion of the writings and ideas of the major figures of the Protestant Reformation. Primary focus will be upon Luther and Calvin.

341W History of Religion in America -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Examination of the major developments in religion in North America from the 16th century to the present.

351W Seminar: Contemporary Religious Thinkers -- 3 hours
(Offered in alternate years.)
Prerequisite: 3 hours in Religion or permission of the instructor.
Study of the writings and ideas of selected theologians of the 20th century. Among those who might be studied are Karl Barth, John Cobb, James Cone, Mary Daly, Langdon Gilkey, Schubert Ogden, Rosemary Reuther, and Paul Tillich. The topic(s) for each seminar will be announced.

495 Practicum in the Christian Ministry -- 1-4 hours
Supervised field experience in a church related institution for the pre-ministerial student. REL 495 may not be counted in fulfilling requirements for a major in Philosophy and Religion.