Philosophy and Religious Studies are two different ways of approaching the most fundamental questions about human existence: How do we relate to the world around us? What can we be sure of? Is there some basic truth that holds all other truths together?
Philosophy has traditionally sought answers to these and other questions through the proper use of rational thought, the application of human intellect to the mysteries of the world around us. Religions have looked for the answers in human connection with the divine, the power that creates and directs the human world and interacts with human beings in community. The field of Religious Studies is concerned with all forms and manifestations of religious faith in world culture, past and present. Both Philosophy and Religious Studies give students the opportunity to examine some of the most fundamental issues in a liberal education, and so provide a basis for life-long learning.
There is no area of human thought or action that falls outside the concern of religious thinkers. All religious traditions teach about ultimate values and their relationship to our worldly lives. Some of the traditions are the oldest extant bodies of thought. The religions of the world are an ancient and living source for values.
The courses in Religious Studies are divided into three groups. The function of these courses is the study of the sources, history, nature, and relevance of religion.
The Major
Religious Studies majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in Religious Studies at graduation. All department courses taken at Al-legheny on a letter-grade basis are included in that calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. No more than two Religious Studies courses may be taken Credit/No Credit; one of these must be RS 600, which is only offered Credit/No Credit.
The major in Religious Studies leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree and requires the successful completion of 38 semester credit hours in Religious Studies. A major program should include at least one course from each of the following groups:
The Minor
A minor in Religious Studies consists of at least 20 semester credit hours of courses in Religious Studies.
Philosophy has traditionally been the very center of the liberal arts. As most of the other disciplines that form the modern liberal arts curriculum have developed from philosophy to establish their own identities, philosophy continues to deal with problems that are fundamental to all disciplines. Philosophers inquire into structures that form the basis of all that exists, the ways we can justify our claims to knowledge, and the values and goals that guide individuals and society.
Allegheny's Philosophy program pays particular attention to the question of the values and goals that ought to guide individuals and society by exploring lived experience and analyzing the social world. More speci?cally, courses examine the relationship between society and science through a study of the values that have challenged and have fostered scienti?c activities and technological developments. Courses also examine ethics as a personal ideal as well as democracy and economic development as global and multicultural ideals.
The Major
The major in Philosophy leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. It requires completion of at least 42 semester credit hours, with distribution as outlined below.
Philosophy majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in the major at graduation. All department courses taken at Allegheny on a letter-grade basis are included in that calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. No more than two Philosophy courses may be taken Credit/No Credit to count toward the major; one of these must be Philosophy 600, which is only offered Credit/No Credit.
The Minor
Minors must take:
Philosophy minors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in the major at graduation. All department courses taken at Allegheny on a letter-grade basis are included in that calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. No more than one Philosophy course that is taken Credit/No Credit will count toward the minor.
