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Majors
The
student may choose from two majors: (1) Philosophy; and (2) Theology and
Philosophy.
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Why
Study Philosophy?
The short answer is that it can give you a much deeper
understanding of things and sharpen your problem-solving skills. All learning in Western
history began as philosophy. That's why a doctor's degree, even
in one of the sciences like chemistry, is still called a Ph.D.
(doctorate of philosophy). Philosophy is a basic, foundational
discipline, even if its vocabulary is specialized. As such,
it deals with large questions like (1) What can we know? (2)
What should we do? (3) What may we hope? (4) What is human
nature? It is the mother of all academic disciplines,
fundamental to intellectual and cultural literacy. |
Philosophy
faculty: Dr. Richard VonDohlen
and
Dr. Phil
Blosser. |
Jobs
for philosophy majors:
Philosophy
also sharpens our skills in critical thinking
and analysis so we can see through false arguments and discern
underlying assumptions in arguments and theories. In
fact, students headed to law school who
pass a course
in logic score on average 14 percentile points higher on their
LSAT (Law School Admission Test) than those who haven't. Students going to seminary
find themselves much better prepared if they have a background
in philosophy, since contemporary theology often builds
on philosophical foundations. Because
philosophy is so versatile, the Philosophy major provides a
solid foundation for further study in a wide variety of
fields, including not only the academic professions of philosophy,
theology, and religious studies, but also
professions in the social sciences, psychology, law, and related fields.
Most important, it offers a thorough grounding in
clear analytical thinking and problem solving--a skill absolutely essential in any
field from corporate business to pastoral
ministry.
Its
practical usefulness (why philosophy majors do better):
A
broad philosophy major prepares a student much more
effectively for work in any profession than a narrow
professional or vocational major. Jonathan Wolff, head
of the philosophy department at University College London,
says that philosophy is more useful for the economy than
vocational courses.
"People
who do vocational courses often find that by the time they
reach the workplace the things that they have been taught
are out of date. It is often argued that it is more
important to teach people how to research, evaluate and
understand an argument. That is what philosophy has
always done." [1]
Studies
have shown, according to Wolff, that "the people who do
best in graduate business courses are those who studied
mathematics, followed by those who read philosophy. They
do far better than those who did business studies
courses." [Ibid.]
Dr.
Janet Radcliffe Richards, the director of the Centre for
Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine at University College,
London, a participant in a debate entitled Does Philosophy
Matter? at the British Academy on February 18, 2003, says:
"Essentially
the reason why philosophy is important is that there are few
questions of interest that do not have philosophical
elements and need philosophical techniques to deal with
them. At a basic level, philosophy is about avoiding
contradictions and confusions, something that is obviously
useful to everyone." [Ibid.]
The
Theology
and Philosophy Major
The
major in Theology and Philosophy provides a broad background in
historical and systematic reflection on the meaning of life,
as well as a deepened understanding of classical and current
religious and philosophical issues. The major
is especially recommended for theological students seeking an adequate
foundation for further study in Religion and Theology. It is also appropriate
for anyone interested in a general liberal arts degree with concentration
in these areas.
Minors
The student minoring in Philosophy is required to take two (2) courses
from 210, 211, 212, 304, or 306 and any four (4) electives in Philosophy,
only one (1) of which may be cross-listed from another area.
Honors
Students judged qualified by the Philosophy faculty may upon invitation
elect to pursue honors work in Philosophy. To graduate "With Honors
in Philosophy" a student is expected to have an overall GPA of
3.00 or better and a GPA of 3.00 or better in the major. He/she must
have completed at least nine (9) hours of honors courses, including
Honors 490 and 493. In addition, the student must pass a comprehensive
exam in the major and be nominated by the Philosophy faculty. A student
who majors in Theology and Philosophy may, on invitation from the faculty
in Religion and Philosophy, elect to pursue honors work in the major.
To graduate "With Honors In Theology and Philosophy" a student
must have a final GPA of 3.00 or better overall and in the major. The
student must have completed at least nine (9) hours of honors courses
in Religion and Philosophy, including Religion 490 or Philosophy 490.
In addition he/she must be nominated by the faculty of the Religion
and Philosophy Program. Honors courses in Religion and Philosophy may
be selected with approval from honors offerings in these two (2) areas.
Special
Features
Relationship between majors. While he or she may be required to take
a common core of courses, the student who majors in two (2) areas offered
by the program may count only six (6) hours of credit from courses used
to fulfill the requirements of the first major to fulfill the total
credit-hour requirements of the second major. A similar limitation applies
to the student who elects both a major and minor offered by the Program,
except that in such instances only three (3) hours of duplicate course
credit may be applied.
Notes:
1.
Quoted by Jeremy Hazelhurst in "What's the Point of It?
Are Philosophy Studies Education for Education's Sake, or do
they have a Practical Use?" The Times (Feb. 13,
2003), T2, p. 18.
Religion
& Philosophy Program
P.O. Box 7285
Hickory, N.C. 28603
Faculty
| Dr.
Phil Blosser |
Email |
(Professor)
Ex-Officio
Newman Club member & advisor
|
(828)
328-7186 |
| Dr.
Richard Von Dohlen |
Email |
(Professor) |
(828)
328-7187 |
|
