Catalogue: Traditional Program:
Philosophy
Philosophy (PHI)
The philosophy department seeks to prepare men and women to serve Christ in the world of ideas. To accomplish this goal we offer a major that promotes critical thinking while studying the history of ideas. The philosophy major is designed to prepare students for jobs that require critical thinking, graduate work, and seminary. We deal with perennial questions endeavoring to answer them and to see how the answers fit into the Christian worldview. By promoting critical thinking, our classes prepare students to live, adapt, and make decisions in our fast-changing world. Philosophy students will have real-world experience through PHI 441, Topics. In this required course students will be required to write a research paper that involves an off-campus experience. The student will interview one or more who work(s) in this field and incorporate this into the paper.
Philosophy Major: 30 hours to include (1) PHI 201 or 225, 321, 322, and 441; (2) PHI 210 or 431; (3) nine hours from PHI 227, 275, 337, 338, 443, or either 210 or 431 (whichever is not used to meet the requirement of #2); (4) three hours from the following PSC 218, 313, 314, 316, 319, or 331; and (5) three additional hours from the listed PSC courses or from PHI courses.
Philosophy Minor: 18 hours
Honors Program: The philosophy department offers opportunities for students to enroll in honors courses from its department. Any departmental course may be taken as an honors course. For students majoring in this department, one must pass a minimum of nine hours of honors courses within the discipline and a minimum of nine hours from the honors courses of other departments. Each course must be passed with a B or better. No more than 18 hours are required for the honors degree. For other honors program policies, see "Honors Program" found in the "Administration of the Curriculum" section of this catalogue.
| 201 | Introduction to Philosophy (3). A critical examination and survey of perennial questions such as (1) "Does God exist?" (2) "Is morality objective?" (3) "Do human beings have a soul?" (4) "Are human beings free?" (5) "What are the limits of knowledge?" (Spring, even years) |
| 210 | Comparative Religious Philosophies (3). Credit given in either philosophy or biblical studies. A study of the worldviews and practices of religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. These are compared to and contrasted with the Christian faith. (Fall, odd years) |
| 225 | Logic (3). A study of the principles of correct reasoning, contrasting them with fallacious reasoning. Homework assignments enable the student to recognize arguments and to determine whether they are logical or not. (Fall, even years) |
| 227 | Ethics (3). A critical philosophical examination of contemporary moral issues such as abortion, euthanasia, prejudice and equality, war, capital punishment, and issues in business and medical ethics. (Spring, odd years) |
| 275 | Aesthetics (3). A study of questions such as (1) “What is art?” (2) “What are the criteria for determining good from bad art?” (3) “What is the relationship of art to morality and truth?” (4) “Is beauty objective or in the eye of the beholder?” Consideration is given as to how this fits into a Christian world and life view. (Fall only) |
| 321, 322 | History of Ancient and Modern Philosophy (3, 3). 321: A study of major philosophical thinkers from the pre-Socratics to the end of the Middle Ages. Special attention will be given to Plato’s and Aristotle’s thoughts and their influence on Christian thought. 322: A study of major philosophical thinkers from Bacon to the present. Special attention is given to comparing and contrasting Modernity and Post-modernity with Christian thought. (Fall, odd years; spring, even years) |
| 337 | Epistemology (3). A study of knowledge. We consider questions such as (1) “What is knowledge?” (2) “How is it attained?” (3) “What are its limits?” (4) “Are we able to have knowledge of God?” Special attention is given to the attempts of contemporary Christian thinkers to show the rationality of the Christian faith. (Fall, even years) |
| 338 | Philosophy of Science (3). A study of the method, limits, and history of science. Special attention is given to the recent thought in the philosophy of science and its implication for the Christian faith. What we learn is used to evaluate the contemporary debate on the Christian faith and science. (Spring, odd years) |
| 431 | Contemporary Theology (3). A study of Christ and modern culture. Students will investigate how many modern thinkers have tried to integrate Christ and modern Western culture. (Spring, even years) |
| 441 | Topics (1-3). The three-hour course is required for majors in philosophy. It includes an integrative paper and comprehensive exam that demonstrate the student’s ability to use material from other philosophy courses. Required senior year. |
| 443 | Individual Philosophers (1-3). Prereq: Nine hours of philosophy or the consent of the instructor. Content varies to meet class needs. Specific content is entered on transcript. May be repeated for credit. By Request |
