Why study philosophy and religion? These ancient and yet constantly changing fields of inquiry are concerned with the deepest questins that humans ask.  To become fully acquainted with the human, and to discover one's own identity, is ultimately to grapple with philosophical and perhaps religious ideas.

At Curry College, the study of philosophy and religion has several distinctive characteristics.  First, members of our faculty tend to integrate philosophical and religious interests in their teaching and research.  Although philosophical methods and sources are not the same as those of religion, it is often helpful to set them side-by-side to understand their place in human life.

Second, we emphasize the importance of action, not just abstract thinking.  Many courses are concerned explicitly with ethics in a number of different contexts, but every course helps the student with the fundamental question: “what should I do?”

Third, members of our department share a common commitment to an American tradition of philosophy that emphasizes relation, process, and creativity.  Although courses cover many different periods and schools of thought-from ancient to contemporary, both Eastern and Western-this American tradition is a special focus of our research.

Requirements for Philosophy Major:

Twenty seven credits in philosophy, usually including Beginnings of Philosophy, Modern Philosophy and Contemporary Philosophy. Courses taken to fulfill the Central Liberal Arts Curriculum are excluded from courses taken for the major. Courses in philosophy, religion, or related areas and, as a capstone course, PHIL 3980, the contents to be selected by student and instructor to include student’s reflections on (1) the totality of the student’s study of philosophy, (2) how the major comes together as a whole, (3) how it is integrated into the student’s entire academic program, and (4) how it relates to the student’s life.