Philosophy and Theology (Joint Major)
Director:
Anthony Pagliarini, Theology
Faculty:
Additional faculty for the joint major are drawn from the departments of philosophy and theology.
Program of Studies
The joint major is intended for undergraduates who are intrigued by philosophical and theological ideas and who have an equal commitment to both disciplines. It seeks to equip such students to handle theology and philosophy adeptly. The major is structured, providing undergraduates with a suitable introduction to the study of both disciplines, but also flexible, granting students considerable scope for the pursuit of their own interests.
The joint major offers the opportunity for an informed investigation of religious and philosophical ideas and should appeal especially to those who intend to pursue graduate work in philosophy or theology.
The joint major incorporates the University requirements in the two departments and most of the formal requirements of the first majors in theology and philosophy. Students in the joint major will take the two-semester sequence in Christian Traditions and an upper-level course in Scripture. The joint major, however, does not require the one-credit proseminar in theology.
Other formal requirements are peculiar to the joint major. Students will study a classical language for two semesters. (For practical as well as pedagogical reasons, this will normally be Greek.) Majors will also be expected to take one joint seminar. Led by a theologian and a philosopher, the joint seminars are offered every spring and will examine an issue in which the differing approaches of philosophy and theology may prove fruitful. The topic and instructors will change from year to year. Finally, each major will submit a senior thesis prepared under the direction of two advisors, drawn from each department. At the option of the directors, this thesis may be presented and discussed in an informal colloquium consisting of the other students in the joint major.
The remaining courses in the joint major will be at the discretion of the student. Normally taken at the 40xxx level, there should be an equal distribution in the electives between theology and philosophy. However, students who wish may devote up to six hours within the joint major to additional language work. These hours may add to the classical language previously studied, or used to begin another language of significance for philosophical and theological work.
The joint major differs from a first major in one discipline and a supplementary major in the other in that the latter requires 55 credit hours, whereas the joint major requires 60. Furthermore, the joint major calls for language instruction beyond what the University requires for all undergraduates. Finally, the joint seminars should prove especially challenging, inviting students to explore important topics in an interdisciplinary way. These features should make the joint major particularly attractive to students preparing for advanced study.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 6 | |
Two-course University Philosophy Requirements | ||
First University Philosophy Requirement and 2xxxx-level elective or higher 2 | ||
| PHIL 30301 | Ancient and Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 30302 | History of Modern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 30313 | Formal Logic | 3 |
| Theology Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Foundations of Theology: Biblical/Historical | ||
| Foundations of Theology: Biblical/Historical | ||
| Theology University Seminar | ||
| 20000 Developmental Theology course 1 | 3 | |
| THEO 40201 & THEO 40202 | The Christian Theological Tradition I and The Christian Theological Tradition II | 6 |
| THEO 40101 | Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| or THEO 40108 | New Testament Introduction | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Classical language (normally Greek) — two semesters | 6-8 | |
| Joint seminar(s) | 3 | |
| Senior thesis | 3 | |
| Electives 3 | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 60-62 | |
- 1
University Core Requirements. Classes appear in the Core block.
- 2
For students who took the course Catholicism Across the Disciplines in place of the second University Requirement
- 3
Up to six of these may be additional hours in language study.