Philosophy

What can you do with a philosophy degree? This is usually what students want to know when considering a major. You might wonder what job you might be able to land with a degree in philosophy. You will also be surprised to learn that the vast majority of philosophy majors do not go on to become philosophy professors, but go on to lead their fields in many other areas. A baccalaureate degree in philosophy is an excellent preparation for law school, business school, or graduate study in any area of the humanities or fine or performing arts. Additionally, many people with philosophy degrees go on to start businesses, found non-profit organizations, and much more.

Religious Studies

What can you do with a religious studies degree? Jobs you might be able to land with are usually what students want to know when considering a major. You may be surprised to learn that the vast majority of religious studies majors do not become members of the clergy, but go on to lead their fields in many other areas. A baccalaureate degree in religious studies is an excellent preparation for law, business school, medicine, or graduate study in counseling, humanities, or administration. Additionally, many people with religious studies degrees find employment in social services, journalism, public relations (especially international relations), music, and health and welfare organizations, and many others start businesses, found non-profit organizations, and much more.

For those who wish to pursue more traditionally "religious" careers, a baccalaureate degree in religious studies provides the ideal preparation for youth ministries, campus ministry, adult ministries, theological and medical missionary outreach, religious education, religious activities programming, chaplaincy, and several other related fields.  Those desiring to enter the clergy will find that an undergraduate major in religious studies constitutes the best possible training for seminary.  Likewise, an undergraduate religious studies degree obviously furnishes the optimal preparation for those who wish to pursue graduate work in religious studies, leading to career opportunities in secondary or higher education.

To examine even more of the broad spectrum of possibilities open to religious studies majors, check out the following websites describing the jobs landed by past religious studies majors:

• Duke University religious studies majors

• What Can I Do with a Philosophy Degree?

• The Philosophy Major's Career Handbook

• Careers/Vocations for Religious Studies Majors

 

Philosophy

Develops Analytical Reasoning Skills
If Philosophy is thought of as an art, then its medium would be the argument. Philosophical explanations require the support of well reasoned arguments. Recognizing, analyzing and evaluating arguments develops this skill set Philosophy majors consistently score at the top in postbaccalaureate examinations, such as GRE, LSAT, GMAT and others.

Improves Articulation of Difficult and Abstract Concepts
Most of the ideas that are important to us are very complex. The ability to express difficult concepts is a major component of being able to successfully read and write philosophy. In turn, this ability gives every student of philosophy an edge in all other academic pursuits, which lasts well beyond one's college years.

Fosters Critical Thinking
The ability to consider and analyze arguments gives one the tools required to understand both sides of any issue. This skill is particularly important, not only in an academic context, but also with respect to moral issues and decisions. A person who possesses critical thinking skills has the tools required to make better decisions, do better moral reasoning, and think more clearly about difficult issues.

Instills a Broad Understanding of the History of Ideas
Philosophical traditions date back to the 7th century BCE. Through careful reasoning about human problems, philosophers have pondered questions that range across the human experience. Studying philosophy will necessarily acquaint you with history, great works of science and literature, and the arts. If you're looking for an undergraduate experience that will make you an informed, well-rounded citizen, then philosophy should be on your list.

Religious Studies

Explains One of the Most Persistent Forces in Human History
Although some mistakenly believe that modern science has rendered religion outdated, religion exerts its influence in even stronger ways throughout the world today than in pre-scientific times.  For instance, consider the constant and rising tensions in the Middle East, debates concerning abortion, the relation between creation and evolution, and capital punishment, as well as the judicial tensions between church and state. Clearly, the way people think about these controversial issues directly mirrors their religious convictions.

Instills a Broad Understanding of the History of Ideas
The study of religion in a college curriculum involves the historical and comparative scrutiny of the religious traditions of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto, just to name a few. The examination of basic questions about religion, such as the existence and nature of God, religious experience, and the role of religion in society, are central to the discipline.

Enables You to Ask and Invites You to Explore the Deepest and Most Profound Questions about Human Existence
Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? Why do innocent people suffer? What is the ultimate purpose of life? What is salvation? How do we perceive people with conflicting beliefs from our own? Different religious traditions offer a host of answers to these questions. The study of religion provides you the opportunity to explore the spectrum of answers to these deepest of questions, and empowers you to make intelligent and well-informed decisions in forming your own beliefs and values.

Improves Articulation of Difficult and Abstract Concepts
Religion is also one of the humanities, and, as such, inquiry in it represents an important preparation for further study and employment. In religious studies, students acquire skills in reading and analysis of texts and cultural situations. It allows students to hone skills in communication, especially in writing, which is becoming increasingly important in our text-based, internet world. Because students gain knowledge of a variety of cultures and learn to listen and understand the differences among peoples, they are ready to work in the increasingly diverse workplace.

Provides Unique Insight into Human Behavior and Experience
Whether consciously or subconsciously, people live out their religious beliefs or lack thereof every day, even in the most mundane of decisions. Affecting all aspects of human experience, the religious dimension of life, though not accessible to the five senses, permeates politics, economics, the fine arts, and all other domains accessible to the five senses.  Therefore, an examination of the religious world views affecting the past and present is essential for understanding what people do and why they do it.

Fosters Critical Thinking
The study of religious traditions gives one the tools required to understand both sides of important ethical issues. This makes the academic study of religion an asset, not only in an academic context, but also with respect to moral issues and decisions. A person who possesses critical thinking skills has the tools required to make better decisions, do better moral reasoning, and think more clearly about difficult issues.

 

Philosophy Concentration

The department offers a major in which students may concentrate in either philosophy or religious studies. The philosophy concentration leading to either a B.A. or a B.S. degree consists of 33 hours; 27 hours of core courses in philosophy and 6 hours of program specific electives. See the Radford University catalog for further B.A. and B.S. requirements.

All Philosophy and Religious studies majors complete the same core curriculum, regardless of concentration:

RELN 112. Survey of World Religions
PHIL 114. Introduction: The Origins of Western Philosophy
PHIL 350. Philosophy of Religion

Please consult the Radford University catalog for area course requirements for students wishing to concentrate in philosophy.

Philosophy Minor

The minor in philosophy consists of 18 semester hours of philosophy courses as outlined below:

PHIL 114. Introduction: The Origins of Western Philosophy

Two of the following three courses:

PHIL 201. Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy
PHIL 302. Early Modern Philosophy
PHIL 303. History of Late Modern Philosophy

One of the following two courses:

PHIL 213. Critical Reasoning and Argumentation
PHIL 340. Symbolic Logic
and
PHIL 390. Ethical Theory
and
PHIL 421. Topics in Philosophy

Religious Studies Concentration

The department offers a major in which students may concentrate in either philosophy or religious studies. The religious studies concentration leading to either a B.A. or a B.S. degree consists of 33 hours; 27 hours of core courses in philosophy and 6 hours of program specific electives. See the Radford University catalog for further B.A. and B.S. requirements.

All Philosophy and Religious studies majors complete the same core curriculum, regardless of concentration:

RELN 112. Survey of World Religions
PHIL 114. Introduction: The Origins of Western Philosophy
PHIL 350. Philosophy of Religion

Please consult the Radford University catalog for area course requirements for students wishing to concentrate in religious studies.

Religious Studies Minor

The minor in religious studies consists of 18 hours of religious studies courses as outlined below.

RELN 111. Introduction to Religion
Four Religious Studies courses at the
300-400 level
RELN 420: Topics in Religious Studies

Philosophy

Government
Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City
Thomas Jefferson, U. S. President
Robert McNamara, former Secretary of Defense
Richard Riorden, Former Mayor of Los Angeles
Justice David Souter, Supreme Court Justice
Justice Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
George Stephanopoulos, former White House Press Secretary

Business
Carl C. Icahn, corporate raider and investor
Frank Moran, founder of Plante and Moran
George Soros, financier and philanthropist

The Arts
Wes Anderson, director, The Royal Tannenbaums
Pearl S. Buck, Nobel Prize for Literature
Ethan Coen, filmmaker
Umberto Eco, novelist
Martin Gardner, author
Richard Gere, actor
Philip Glass, composer
Bruce Lee, martial artist and actor
Elmore Leonard, author
Iris Murdoch, author
Bertrand Russell, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature
Jean-Paul Sartre, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature
Gene Siskel, movie critic
Ken Follett, author
Michael Frayn, Playwright (Copenhagen) & Novelist
Northrup Frye, English scholar and Literary Critic
Rebecca Goldstein, Novelist and MacArthur Prize winner
Terence Malick, filmmaker
Robert Motherwell, painter
Barnett Newman, painter
Marsha Norman, Playwright and Pulitzer Prize Winner
Wallace Shawn, playwright and actor
Mary Higgins Clark, author
Steve Martin, actor, playwright and author

Other
Stokely Carmichael/Kwame Ture, civil rights leader
Phil Jackson, NBA coach
Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
Madelyn Murray O'Hare, civil rights activist
Pope John Paul II
Mario Savio, civil rights leader
Albert Schweitzer, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
John Stoltzmann, winner of the World Poker Open
Angela Davis, Social activist and political philosopher
P. Michael Spense, Economist and Nobel Prize Economics 2001
Juan Williams, NPR host “Talk of the Nation,” writer, journalist

Religious Studies

Arts and Entertainment
Willard Scott, TV personality
David Duchovny, actor
Harrison Ford, actor
Peter Lynch, director
Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet
Steve Thomas, host of This Old House

Social Justice
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights activist and Baptist minister
Elie Wiesel, human rights activist
Dr. Stephen M. Younger, director of Department of Defense's Threat Reduction Agency
John Silber, former president of Boston University

Politics
Pierre Trudeau, former Canadian Prime Minister
Rahm Emanuel, Clinton White House political adviser
Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia
Jerry Brown, former Governor of California

Sports
John Elway, former quarterback for the Denver Broncos
Michael McKaskey, owner of the Chicago Bears
Aaron Taylor, offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers
Mick Schmidt, former Philadelphia Philly

Why Study Religion?
Religious Studies Revival
The Religion Major and Liberal Education
Virtual Religion Index
Religion Dispatches
Association of Religion Data Archives
Beliefnet
Adherents.com

Links of Specific Interest
Religious Movements Homepage Project
African Traditional Religion
Biblical Archaeology Society
Buddhanet
Center of Traditional Taoist Studies
Fides Quaerens Internetum
Council on American Muslim Relations
The Orthodox Christian Page in America
The Pluralism Project
Religion and Spirituality
South Asia Web Links - Religions
Ten Things Everyone Needs to Know about Islam
Torah.org
Zarathushtra