Philosophy and Religion, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy and Religion offers students an interdisciplinary pathway for studying philosophical and religious traditions around the world. Students who complete this BA develop critical skills in analytical thinking, reasoning and logic, cultural and historical awareness, information literacy, and thoughtful expression, all of which are essential for navigating global politics, economic contexts, and professional life, as well as for engaging with peoples of different philosophical and religious backgrounds. Courses in philosophy explore questions in metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of science, ethics, bioethics, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics. They teach students how to analyze complex questions such as: how to live ethically, how to form beliefs properly, how to reason well, how to understand the connection between the mind and body, how to understand justice, and how to live a fulfilling life. Courses in religion examine the history, peoples, practices, beliefs, and objects of Africana Religions, Indigenous lifeways, Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, new religious movements, esoteric traditions, and other religious practices, cultures, and sensibilities. These courses train students how to interrogate the complex relationships between religion, race, racism, gender, politics, material culture, and technology.

Oral Communication Requirement:

To satisfy the oral communication requirement for the B.A. degree in Philosophy and Religion a student must successfully complete PAR 400 .

Applied Learning Requirement:

To satisfy the applied learning requirement for the B.A. degree in Philosophy and Religion a student must turn in to the department chair, before graduation, an independent research project completed in PAR 400 , PAR 491 , PAR 495 or PAR 499 .

Requirements for a Major in Philosophy and Religion for the B.A. Degree:

B.A. degree with an emphasis in philosophy:

Philosophy Core

PAR 101 - The Big Questions: Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3
PAR 105 - Critical Reasoning With Artificial Intelligence Credit Hours: or
PAR 110 - Introduction to Logic Credit Hours: 3
PAR 103 - Exploring Religions Credit Hours: 3 or
PAR 125 - Scriptures of the World’s Religions Credit Hours: 3
PAR 115 - Introduction to Ethics Credit Hours: 3 or
PAR 215 - Medical Ethics: Life and Death Decisions in Health Care Credit Hours: 3
PAR 201 - History of Western Philosophy I Credit Hours: 3
PAR 202 - Modern Philosophy: Descartes to Kant Credit Hours: 3
PAR 400 - Colloquium for Majors Credit Hours: 3

Electives

15 additional hours at the 300-400 level, 9 of which must be in philosophy.

B.A. degree with an emphasis in religion:

Religion Core

PAR 103 - Exploring Religions Credit Hours: 3 or
PAR 125 - Scriptures of the World’s Religions Credit Hours: 3
PAR 101 - The Big Questions: Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3 or
PAR 110 - Introduction to Logic Credit Hours: 3
PAR 230 - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Credit Hours: 3
PAR 232 - Asian Religions Credit Hours: 3
PAR 400 - Colloquium for Majors Credit Hours: 3

Electives

21 additional hours at the 200-400 level: 15 hours must be at the 300-400 level, 12 of which must be in religion; 15 hours must be in religion.

Total: 36 hours

Additional Information:

An overall grade point average of “C” (2.00) or better is required in courses counted toward the major. In accordance with UNCW residency requirement, at least 15 hours at the 300-400 level must be taken at UNCW.