So much of human life revolves around different religious beliefs, do you desire to understand this powerful aspect? Life is full of difficult questions, do you desire the skills and knowledge to answer them? If you answered 'yes' to at least one of these questions, a major in religion or philosophy is for you.

Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Religion and Philosophy is to contribute to the College's historic and continuing commitment to liberal arts education by giving students a solid grounding in the academic study of religion and philosophy.

The religion curriculum cultivates an understanding of the fundamental texts, basic beliefs and practices, historical development, and cultural contexts of the world's religions with the goal that students discover for themselves a genuine appreciation of, and respect for, the rich diversity of religious perspectives.

The philosophy curriculum provides students the opportunity to engage with contemporary philosophical issues, while gaining a thorough grounding in the history of philosophy. Students will develop an appreciation for the principles of reasoned argumentation, and an ability to pose and answer philosophical questions. Students will use their philosophical skills to analyze issues that are fundamental to other disciplines, and will come to see how considering the "big questions" is a crucial aspect of living a good life.

In addition to the disciplinary knowledge and expertise that we provide, both disciplines equip students with critical thinking, writing, and communication skills that will guide them toward lives and careers in which they are prepared to be lifelong learners and to make sound value judgments in personal, social, and global matters.