Philosophy and Religious Studies

Dr. Geoffrey Pollick, Chairperson

4207 Hemphill Hall (HH)

(540) 831-5213

https://www.radford.edu/humanities-behavioral-sciences/philosophy-religious-studies-department/index.html

Undergraduate Program

The department offers a flexible major that can be tailored to an interest in philosophy or religious studies. Philosophy and Religious Studies majors may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Minors include philosophy, world religious diversity, ethics, religious diversity for care professions, and science and values.

The Philosophy and Religious Studies degree is ideal for curious minds who care about solving real-world problems, analyzing complex social and cultural data, and cultivating empathy and interest in other people. The Philosophy and Religious Studies major provides opportunities to learn skills in complex problem-solving, moral and ethical reasoning, and analyzing and understanding arguments.

The study of philosophy provides students with a broad understanding of the history and dynamics of human thought, a detailed knowledge of moral and theoretical issues, and training in critical and analytic thinking skills. The study of religion provides students with a broad understanding of the world’s major religions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, among many others); a knowledge of the common elements and themes in religion; and a familiarity with the various approaches and methods used to study the substance and functioning of religion. The degree in philosophy and religious studies prepares graduates for a vast range of careers and further study, including law school or graduate school, nonprofit, public policy, or social services careers, work as an educator or community leader, as a business entrepreneur or in marketing and management, or many other areas of work.

Above all, the Philosophy and Religious Studies major introduces students to the most profound and universal questions humans have asked, and to their most thoughtful and enduring answers, producing graduates who are uniquely equipped to face the rapidly changing character of communities and the workforce.

Programs

Degree

*Programs may have different REAL designations based on the concentration(s) selected. Click on the major for more details.

Academic Minor

To graduate with a minor, a student must have a 2.0 or higher GPA in all courses required for the minor, and should be officially registered for the minor at least one semester prior to graduation. Courses used to fulfill major or minor requirements cannot be used to fulfill concentrations or option requirements within Interdisciplinary Studies.