Philosophy and Religion - Christopher Newport University

Areas of Study

Philosophy and Religion

Our coursework focuses on the empathetic ability to understand, the precise writing skills to articulate, and the critical-thinking power to examine the historical institutions, doctrines, and practices of different religious and philosophical traditions.

We offer the following:

  • Bachelor of arts in philosophy
    • Optional concentrations in pre-seminary studies and studies in religion
  • Judeo-Christian studies minor
  • Philosophy of law minor
  • Philosophy and religious studies minor

The curriculum is very flexible, and is often pursued in conjunction with other majors and minors. We also participate in the 3 + 1 + 1 master's degree program with the University of Glasgow.

Students majoring in Philosophy who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Philosophy.

Core

  • PHIL 101 - Critical Thinking I
  • PHIL 205 - The Anatomy of Thought
  • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
  • PHIL 490W - Senior Seminar
  • PHIL 201 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  • PHIL 202 - Modern Philosophy

Electives (18 credits)

  • Select one:
    • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
    • PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Gender
    • PHIL 319 - Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
    • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
    • PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
  • Select one:
    • PHIL 305 - The Quest for Truth
    • PHIL 317 - Existentialism
    • PHIL 320 - Scientific Reasoning
    • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
  • Select four:
    • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
    • PHIL 305 - The Quest for Truth
    • PHIL 306 - Search for Beauty
    • PHIL 307 - Current Trends in Modern Thought
    • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
    • PHIL 312 - American Philosophy
    • PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Gender
    • PHIL 317 - Existentialism
    • PHIL 319 - Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
    • PHIL 320 - Scientific Reasoning
    • PHIL 321W - Legal Reasoning
    • PHIL 326W - Philosophy in the Movies
    • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 344 - Yoga: Philosophy and Practice
    • PHIL 348 - Asian Philosophy
    • PHIL 349 - Islamic Philosophy
    • PHIL 370 - Philosophy Seminar Abroad
    • PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
    • PHIL 379 - Philosophy of Language
    • PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
    • PHIL 386 - Values and Postmodernity
    • PHIL 395 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 425 - The Constitutional Theory
    • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
    • PHIL 490W - Senior Seminar
    • PHIL 491 - Practicum
    • PHIL 495 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 499 - Independent Study
    • RSTD 310 - Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
    • RSTD 312 - Religion and the Arts
    • RSTD 318 - Interfaith Studies
    • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
    • RSTD 321 - The Church and the State
    • RSTD 326W - Religion in the Movies
    • RSTD 330 - Christian Prayer and Spirituality
    • RSTD 335 - Primal Religions: Myth, Ritual, and Oral Expression
    • RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
    • RSTD 338 - Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
    • RSTD 340 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Happiness
    • RSTD 345 - Scriptures of the World
    • RSTD 350 - Thinking About God
    • RSTD 361 - Hebrew Bible
    • RSTD 362 - New Testament
    • RSTD 366 - Bhagavad Gita and Sacred Hindu Texts
    • RSTD 370 - Religious Studies Seminar Abroad
    • RSTD 395 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 491 - Practicum/Internship
    • RSTD 495 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 499 - Independent Research

Pre-Seminary Studies Concentration

Students majoring in Philosophy with a concentration in Pre-Seminary Studies who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Philosophy.

Core

  • PHIL 101 - Critical Thinking I
  • PHIL 205 - The Anatomy of Thought
  • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
  • PHIL 490W - Senior Seminar
  • RSTD 361 - Hebrew Bible
  • RSTD 362 - New Testament
  • RSTD 491 - Practicum/Internship

Electives (18 credits)

  • Select one:
    • RSTD 220 - The Vision of Hinduism
    • RSTD 232 - Visions of Christianity
    • RSTD 260 - The Vision of Buddhism
    • RSTD 265 - The Vision of Judaism
    • RTSD 270
  • Select one:
    • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
    • RSTD 335 - Primal Religions: Myth, Ritual, and Oral Expression
    • RSTD 350 - Thinking About God
    • PHIL 317 - Existentialism
    • PHIL 348 - Asian Philosophy
    • PHIL 349 - Islamic Philosophy
  • Select one:
    • RSTD 312 - Religion and the Arts
    • RSTD 326W - Religion in the Movies
    • RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
    • RSTD 338 - Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
    • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
    • PHIL 306 - Search for Beauty
    • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
    • PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Gender
    • PHIL 319 - Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
    • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
  • Select one:
    • RSTD 236 - Sacred Communication, Sacred Journeys
    • RSTD 310 - Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
    • RSTD 318 - Interfaith Studies
    • RSTD 330 - Christian Prayer and Spirituality
    • RSTD 340 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Happiness
    • RSTD 345 - Scriptures of the World
  • Select two:
    • PHIL 101 - Critical Thinking I
    • PHIL 195 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 201 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
    • PHIL 202 - Modern Philosophy
    • PHIL 205 - The Anatomy of Thought
    • PHIL 207 - Ethical Issues in Business: A Critical Thinking Approach
    • PHIL 215 - Philosophy and Literature
    • PHIL 252 - African Philosophy
    • PHIL 295 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
    • PHIL 305 - The Quest for Truth
    • PHIL 306 - Search for Beauty
    • PHIL 307 - Current Trends in Modern Thought
    • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
    • PHIL 312 - American Philosophy
    • PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Gender
    • PHIL 317 - Existentialism
    • PHIL 319 - Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
    • PHIL 320 - Scientific Reasoning
    • PHIL 321W - Legal Reasoning
    • PHIL 326W - Philosophy in the Movies
    • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 344 - Yoga: Philosophy and Practice
    • PHIL 348 - Asian Philosophy
    • PHIL 349 - Islamic Philosophy
    • PHIL 370 - Philosophy Seminar Abroad
    • PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
    • PHIL 379 - Philosophy of Language
    • PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
    • PHIL 386 - Values and Postmodernity
    • PHIL 395 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 425 - The Constitutional Theory
    • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
    • PHIL 490W - Senior Seminar
    • PHIL 491 - Practicum
    • PHIL 495 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 499 - Independent Study
    • RSTD 195 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 211 - Religions of the East
    • RSTD 212 - Religions of the West
    • RSTD 218 - The Qur’an
    • RSTD 220 - The Vision of Hinduism
    • RSTD 232 - Visions of Christianity
    • RSTD 236 - Sacred Communication, Sacred Journeys
    • RSTD 260 - The Vision of Buddhism
    • RSTD 265 - The Vision of Judaism
    • RSTD 265 - Visions of Judaism
    • RSTD 270 - The Vision of Islam
    • RSTD 295 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 310 - Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
    • RSTD 312 - Religion and the Arts
    • RSTD 318 - Interfaith Studies
    • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
    • RSTD 321 - The Church and the State
    • RSTD 326W - Religion in the Movies
    • RSTD 330 - Christian Prayer and Spirituality
    • RSTD 335 - Primal Religions: Myth, Ritual, and Oral Expression
    • RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
    • RSTD 338 - Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
    • RSTD 340 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Happiness
    • RSTD 345 - Scriptures of the World
    • RSTD 350 - Thinking About God
    • RSTD 361 - Hebrew Bible
    • RSTD 362 - New Testament
    • RSTD 366 - Bhagavad Gita and Sacred Hindu Texts
    • RSTD 370 - Religious Studies Seminar Abroad
    • RSTD 395 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 491 - Practicum/Internship
    • RSTD 495 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 499 - Independent Research

Religious Studies Concentration

Students majoring in Philosophy with a concentration in Religious Studies who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Philosophy.

Core

  • PHIL 101 - Critical Thinking I
  • PHIL 205 - The Anatomy of Thought
  • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
  • PHIL 490W - Senior Seminar
  • RSTD 211 - Religions of the East
  • RSTD 212 - Religions of the West

Electives (18 credits)

  • Select three:
    • RSTD 220 - The Vision of Hinduism
    • RSTD 232 - Visions of Christianity
    • RSTD 260 - The Vision of Buddhism
    • RSTD 256
    • RSTD 270 - The Vision of Islam
    • RSTD 318 - Interfaith Studies
    • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
    • RSTD 330 - Christian Prayer and Spirituality
    • RSTD 335 - Primal Religions: Myth, Ritual, and Oral Expression
    • RSTD 340 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Happiness
    • RSTD 350 - Thinking About God
  • Select three:
    • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
    • PHIL 305 - The Quest for Truth
    • PHIL 306 - Search for Beauty
    • PHIL 307 - Current Trends in Modern Thought
    • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
    • PHIL 312 - American Philosophy
    • PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Gender
    • PHIL 317 - Existentialism
    • PHIL 319 - Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
    • PHIL 320 - Scientific Reasoning
    • PHIL 321 - WI - Legal Reasoning
    • PHIL 326 - WI - Philosophy in the Movies
    • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 344 - Yoga: Philosophy and Practice
    • PHIL 348 - Asian Philosophy
    • PHIL 349 - Islamic Philosophy
    • PHIL 370 - Philosophy Seminar Abroad
    • PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
    • PHIL 379 - Philosophy of Language
    • PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
    • PHIL 386 - Values and Postmodernity
    • PHIL 395 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 425 - The Constitutional Theory
    • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
    • PHIL 490 - WI - Senior Seminar
    • PHIL 491 - Practicum
    • PHIL 495 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 499 - Independent Study
    • RSTD 310 - Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
    • RSTD 312 - Religion and the Arts
    • RSTD 318 - Interfaith Studies
    • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
    • RSTD 321 - The Church and the State
    • RSTD 326 - WI - Religion in the Movies
    • RSTD 330 - Christian Prayer and Spirituality
    • RSTD 335 - Primal Religions: Myth, Ritual, and Oral Expression
    • RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
    • RSTD 338 - Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
    • RSTD 340 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Happiness
    • RSTD 345 - Scriptures of the World
    • RSTD 350 - Thinking About God
    • RSTD 361 - Hebrew Bible
    • RSTD 362 - New Testament
    • RSTD 366 - Bhagavad Gita and Sacred Hindu Texts
    • RSTD 370 - Religious Studies Seminar Abroad
    • RSTD 395 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 491 - Practicum/Internship
    • RSTD 495 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 499 - Independent ResearchC

Core

  • RSTD 232 - Visions of Christianity
  • RSTD 265 - Visions of Judaism

Electives (12 electives)

  • one semester of Greek may be presented:
    • GREK 101 - Beginning Ancient Greek I
    • GREK 102 - Beginning Ancient Greek II
    • GREK 201 - Intermediate Ancient Greek I
    • GREK 295 - Special Topics
  • HIST 310 - The Reformation Era
  • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
  • POLS 320 - Religion and Politics in America
  • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
  • RSTD 321 - The Church and the State
  • RSTD 361 - Hebrew Bible
  • RSTD 362 - New Testament
  • SOCL 313 - Sociology of Religion

  • PHIL 101 - Critical Thinking I
  • PHIL 205 - The Anatomy of Thought
  • 15 credits above the 100-level (at least two courses must be taken at the 300- or 400-level)
    • PHIL 201 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
    • PHIL 202 - Modern Philosophy
    • PHIL 205 - The Anatomy of Thought
    • PHIL 207 - Ethical Issues in Business: A Critical Thinking Approach
    • PHIL 215 - Philosophy and Literature
    • PHIL 252 - African Philosophy
    • PHIL 295 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
    • PHIL 305 - The Quest for Truth
    • PHIL 306 - Search for Beauty
    • PHIL 307 - Current Trends in Modern Thought
    • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Religion
    • PHIL 312 - American Philosophy
    • PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Gender
    • PHIL 317 - Existentialism
    • PHIL 319 - Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
    • PHIL 320 - Scientific Reasoning
    • PHIL 321W - Legal Reasoning
    • PHIL 326W - Philosophy in the Movies
    • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 344 - Yoga: Philosophy and Practice
    • PHIL 348 - Asian Philosophy
    • PHIL 349 - Islamic Philosophy
    • PHIL 370 - Philosophy Seminar Abroad
    • PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
    • PHIL 379 - Philosophy of Language
    • PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
    • PHIL 386 - Values and Postmodernity
    • PHIL 395 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 425 - The Constitutional Theory
    • PHIL 451 - The Great Philosophers
    • PHIL 490W - Senior Seminar
    • PHIL 491 - Practicum
    • PHIL 495 - Special Topics
    • PHIL 499 - Independent Study
    • RSTD 211 - Religions of the East
    • RSTD 212 - Religions of the West
    • RSTD 218 - The Qur’an
    • RSTD 220 - The Vision of Hinduism
    • RSTD 232 - Visions of Christianity
    • RSTD 236 - Sacred Communication, Sacred Journeys
    • RSTD 260 - The Vision of Buddhism
    • RSTD 265 - The Vision of Judaism
    • RSTD 265 - Visions of Judaism
    • RSTD 270 - The Vision of Islam
    • RSTD 295 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 310 - Myth, Symbol, and Ritual
    • RSTD 312 - Religion and the Arts
    • RSTD 318 - Interfaith Studies
    • RSTD 319 - Religion and American Identity
    • RSTD 321 - The Church and the State
    • RSTD 326W - Religion in the Movies
    • RSTD 330 - Christian Prayer and Spirituality
    • RSTD 335 - Primal Religions: Myth, Ritual, and Oral Expression
    • RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
    • RSTD 338 - Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
    • RSTD 340 - Mindfulness, Meditation and Happiness
    • RSTD 345 - Scriptures of the World
    • RSTD 350 - Thinking About God
    • RSTD 361 - Hebrew Bible
    • RSTD 362 - New Testament
    • RSTD 366 - Bhagavad Gita and Sacred Hindu Texts
    • RSTD 370 - Religious Studies Seminar Abroad
    • RSTD 395 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 491 - Practicum/Internship
    • RSTD 495 - Special Topics
    • RSTD 499 - Independent Research

  • PHIL 205 - Anatomy of Thought
  • PHIL 321W - Legal Reasoning
  • PHIL 425 - Constitutional Theory
  • POLS 316 - Constitutional Law

Select one:

  • PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
  • RSTD 321 - The Church and the State

Select one:

  • AMST 350 - Sex, Law, and Society
  • POLS 240 - The Supreme Court in American Politics
  • PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
Accessible Undergraduate Catalog


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