Philosophy and Religion, BA

Introduction

The Philosophy and Religion (PHIL) program draws on traditions of thought from around the world. Its strength lies in its ability to bring diverse traditions to bear on philosophical and religious questions as well as contemporary ethical, social, and political issues. The program offers courses that are designed to help students think critically about fundamental values and their application to society. Program courses are open to students of any major as well as those who want to make Philosophy and Religion their major or minor. The program also offers  the Dual Degree in Philosophy and Religion (B.A.) and American Studies (M.A.). 

The study of Philosophy and Religion is the ability to critically engage ideas, theories, faiths, and forms of life in order to understand and reflect upon them systematically It is the academic disciplines where the individual finds both the knowledge and wisdom to guide and structure the human quest for meaning.

Philosophy and Religion at Stockton University offers a unique program owing to the dynamic and diverse areas of specialty that its members create. The courses offered by program members, both in Philosophy and Religion  provide inspiring opportunities for undergraduates who want to acquire a broad intellectual background capable of making them a success in any field they choose to pursue.

Program Organization

The Philosophy and Religion program offers courses beginning at the introductory level on the leading ideas, values, and history of philosophy and religion, as well as intermediate and upper-level courses of a more intense nature. Stockton also offers a Senior Seminar (the capstone course) annually as well as other specialty courses and independent studies. The program offers a major and a minor in Philosophy and Religion and is also designed to serve non-majors. The following is a current list of courses offered, although not necessarily every semester. 

Introductory Courses

• PHIL 1101 Introduction to Philosophy

• PHIL 1200 Introduction to Buddhism
  PHIL 1201 Introduction to Asian Philosophy

• PHIL 1203 Critical Thinking

• PHIL 1204 Symbolic Logic

• PHIL 1401 Program Solving and the Law

• PHIL 1402 Mysticism and Philosophy 

• PHIL 1403 Theory and Practice of Buddhist Meditation

• PHIL 1404 Buddhism in Cinema

Intermediate Courses

• PHIL 2100 Buddhist Philosophy

• PHIL 2109 Ancient Greek Philosophy

• PHIL 2112 Ethics: Theory and Practice

• PHIL 2118 Pragmatism

• PHIL 2121 Chinese Philosophy

• PHIL 2123 Philosophy of Yoga

• PHIL 2124 Medieval Philosophy

• PHIL 2126 Tibetan Buddhism

• PHIL 2127 Zen Buddhism

• PHIL 2162 Medical Ethics

• PHIL 2201 African-American Philosophy

• PHIL 2211 Social and Political Philosophy

• PHIL 2222 Renaissance Philosophy in Italy

• PHIL 2223 Death, Myth, and Philosophy

• PHIL 2224 The Search for a God Language

• PHIL 2225 Philosophy of Mind

• PHIL 2237 Existentialism and Film

• PHIL 2242 Philosophy and Film

• PHIL 2301 Ethics of AI

• PHIL 2368 Church and State in American Society

• PHIL 2402 Judaism, Christianity, Islam

• PHIL 2403 History of Christianity I

• PHIL 2404 History of Christianity II

• PHIL 2405 Eastern Christianity

• PHIL 2406 Religion in the Modern World

• PHIL 2407 Philosophy of Religion

• PHIL 2408 Emperors, Patriarchs & Sultans

• PHIL 2409 Reflections on Death

• PHIL 2410 Crime, Justice, Morality

Upper-Level Courses

• PHIL 3100 Moral Theory

• PHIL 3116 Philosophies of Art

• PHIL 3120 Music and Philosophy

• PHIL 3115 Marx: Philosophy, Economy, and Relevance

• PHIL 3130 Environmental Philosophy

• PHIL 3201 Plato’s Dialogues

• PHIL 3202 Aristotle

• PHIL 3203 Designing Plato’s City

• PHIL 3302 Philosophies of Psychoanalysis

• PHIL 3300 Nietzsche: Forgetting & Remembering Philosophy

• PHIL 3607 History of Modern Philosophy I

• PHIL 3613 Feminist Philosophies

• PHIL 3617 Critical Social Theory

• PHIL 3618 Critical Theory

• PHIL 3619 History of Modern Philosophy II

• PHIL 3830 Major Thinkers/Major Themes

• PHIL 4600 Senior Seminar

• PHIL 5310 Business Ethics 

Concentrations

For a well-rounded and properly sequenced course of study and to secure the best of all possible career areas of interest, students majoring in Philosophy and Religion are advised by faculty members. Program faculty may also assist those students who wish to combine a major in philosophy with another major, such as psychology, history, and literature. The program also offers a Dual Degree in Philosophy and Religion (B.A.) and American Studies (M.A.). 

Admission to the Program

The program is open to any Stockton student with an interest in philosophy and religion. Prospective students in the Philosophy and Religion program must meet the same standards as students in any of the arts and sciences. They should have some general familiarity with social, cultural, and intellectual history. They should be able to read with understanding and express themselves with clarity in both written and spoken formats. 

The Major

Students wishing to major in the program are encouraged to declare their intentions by the middle of their sophomore year if possible but definitely before the beginning of their junior year. All intended majors are required to consult with the Program Chair upon declaration of their Philosophy and Religion major. The Program Chair will explain the nature of the program and its specific requirements. Transfer students who wish to major in Philosophy and Religion should consult with the Program Chair before enrolling in courses. 

Philosophy and Religion Minor

The Philosophy and Religion program also offers a minor for students who have an interest in philosophy or religion. The minor works extremely well for students who are majoring in other fields, allowing them to further explore theories, histories, and values, while adding a distinctive touch to their degree. To minor in Philosophy and Religion, students are required to complete five courses with a grade of C or better. At least three of the courses must be at the 2000 level or above. To secure the best course progression, students must consult with a faculty member of the program or speak to the Program Chair. 

4+1 B.A. in Philosophy and Religion and M.A. in American Studies Option

Students who declare the Philosophy and Religion B.A./American Studies M.A. 4+1 concentration can matriculate into the program after earning a minimum of 96 credits, with a minimum of 20 credit hours in the PHIL program and a 3.2 G.P.A. in the PHIL major. 

Graduation Requirements

For the B.A. in Philosophy a minimum grade of C is required in all courses counted toward the 64 program credits required for graduation. In addition to the 64-credit General Studies requirement, to qualify for the B.A. degree in Philosophy and Religion the student must satisfactorily complete 64 credits in program/cognate courses as follows:

A minimum of 8 4-credit courses and a maximum of 12- four credit courses in Philosophy and Religion, including independent studies, to be determined in consultation with a program faculty member. 

Required courses: 

• PHIL   1100   Introduction to Philosophy

• Critical Thinking OR Symbolic Logic (PHIL 1203 OR 1204)

• One Ethics Course (PHIL 2112, 2162, 2211, 2301, 3100, 3130, 3617, OR 5310)

• One Asian Philosophy Course (PHIL 1201, 1403, 2100, 2121, 2123, 2126, OR 2127)

• One Religion Course (PHIL 2368, 2403, 2404, 2405, 2406, 2407, OR 2408)

• One History of Philosophy Course (PHIL 2109, 2124, 2222, 3607, OR 3619)

• Senior Seminar (PHIL 4600)

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the program can be explored using the Degree Works web based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Philosophy and Religion website. 

Phi Sigma Tau

The Philosophy and Religion program represents the New Jersey Zeta Chapter of Phi Sigma Tau (PST), the International Honor Society in Philosophy. Several times each semester meetings are arranged for an in-depth analysis and discussion of philosophical texts and student presentations. The undergraduate journal Dialogue is a PST publication where students have published articles and book reviews. All students from Stockton University who meet the criteria for membership are welcome to apply. Membership in PST provides recognition of academic excellence and serves as a means of furthering the philosophical community on campus as well as recognizing student members for scholarships. 

The Stockton Philosophical Society (SPS)

SPS, as it is called by its members, is a student-run organization that meets regularly to discuss various philosophical issues. Although many of the participants are Stockton Philosophy majors and minors, it is open to anyone interested in philosophy. Each meeting is attended by a member of Stockton’s Philosophy faculty, but topics are chosen, and discussions are directed by the students.

Philosophy Goes to the Movies

As part of the SPS, and several times each term, members of the SPS meet to view and discuss films that have significant philosophical content. The films are chosen by the student members of the SPS and the faculty and are introduced by members of the Philosophy and Religion faculty. 

Philosophy Speaker Series

Each year the program brings in a guest speaker for an end-of-year lecture on a topic of religious or philosophical significance.  These lectures are sponsored by the program and serve as an annual gathering of faculty, majors, minors, and other interested parties. 

Graduation with Distinction

A Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Philosophy and Religion may be awarded to the student who earns at least 80% A or A- grades in program courses taken at Stockton, has no Cs in any program or cognate courses, and who receives no F or D (or equivalent) grades in any courses taken at Stockton. Students interested in graduating with distinction should submit a letter of application to the Philosophy and Religion program. The award of distinction will be conferred by the Philosophy and Religion program faculty. 

Career Opportunities

The study of philosophy fosters skills of textual analysis, argumentation, critical thinking, historical consciousness, writing and conceptual synthesis. Thus, the program provides a solid background for the achievement of excellence in all professions. While some Philosophy majors choose to attend graduate school to become professional philosophers, teachers, theologians or ministers, others use their philosophy background as a preparation for a career in law, medicine, government, social services, nonprofit organizations, and business. 

The Philosophy and Religion curriculum worksheet is on the next page. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Philosophy and Religion website