Philosophy

 

What We Emphasize

• Our Philosophy major prepares you for graduate work in a variety of fields.

How We Teach

• We have high academic expectations and provide lots of space for you to stretch yourself intellectually
• The average teacher-to-student ratio for the college drops from an impressive 1:15 to an even more incredible 1:4 in our major courses
• Full-time faculty members all have Ph.D. degrees
• Our faculty have a combined total of over 65 years teaching experience
• In the classroom, we emphasize lectures, as well as the Socratic experience with lots of dialogue, conversations, and free-wheeling debates

What You’ll Learn

• Our faculty is noted for its level of academic achievement
• We’re also recognized for a caring, concerned attitude for our students
• We help you become an independent, critical thinker, prepared with the skills you need for further graduate study or to be effective in serving your local church
• In striving to reach your particular goal, you’ll have the opportunity for interaction with faculty members well beyond the classroom
• We meet and talk with our students every place – in our homes, at lunch, around campus and, especially, in our department offices, where our students feel comfortable, confident, and welcome
• The department organizes two lecture and symposium workshops each year and sponsors Theta Chi Beta, an honorary club that holds regular meetings and arranges speakers of interest
• There are opportunities for internships that provide students practical experience
• Many of our students work in local churches -- not for credit, but for financial support and first-hand involvement in church activities
• Although some of our graduates pursue social service careers or go to law school, we prepare most of our majors to attend theological seminary or for positions in Christian education in the local church 
• We welcome anyone wishing to major in religion
• We’re looking primarily for the student who has some interest in the ministry, theological study, or church-related activities and is well-educated generally, especially in the humanities
• Students may qualify for special financial aid for pre-theological students (there are additional sources of aid for persons pursuing other concentrations)

How You’ll Benefit

• Our first-year graduates with a Religion major tend to fare exceptionally well in graduate schools
• Many of our students have been the recipients of substantial scholarship awards
• Most of our students who want to go to graduate school have done so and attended some of the finest universities in the country, such as
  • Chicago
  • Duke
  • Emory
  • Princeton