Faculty: INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE PGROGRAMS This interdisciplinary major combines the study of philosophy and religious sciences, exploring the fundamental questions of human existence, ethics, metaphysics, and religious beliefs. Students delve into key areas such as philosophical traditions, religious texts, ethical theories, comparative religion, and the intersection of philosophy and theology. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and the application of philosophical and religious principles to contemporary issues. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, religious studies, ethics, and related fields. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand the fundamentals of philosophy and religious sciences. - Develop skills in critical thinking, logical reasoning, and ethical analysis. - Learn techniques for interpreting philosophical and religious texts. - Explore the intersection of philosophy and theology, and their impact on contemporary issues. - Understand the principles of comparative religion and interfaith dialogue. - Analyze challenges and opportunities in philosophical and religious studies. - Develop teamwork and problem-solving skills for philosophical and religious projects. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Philosophy and Religious Sciences** - Overview of philosophy and religious sciences, their history, and key concepts. - Fundamentals of philosophical traditions, religious beliefs, and ethical theories. 2. **Philosophical Traditions** - Principles of major philosophical traditions, including ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy. - Techniques for analyzing and interpreting philosophical texts and ideas. 3. **Religious Texts and Interpretation** - Fundamentals of religious texts, including scriptures, commentaries, and theological works. - Techniques for interpreting and understanding religious texts and beliefs. 4. **Ethical Theories** - Principles of ethical theories, including deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics. - Techniques for applying ethical theories to contemporary moral issues. 5. **Comparative Religion** - Principles of comparative religion, including the study of world religions, their beliefs, practices, and histories. - Techniques for comparing and contrasting different religious traditions. 6. **Philosophy of Religion** - Fundamentals of the philosophy of religion, including the existence of God, religious experience, and the problem of evil. - Techniques for exploring the philosophical dimensions of religious beliefs. 7. **Interfaith Dialogue** - Principles of interfaith dialogue, including the promotion of understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among different religious traditions. - Techniques for facilitating and participating in interfaith dialogues. 8. **Contemporary Issues in Philosophy and Religion** - Analysis of contemporary issues such as bioethics, environmental ethics, and religious pluralism. - Techniques for applying philosophical and religious principles to address contemporary challenges. 9. **Capstone Project in Philosophy and Religious Sciences** - Real-world project to apply learned skills in philosophical analysis, religious interpretation, or interfaith dialogue. - Techniques for delivering a comprehensive solution to philosophical and religious challenges. **Assessment Methods:** - Philosophical analyses, religious text interpretations, ethical theory applications, comparative religion studies, philosophy of religion essays, interfaith dialogue projects, research papers, group projects, and internships. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "The Republic" by Plato. - "Nicomachean Ethics" by Aristotle. - "Summa Theologica" by Thomas Aquinas. - "The World's Religions" by Huston Smith. - "Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction" by Brian Davies. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of philosophy, religious studies, and ethical theories. Suitable for students interested in philosophy, religious sciences, ethics, and related fields. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, and internships. Advanced degrees may take additional years. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Philosophy and Religious Sciences and pursue further specialization or professional certifications in philosophy, religious studies, or ethics. **Target Audience:** Aspiring philosophers, religious scholars, ethicists, and professionals seeking to specialize in philosophy and religious sciences. This major equips students with the critical thinking, analytical, and interpretive skills needed to excel in philosophy and religious sciences, supporting the exploration of fundamental questions and contemporary issues.