Philosophy & Religious Studies

Philosophy Objectives:

Philosophy courses enhance students’ critical and analytic reasoning skills. They introduce students to a wide variety of philosophical traditions. The major prepares students for graduate study in philosophy as well as for professional studies such as law, journalism and medicine (in conjunction with the pre-medical track).

A student who has successfully completed a major in philosophy will be able to:

1. Understand, analyze and critically evaluate a wide range of philosophical issues and texts in the history of philosophy with an increased sensibility to conceptual subtleties and linguistic nuances.
2. Express herself clearly, cogently and critically in her written work.
3. Identify and analyze the secondary literature relevant to a philosophical topic.
4. Recognize informal logical fallacies as well as criteria for well-formed definitions.
5. Understand tools of formal logical analysis, including derivations and truth tables.
6. Engage in philosophic practice within the analytic and Continental traditions of philosophy.
7. Empower students to use their critical skills to become thoughtful independent thinkers and leaders.

Religious Studies Objectives:

The religious studies program at Spelman College offers students the opportunity to engage the academic study of religion in an interdisciplinary context. Courses explore the nature of religion as a significant phenomenon of human life. Religion is studied by analyzing sacred texts, by examining the histories of distinct religious traditions, and by exploring the general interaction of religion with social and cultural life in diverse settings. Focus also is placed on the roles of women in religions and on the meanings of religion in the African diaspora.

Upon completion of a major in religious studies, students should:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the academic study of religion

2. Be able to identify and analyze various methods in the study of religions

3. Critically understand the historical developments of a variety of religious traditions, including the roles and statuses of women in religious traditions

4. Demonstrate knowledge about and be able to articulate critical developments of a variety of religious traditions of the African diaspora

5. Demonstrate critical writing and reasoning skills, especially in regard to roles of religion in social life

6. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate her own spirituality and leadership development as a Black woman