Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Philosophy and Religion


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Arts and Letters

David M. Holley, Chair
118 College Drive, Box 5015
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4518

Bruton, Capper Jr., DeArmey, Eickelmann, Hardman, Meyers, Mullican, Rempel, Slagle, Smithka

The mission of the Department of Philosophy and Religion is to offer opportunities for engagement with historical and contemporary areas of philosophy and with the religious traditions of the world. We seek to enrich the educational experience of students at The University of Southern Mississippi by helping them to understand ideas and practices that have shaped our world and involving them in critical thinking about their own fundamental beliefs and values. For both students and the wider community, we seek to create learning opportunities that illuminate the ethical dimensions of professional activity and encourage thoughtful and responsible citizenship.

The department offers programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts with a major in philosophy or a major in religion. These majors offer a strong grounding for students who are interested in pursuing graduate study in philosophy or religion. The majors are also attractive to students who seek a broad liberal arts background in preparation for professional studies in fields such as law, medicine, theology or business. Many students with an interest in these areas choose philosophy or religion as a second major.

Requirements for a Major in Philosophy

The major in philosophy requires 33 semester hours in philosophy and religion courses, including PHI 151 - Introduction to Philosophy , PHI 253 - Logic , PHI 356 - Ethics , PHI 410 - Classical Philosophy , PHI 412 - Modern Philosophy , PHI 480 - Philosophical Discourse , REL 131 - Comparative Religion  and 12 semester hours of philosophy electives (or nine hours of philosophy electives and three hours of upper-level religion electives). Requirements in courses other than philosophy include 6 hours from ENG, HIS, or REL at the 300 level or above, and a foreign language through course level 202.

Requirements for a Major in Philosophy with an Emphasis in Pre-Law

The major in philosophy with a Pre-Law emphasis requires 33 semester hours in philosophy and religion courses, including PHI 151 - Introduction to Philosophy , PHI 253 - Logic , PHI 351 - Critical Thinking , PHI 356 - Ethics , PHI 451 - Political Philosophy  or PHI 453 - Philosophy of Law , PHI 480 - Philosophical Discourse , REL 131 - Comparative Religion  and 12 semester hours of philosophy electives (or nine hours of philosophy electives and three hours of upper-level religion electives). Requirements in courses other than philosophy or religion include ECO 101 - Basic Economics , ENG 332 - Advanced Composition  or ENG 333 - Technical Writing , PS 380 - Introduction to Law in American Society , PS 480 - United States Constitutional Law  or PS 489 - U. S. Supreme Court and Civil Liberties , and a foreign language through course level 202.

Requirements for a Major in Religion

A major in religion requires 33 semester hours in philosophy and religion courses, including REL 131 - Comparative Religion , PHI 372 - Philosophy of Religion , three semester hours in an Abrahamic religious tradition, three semester hours in a non-Abrahamic religious tradition, REL 480 - Senior Capstone in Religion , PHI 151 - Introduction to Philosophy  and 15 semester hours of electives in religion or designated religion courses in other departments. Requirements in courses other than religion include 6 hours from ENG, HIS, or REL at the 300 level or above, and a foreign language through course level 202.

Programs

    Bachelor of ArtsNon-degree

    Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Arts and Letters