Welcome to the Religion and Philosophy Department
The Department of Religion and Philosophy is committed to teaching, scholarship and critical questioning. We are dedicated teachers who view learning as a cooperative enterprise, as an engaging conversation between students, teacher and the topic of inquiry. We challenge students to take an active role in their own learning in order to empower them as self-directed, life-long learners. The department is a complex, multi-dimensional community of inquirers representing a great variety of viewpoints, religious and a-religious, who value the contribution of each other to their dialogue. We are a department with people educated in Religious Studies and Philosophy, but we often work and teach across traditional academic disciplines. We share a common interest in perennial questions and issues as well as those of more recent vintage; and we share a commitment to examine those questions with reason and imagination.
Students studying philosophy and religion at Capital explore complex issues related to human existence, meaning, justice, evil, and other significant questions. We expect all students to be open to learning, to be committed to critical thought and to the rigorous pursuit of disciplined inquiry. The department includes two different majors, Philosophy and Religion, as well as different concentrations within the disciplines. The department serves the Capital University community by providing courses in religion and ethics that fulfill General Education requirements for all undergraduate students.
About the area of Philosophy. Philosophy faculty and students pursue inquiries in ethics, epistemology, logic, the history of philosophy, as well as the philosophy of religion, art, politics, and science. Teaching in these areas is designed to induct students into a community of inquiry that sets high standards for engaged critical thinking. We believe this experience serves well a variety of students regardless of their ultimate career directions. A large number of our majors pair their philosophy studies with a major in other areas, commonly psychology, English, political science and religion. We strongly encourage such cross-disciplinary pairings.
About the area of Religious Studies. In the study of religion, faculty and students work in the areas of ethics, religious studies, world religions, theology, church history, religious practices, sacred texts, including biblical texts, and the intersection of religion and culture The discipline intends to serve well students who pursue the study of religion as part of their journey of faith and vocation, as well as students whose interest in religion is more purely academic. In continuity with its historical tradition of more than 150 years of providing education for students preparing for Lutheran ministries, the department also provides support, guidance, and education for students preparing for various vocations within their communities, including church-related work, regardless of the students’ denominational traditions.
The links below contain some important information about the department and for students majoring and minoring in Religion and Philosophy.