In the Religion and Philosophy Department at Capital University, students and faculty together consider the “big questions” for which there are no easy answers.
Both Religion and Philosophy offer theories and methods for tackling these questions in a way that brings scholarly rigor to bear on matters that are at the heart of what it means to be human, as individuals and as part of a community.
The department offers a major and minor in Philosophy and three majors and minors in Religion (Religion, Youth Ministry and Christian Education, and Worship Ministry). While many of our Religion students have interest in ministry studies, an equally strong group of students pursue the academic study of religion more generally, developing interests in world religions, religion and literature, history, and theology. Our Religion faculty also administers the pre-seminary program at Capital, in which students from any major may work toward admission to seminary programs and employment in a wide range of professional ministry settings. Our Philosophy program is an important option for pre-law students, who will find that—nationally—Philosophy students are consistently among the highest scorers on the LSAT exam. Indeed, students in pre-law from all majors are encouraged to take at least two Philosophy courses: Introduction to Logic and Symbolic Logic.
what you'll learn
As a religion major or minor, you'll develop:
- An understanding of the nature of religion, of the sacred, and of major religious traditions, including Christianity;
- The ability to carry on disciplined, critical dialogue about varied understandings of religion and religious questions;
- An understanding of how religion shapes and is shaped the social, historical, and cultural contexts of which it is a part;
- The ability to think critically and to articulate and defend your own ideas;
- The ability to think creatively and to work both independently and as part of a community with common goals; and
- The capacity to think critically about life and work in a way that honors your own abilities and needs and those of your community.
Majors and minors in religion take courses in history, world religions, theology, philosophy, language, and literature. Those who choose one of the ministry tracks take additional specialized courses.
As a philosophy major or minor, you'll explore foundational questions like:
- What can we know?
- What beliefs are reasonable?
- What does it mean to be a happy, fulfilled person?
- What is human nature?
- Does life have a meaning?
- What do we mean by freedom, and how do we realize it?
You'll do this through historical studies in philosophy, logic, and the relation of philosophy to science, the arts, religion, health care and politics and other disciplines. You'll have opportunities to study contemporary problems in philosophy. And you'll be encouraged to study independently.
Explore both program and their course descriptions in our online course bulletin.
where you'll go: career paths and placement
Our religion graduates are well prepared for graduate school or seminary. Other students enter the job market immediately upon graduation. Our graduates are participating in ordained ministry nationally and internationally, and they're working in a wide variety of programs and occupations, demonstrating the value and flexibility of Capital’s religion program.
Many employers seek out philosophy majors and minors because they are critical thinkers and careful communicators — skills in high demand for leadership positions. Philosophy graduates tend to combine a useful blend of imagination and critical thinking skills, which often make them creative entrepreneurs and agents of change in society.
Capital's philosophy graduates choose any different career paths after they leave Capital, including law (did we mention we have a Law School?), public policy, government, technology, and the ministry. Others pursue advanced degrees in philosophy so they can teach.