The department encompasses two
disciplines that share a commitment to pursue the fundamental questions
of human existence, particularly at the intersection of faith and
knowledge, and to examine the various ways in which the traditions of
philosophy and religion have answered these questions.
The philosophy program is designed to
encourage students to think creatively and critically, to analyze
important texts and issues in the history of philosophy, and to bring
challenges and contemporary perspectives to that tradition. The term ‘philosophy,’
which literally translates as ‘love of wisdom,’ can be understood as
the reasoned pursuit of truth. The breadth of the aim means that courses
in philosophy range from considerations of how we should live to the
nature of human knowing.
The academic study of religion is an
exciting approach to a liberal arts education. It is inherently
interdisciplinary - drawing upon the insights of history, sociology,
politics, philosophy and literature, among others. The program is
designed to provide opportunities for students to approach religious
traditions in a variety of ways - including an exploration of rituals,
beliefs, theology, ethics, communal worship, etc. With courses in the
study of the Bible and the history of Christian thought, the major gives
students a solid grounding in Christian traditions. The program is
further designed to expose students to the rich history and variety of
the world’s religious traditions.
Students attend off-campus retreats and workshops, and
can compete for positions in the Newberry Library study program in Chicago. Students can
also join the Sam Thompson Club, named after a legendary Monmouth College philosophy
professor, to discuss philosophical and theological concepts outside the classroom.
