Introduction
The Department of
Philosophy offers majors in Philosophy,
in Philosophy with a concentration in
Environmental Ethics, and in Philosophy
with a concentration in Religious
Studies, as well as minors in both
Philosophy and Religious Studies.
Philosophy is the systematic study of ideas and
issues fundamental to human existence,
such as the nature of knowledge, reality
and goodness. In addition to standard
offerings in Western philosophy, the
department has courses in non-Western
(Asian) philosophies and was among the
first departments in the country to
offer a courses in environmental ethics.
Environmental Ethics is the
examination of theories addressing how
it is that humans ought to interact with
the non-human world. The program is
designed to compliment any of the
university's programs in the College of
Natural Resources as well as many other
university programs. Religious
Studies focuses on the history,
beliefs, and practices of the world's
religions and, more generally, on the
roles religion plays in human life and
culture. The perspective is both global
and comparative. In addition to standard
offerings in religious studies, the
department has courses in feminist
studies in religion,
Why Study Philosophy and Religious Studies at UW-Stevens
Point?
Studying
philosophy or religious studies will help you develop a
clearer understanding and appreciation of the world and
of yourself. Both disciplines will help you think
seriously about important questions. They will stretch
your capacity to tolerate uncertainty and to live with
the open-endedness of critical dialogue. Studying
philosophy will enable you to recognize and critically
analyze the arguments that stand behind and support many
of your most vital beliefs. Religious studies will help
you see how the systems of meaning, value, and identity
we call "religion" have shaped the histories of
distinctive human cultures and the actions of creative
individuals.
Department Features
The Department
of Philosophy has eight full-time and two half-time
professors in philosophy and religious studies. All hold
the Ph.D. Some have received University awards for
teaching and scholarship. All share a commitment to
undergraduate education stressing the needs of
individual students. The department also houses the
Anthropology program, with two full-time faculty.
Employment Opportunity
Some of our
majors pursue graduate training in
philosophy, religious studies, law, or other
disciplines. For most, however, the
philosophy major serves as a liberal arts
preparation for a career in another field.
In a world where many will change their jobs
or careers several times during their life,
our majors, along with the University’s
general degree requirements, help prepare
students for their third jobs, as well as
their first. Ou programs should help you
develop skills — for example, the ability to
think clearly and communicate effectively —
that are transferable to a number of
careers. There is a more detailed discussion
of career options in our department’s web
site:
http://www.uwsp.edu/philosophy/.
It is possible to combine a major with
philosophy or philosophy with a
concentration in religious studies with a
major in some other academic field such as
biology, English, history, political
science, psychology, theatre, and about half
our majors do so.
Suggested Course of Study for Philosophy &
Religious Studies
Many entering
students take one of the 100-level courses
in philosophy or religious studies. There is
no strict order in which courses must be
taken, and students have considerable
flexibility in choosing the sequence of
courses leading to a major or minor. Some
who come to philosophy late or as a second
major complete most of the courses for the
major during their last two years on campus.
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UWSP
Philosophy/Religious Studies Graduates at
Work
Higher Education
teaching
librarian
Law
private practice
circuit court judge
corporate attorney
Government Service
social services supervisor
staff assistant to a US Senator
IRS program analyst
Professional Ministry
Financial Services
banking
investment broker
Information Technology
president of computer software company
data quality specialist for insurance
company
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