{"id":126,"date":"2021-04-03T10:56:29","date_gmt":"2021-04-03T15:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/college-of-letters-sciences\/school-of-humanities-global-studies\/department-of-philosophy\/philosophy-religious-studies\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T19:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:22:16","slug":"philosophy-religious-studies-university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point","status":"publish","type":"uwsp_programs","link":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/programs\/philosophy-religious-studies-university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point\/","title":{"rendered":"Philosophy: Religious Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">COMMUNICATE ACROSS BOUNDARIES AND LEAD WITH A DEGREE IN PHILOSOPHY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Religion has been and continues to be one of the most powerful forces shaping our world.&nbsp; Grappling with the question of how and why religions are so powerful leads us to deeper understanding of global cultures, the diversity of worldviews, and the mystery of what it means to be human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Study in this discipline focuses on empathetic understanding of human diversity and trains students in the skill of effective communication across cultural divides.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Further, because the study of religion draws on so many other disciplines (history, psychology, sociology, political science, etc.), students learn to analyze and solve problems in ways that are interdisciplinary, creative and holistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How to think logically, read critically, and write clearly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to research in the digital age and assess information sources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to communicate across the boundaries of cultural and religious differences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horizontal-cards gold-hex blockspacetop blockspacebottom\"><div class=\"site-width\"><div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"horizontal-card-intro\"><h3>Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies<\/h3><div class=\"acc-intro-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/school-of-humanities-and-global-studies\/department-of-philosophy-and-religious-studies\/\">Explore Department Resources <\/a><\/div><\/div><section class=\"hcard-container\" aria-label=\"Horizontal Card\"><div class=\"uwsp-horizontal-card-container\" aria-live=\"off\">\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17786964693619104\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">Why Pursue Religious Studies at UW-Stevens Point?<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>Graduates in philosophy with an emphasis in religious studies possess key skills employers seek, including critical thinking, written and oral communication, information literacy, the ability to rapidly master new skills, and most importantly, empathetic understanding of human diversity and the ability to communicate effectively across cultural divides. While some graduates pursue careers in ministry, others go on to careers in counseling, higher education leadership, management, teaching, social services, and much more.<\/p><\/div><div>\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-solid-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academic-success\/\" target=\"_self\">ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-solid-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/admissions-aid\/\" target=\"_self\">SCHOLARSHIP AND AID <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-outline-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academic-and-career-advising-center\/current-students\/degree-planning\/major-maps\/\" target=\"_self\">MAJOR MAP <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XriGkXsQnhM\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17786964706928362\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">Awards and Scholarships<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>The Philosophy Department has scholarships to currently enrolled students. Students are notified of available scholarships in class and via email at the beginning of the spring semester.<\/p><\/div><div>\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-link-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/uwsp.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com\/CMXAdmin\/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1601\" target=\"_self\">SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"hcard-images hcard-oneimg\"><div class=\"hcard-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/04\/phil-bookawards.jpg)\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17793026389433662\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">ALUMNI VOICES<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>Philosophy helped them carve a path to fulfilling careers. UWSP Department of Philosophy alum from 2003- 2019 share their graduate stories!<\/p><\/div><div>\n<a class=\"uwspbtn uwsp-btn-link-purple\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/05\/Alumni-RS-2024.pdf\" target=\"_self\">View Slideshow <i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"hcard-images hcard-oneimg\"><div class=\"hcard-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/05\/Philosophy9.jpg)\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-block\" id=\"hcard17793022462951118\"><div class=\"uwsp-horiz-card-individual split5050 hcard-imgright\"><div class=\"hcard-infocell\"><h3 class=\"hcard-title\">Graduate School Preparation<\/h3><div class=\"hcard-content\"><p>For those whose career path leads through graduate school, the Philosophy major offers great preparation. Nationwide, students who major in Philosophy score higher on law school entrance exams (LSAT) that almost all other majors. Philosophy majors also have a higher rate of acceptance to medical school than students who studied Biology or Chemistry.<\/p><\/div><div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hcard-mediacell\"><div class=\"hcard-images hcard-oneimg\"><div class=\"hcard-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2021\/04\/warren-dona.jpg)\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"hslider-buttoncontainer\"><button class=\"hsliderBack horizontal-sliderbutton\" aria-label=\"previous slide\">\u276e<\/button><div class=\"single-card-nav\"><\/div><button class=\"hsliderForward horizontal-sliderbutton\" aria-label=\"next slide\">\u276f<\/button><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT TO EXPECT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our program consists of 39 credits;&nbsp;at least 12 credits must be in Philosophy, including one course in Critical Thinking and one course in Ethics, and the remaining credits must be in Religious Studies or relevant interdisciplinary courses.&nbsp;Our classes are small and emphasize discussion, active learning, critical thinking and research skills.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Religious studies majors are able to effectively communicate across cultural divides, they excel in understanding human diversity and they possess strong written and oral communication skills, desired by employers.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Internships and creative experiential learning opportunities give majors hands on experience in professional settings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/spin.uwsp.edu\/philosoph\/home\/\">Philosophy Club of UWSP<\/a> is a student organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining a mature and professional environment for students interested in the field of philosophy and philosophical discussion. Regular activities include student facilitated conversations about controversial and topical issues. Faculty also attend some meetings to share some of their own work with students. The club welcomes all students. For further information, please contact the faculty advisor to the Philosophy Club, <a href=\"mailto:Jason.Zinser@uwsp.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jason Zinser<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Phi Sigma Tau is the international honor society for the study of philosophy. The purpose of Phi Sigma Tau is to cultivate interest in philosophy among students and to celebrate high achievement in the study of philosophy. Phi Sigma Tau publishes a journal, Dialogue, for student contributions in all areas of contemporary philosophical research. For further information, please contact the faculty advisor to Phi Sigma Tau, <a href=\"mailto:Jason.Zinser@uwsp.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jason Zinser<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More student group opportunities can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/spin.uwsp.edu\/\">Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Philosophy students are active in many student organizations, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/spin.uwsp.edu\/sga\/home\/\">Student Government Association<\/a>, and are frequently included in the ranks of the Chancellor&#8217;s Albertson Student Leadership Award winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students with outstanding original work have the opportunity to present their research at the College of Letters and Science <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/college-of-letters-and-science\/undergraduate-research-symposium\/\">Undergraduate Research Symposium<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/sbcb\/school-of-biology-chemistry-and-biochemistry\/undergraduate-research-symposium\/\">,<\/a> held each spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MEET YOUr faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>UW-Stevens Point philosophy faculty ensure students read carefully, think critically, communicate effectively and participate meaningfully in environments characterized by cultural, religious and philosophical diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profiles\/?position_types%5B%5D=Faculty&amp;department_ids%5B%5D=60&amp;search=&amp;page_size=12\">Archives: Faculty \/ Staff Profiles \u2013 Faculty \/ Staff Directory<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsp-directory-profile-list wp-block-uwsp-directory-profile-4 align-center\"\n     style=\"--profile-container-width-desktop: 100%; --profile-item-width: 25%;\">\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-247\"\n     data-profile=\"247\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Alice Keefe\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Keefe-Alice.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Alice Keefe\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Alice Keefe<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Professor of Religious Studies<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>CCC 406<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-346-3205\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Alice Keefe\">715-346-3205<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:alice.keefe@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Alice Keefe\">alice.keefe@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/alice-keefe\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Alice Keefe\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-278\"\n     data-profile=\"278\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Dona Warren\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Warren-Dona-scaled-e1675204635736.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Dona Warren\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Dona Warren<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Professor of Philosophy<\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Critical Thinking Center Head<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>CCC 122<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-346-4115\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Dona Warren\">715-346-4115<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:dona.warren@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Dona Warren\">dona.warren@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/dona-warren\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Dona Warren\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-231\"\n     data-profile=\"231\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Ryan O&#8217;Leary\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Philosophy-Ryan-OLeary.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Ryan O&#8217;Leary<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Lecturer in Religious Studies<\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Academic Success Associate<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>Room 162 &#8211; Student Center, Marshfield campus<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-389-6533\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">715-389-6533<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:roleary@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">roleary@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/ryan-oleary\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Ryan O&#8217;Leary\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"uwsp-directory-profile-282\"\n     data-profile=\"282\"\n     data-profile-name=\"Shanny Luft\"\n     class=\"uwsp-profile-card \"\n     >\n  <div class=\"card-header\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"175\"\n           src=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/78\/2026\/04\/Philosophy-Shanny-Luft.jpg\"\n           class=\"card-img\" alt=\"Profile Photo: Shanny Luft\">\n      <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-body\">\n    <h2>Shanny Luft<\/h2>\n\n        <ul class=\"card-titles\">\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Associate Professor of Religious Studies<\/li>\n              <li class=\"card-title\">Director of General Education<\/li>\n                <\/ul>\n    \n    <div class=\"card-contact\">\n              <div>ALB 206D<\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"tel:715-346-4023\"\n                aria-label=\"Call Shanny Luft\">715-346-4023<\/a><\/div>\n                    <div><a href=\"mailto:sluft@uwsp.edu\"\n                aria-label=\"Email Shanny Luft\">sluft@uwsp.edu<\/a><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"card-footer\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/directory\/profile\/shanny-luft\/\" role=\"button\"\n       title=\"View Shanny Luft\">View profile <i class=\"far fa-arrow-alt-circle-right ms-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Graduates in philosophy with an emphasis in religious studies possess key skills employers seek, including critical thinking, written and oral communication, information literacy, and most importantly, empathetic understanding of human diversity and the ability to communicate effectively across cultural divides.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":127,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"links":[]},"department":[65,155,98],"program_type":[4],"program_category":[51],"program_location":[56],"learning_mode":[53],"area_of_interest":[18],"class_list":["post-126","uwsp_programs","type-uwsp_programs","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","department-cols","department-phil","department-shgs","program_type-bachelor-degree","program_category-degree","program_location-stevens-point","learning_mode-on-campus","area_of_interest-philosophy-and-religious-studies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/uwsp_programs\/126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/uwsp_programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/uwsp_programs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/department?post=126"},{"taxonomy":"program_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_type?post=126"},{"taxonomy":"program_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_category?post=126"},{"taxonomy":"program_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_location?post=126"},{"taxonomy":"learning_mode","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learning_mode?post=126"},{"taxonomy":"area_of_interest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area_of_interest?post=126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}