Religion and Philosophy, B.A.

(SLO) Expected Outcomes:

Graduates of the department of Religion and Philosophy will demonstrate

1. Knowledge of critical skills for the study of religion, philosophy, and religious traditions, including a) an understanding of the major methods and interpretive theories in the field of biblical studies, b) the ability to read and discuss complex philosophical and religious texts from sources across a range of historical periods and from a variety of traditions, and c) proficiency in the conventions of academic written and oral forms, including developing high-quality written research products.
2. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability a) to engage with cultural diversity when analyzing the interaction of religious and philosophical views with institutions and cultures in which the traditions find themselves; b) to discern accurate and credible knowledge about diverse religious traditions and expressions; c) to thoughtfully consider ethical problems and propose a defendable moral position, and d) to distinguish confessional or prescriptive statements about religion from descriptive or analytical statements.