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2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Religious Studies & Philosophy: Religious Studies Concentration, B.A.
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Religious Studies & Philosophy (RS/PL)
The historic tradition of the liberal arts is to enrich learners with a heightened sense of responsibility and autonomy. The integrative Religious Studies & Philosophy major trains students to be critical and independent in their thinking as well as centered on larger human purposes for which we work and interact with others. In an age overwhelmingly centered on technological progress, efficient and convenient outcomes, and material satisfaction of desires, focusing on the individual’s spiritual and intellectual life provides a foundation and meaningful context for your life in our global community.
While the predominant orientation of this program is towards enriching your sense of purpose and commitment to values of social justice, care for others, and dignity for all, we also realize your need to enter the workplace with skills and practices which facilitate successful career choices. In today’s job market, employers find a host of qualified candidates with training suited to complete tasks and activities. However, employers increasingly seek candidates with the following skills: critical thinking, analytic writing, cultural understanding and sensitivity, communicative empathy and intellectual initiative. Our program focuses upon these marketable skills.
Finally, our integrated major is just that - a mutually-enriching and critical dialogue between two disciplines that are central to the liberal arts at a Catholic institution. In keeping with the tradition of such institutions, faith and reason are taken as valued standpoints from which to approach academic work and community life. Thus, the ordering signifies neither hierarchy nor dependency of one discipline upon the other. Rather, students will grapple with problems, themes and questions from shared and distinctive standpoints.
Major Requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Religious Studies & Philosophy must complete all the Core Curriculum degree requirements as stated in the University catalog. Majors must receive a grade of “C” or higher in all courses taken.
All majors take a selection of core courses as well as self-selected courses within one’s chosen area of concentration of either Philosophy or Religious Studies. All majors also complete an interdisciplinary and integrated senior capstone course, then choose one of two options: Option I is an international/intercultural experience followed by a public presentation; Option II is writing a senior thesis and providing a public, oral defense of that thesis.
Concentration (15 hours):
For the major concentration, students must take the major core requirements outlined above along with 15 additional credit hours in the chosen area of concentration. Nine credit hours of the area of concentration must be at the 300 or 400 level in that area or in other approved courses.
Option I - International/Intercultural Experience:
Working with one’s major advisor, students who choose the international/intercultural experience may choose one of the following options: an experience which has an international and/ or intercultural travel component, a service or service-learning opportunity within the Kansas City region or within the broader U.S., or an intercultural practicum or experience designed in conjunction with your major advisor. Within this experiential option, students work with their major advisor to design a public presentation component that draws together their academic studies with this experience.
Option II - Thesis and Oral Defense:
Students who choose the thesis/defense option must complete this work in their Senior year. Working in conjunction with a faculty member in the discipline of concentration, students will write a twenty-five to thirty page thesis, utilizing extensive research, critical analysis and argumentation. Weeks before graduation, students will give a public talk, based upon the paper, and answer critical questions from both the thesis committee and the general audience.
Outcomes
In addition to the general degree requirements stated earlier in this catalog, majors will be expected to meet the following program outcomes:
Outcome 1.
Develop a global understanding of relationships among reasoned inquiry, religious faiths and human values. (PL 111 , PL 112 , PL 113 , RS 111 , RS 117 , PL 221 , RS 225 , RS 231 , RS 251 , RS 252 , PL 255 )
Outcome 2.
Analyze and evaluate significant philosophies, religious ideas or discourses in order to systematically and critically articulate one’s own spiritual, intellectual and/or ethical commitments. (PL 111 , PL 112 , PL 113 , RS 111 , PL 326 /WS 326 , PL 339 , PL 255 , RS 311 /IS 311 , PL 355 )
Outcome 3.
Explore the distinctiveness of rational inquiry as a unique form of human understanding, motivation and justification. (PL 111 , PL 112 , PL 113 , RS 111 , PL 221 , PL 255 , PL 311 , PL 355 )
Outcome 4.
Investigate historical, socio-cultural and political dimensions of diverse religious traditions and practices (RS 111 , RS 117 , PL 221 , RS 233 , RS 319 /IS 319 /WS 319 )
Outcome 5.
Refine your understanding, interpretations and critical perspectives through writing, speaking and collaborative work. (all PL/RS courses)
Assessment
The outcomes are assessed through oral presentations, examinations, experiential learning and extensive writing. In the final year of study, students will synthesize and utilize their learned skills of cultural understanding, critical thinking and intellectual initiative through critical, independent research, writing and presentation within the Senior Seminar as well as either within the thesis or experiential option.
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