The Department of Theology and Global Church Ministries offers a concentration and a minor in Philosophy. These programs prepare students for graduate study and provide critical tools for a variety of academic endeavors.
For the concentration and minor in Philosophy, the department specifies how the Core Curriculum requirements shall be completed. The specific requirements are listed in an advising form available in the Department office. Students are advised to begin as early as possible to work out an individual program in consultation with an advisor in the Bible and Theology Department.
The Philosophy concentration consists of 24 credits. The concentration includes the following courses:
- PHIL 110 or 111
- PHIL 115
- PHIL 330 and 337
- 12 elective credits with PHIL prefixes
The Philosophy minor consists of 18 credits. The minor includes the following courses:
- PHIL 110 or 111
- PHIL 115
- At least two courses from PHIL 335, 336, or 337
- 9 elective credits with PHIL prefixes
Philosophy Courses
Note: All courses above 300 require ENGL 111.
PHIL 110: Introduction to Critical Reasoning (3 cr.) Explores informal and inductive reasoning. Topics include recognizing and evaluating arguments and fallacies in ordinary, literary, and scientific contexts. Meets Core Curriculum Humanities Option.
PHIL 111: Introduction to Deductive Logic (3 cr.) Explains principles of correct thinking, focusing on deductive reasoning. Topics include symbolic logic, proofs of validity, and beginning predicate logic.
PHIL 115: Introduction of Philosophy (3 cr.) Introduces the nature, problems, methods, concepts, and divisions of philosophy. Topics include engaging key philosophical questions from a Christian perspective. Meets Core Curriculum Humanities Option.
PHIL 118: Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.) Introduces moral reasoning, key ethical systems, and a biblical ethical framework with a view to addressing the major moral issues in contemporary society.
PHIL 230: History and Philosophy of Science (3 cr.) Explores the history and philosophy of science and their effects on the actual practice of science today. Topics include an explanation of the logic and operation of science. Required by the State of Missouri for secondary science teacher certification. May be used to meet the Core Curriculum options. Cross-listed as GSCI 230.
PHIL 290/490: Readings in Philosophy (1-3 cr.) These courses are available as needed. Topics include individualized program of reading and writing in philosophy under direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite: PHIL 115 and permission of the department chair, academic advisor, and supervising professor.
PHIL 330 Ancient & Medieval Philosophy (3 cr.) A strategic survey of western philosophy from the Pre-socratics through the 16th century Scholastics. Special attention will be given to Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Boethius, Anselm and Aquinas. Prerequisite: three (3) credits of philosophy.
PHIL 334: Political Philosophy (3 cr.) Examines foundational principles of Western political and social philosophy from Augustine to the present. Topics include philosophers such as Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx. Cross-listed with GOVT 334.
PHIL 337: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (3 cr.) Explores western philosophy from Descartes through Plantinga. Topics include important issues giving rise to the development of rationalism, empiricism, existentialism, postmodernism, and other important schools of philosophy. Meets Core Curriculum Humanities Option.
PHIL 365: Aesthetics (3 cr.) Explores the nature of art and beauty, including that of the natural world. Topics include key figures in the history of philosophy; theories regarding the nature of beauty, art, taste, and aesthetic experience; and Christian apologetic value of art and beauty. Meets Core Curriculum Artistic Expression Option.
PHIL 415: Metaphysics and Epistemology (3 cr.) Explores key topics and problems in metaphysics. Topics include general ontology- mind-body problem, and free will; epistemology- nature of knowledge, issues of foundationalism and coherentism, and skepticism.
PHIL 433: Philosophy of Religion and Apologetics (3 cr.) Examines topics in the philosophy of religion. Topics include relation of faith to reason, arguments for God’s existence, problem of evil, nature of miracles, historicity of the resurrection, challenge of religious pluralism, and coherence of Christian theism and its effective communication. Prerequisite: PHIL 115.
PHIL 470-479: Special Topics in Philosophy (3 cr.) These courses are available as needed. Topics include philosophical methodology, history, axiology, and special area studies. Course title is listed on the transcript. Prerequisite: Junior status and permission of professor
PHIL 496: Philosophy Seminar (1-3 cr.) This course is available as needed. Prerequisite: Permission of professor.