Department of Philosophy and Religion
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| It is the education
mission of the Philosophy and Religion department to serve (1) the Liberal
Arts core of the general curriculum, (2) the Philosophy major and minor,
and (3) the Religion major, minor, and Christian Ministries Concentration,
The department takes seriously its obligation to introduce students to
philosophy and religion as humanities disciplines. All courses at the 100
and 200 level are open to all students, yet the department also seeks to
offer a balanced array of courses for majors and minors. |
| Dr. Steven Mathonnet-Vanderwell |
| Course offerings
in philosophy introduce students to logic, the history of western philosophy,
a sample of important areas of philosophical investigation, and areas of
applied philosophy. In every philosophy course, the careful analysis and
construction of arguments is emphasized. Reading and discussion of primary
sources is preferred to textbook summaries in most courses. |
| The Philosophy Program
at Central offers both a Major and a Minor in Philosophy. |
| Ask a Professional
Philosopher! If you would like to ask a philosopher at Central College
about the Philosophy Program at Central, about other aspects of the College,
or ABOUT ANY PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION/ISSUE, please feel free to contact
Professor Ray. Just click on his name below. |
| The Revd. Dr. Terence
J. Kleven |
| The Revd. Joel Brummel,
Chaplain of the College |
| The Revd. William
D. Zeilstra |
| Course offerings
in religion cover biblical studies, the history of Christian thought, world
religions, (Judaism, Islam, and South and East Asian religions), and religious
ethics. Nearly all courses contain a strong emphasis on the historical
development of religious ideas and practices. Students are taught to interpret
texts rather than to amass pre-interpreted information. |
| One course in religion
is a core requirement for graduation from Central College. Since the core
religion requirement is connected with the college's identity as a liberal
arts college in the Christian tradition, the department offers a wide variety
of courses which introduce students to the sources and development of Christianity,
with other religious traditions presented on their own terms, not in relation
to Christianity. |
| The Religion Program
offers not only a Religion Major and a Religion Minor but also a Christian
Ministries Concentration within the Religion Major. |
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