Philosophy/Religious Studies

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Philosophy

Interim Chair: Dr. Rosemary Bertocci
Program Coordinator: Dr. Timothy Menta

Philosophers study everything. Philosophy is a critical approach to all subjects, a comprehensive vision within which all other subjects are contained. To be critical means to examine carefully and cautiously, willing to change one’s own beliefs. “Philosophy,” from the Greek “philein” and “sophia,” is the “love of wisdom.”

Philosophers examine critically the most important questions in life: Does God exist? What is the meaning of life? What is truth? What is just? What should I think about the “tough” moral questions of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and animal welfare, (to name a few)?

Because we honor Saint Francis of Assisi, these studies emphasize simplicity, not technicalities. We respect faith while probing for understanding. We celebrate reasoning while keeping an honest, humble, and humorous attitude toward the limitations of our minds. We maintain a positive vision of human nature, a profound respect for the background and destiny of each person, and the respect for all living things which Saint Francis of Assisi taught us.

Study of philosophy is valuable in its own right. It is also an excellent preparation for law and theology, as well as for many other graduate school specialties. In fact, philosophy majors score consistently higher than all other humanities majors on GRE, LSAT, and GMAT graduate school entrance tests.

Students who major in philosophy often combine their study with another major in religious studies, psychology, history, political science, or some other field. You can expect philosophy to be a natural second-major, or minor that easily interlocks with any other discipline.

Increasingly, business and industry are seeking thoughtful generalists who can analyze and reason. Philosophy graduates often go on to various graduate programs or enter administrative or management training programs for careers in government or industry. The philosophy program offers credits for career-oriented study in connection with carefully selected internship programs, such as The Washington Center.

Self-Designed Major Requirements

We encourage self-designed programs of study, which combine some of the philosophy major requirements with requirements of another major. These programs lead to a degree such as Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies, Economics and Philosophy, Philosophy and Political Science.

Religious Studies

Interim Chair: Dr. Rosemary Bertocci

Religion is among the oldest academic disciplines pursued by mankind. The Religious Studies courses at Saint Francis University aim to provide each student the opportunity to explore the universal dimension of religious existence on the world and to study the Catholic-Christian faith as a particular religious commitment which empowers the believer to participate more fully in contemporary society, understanding that, for human beings, the world is a place where God is revealed.

General degree requirements for all students are six credits in Religious Studies distributed as follows: three credits from Religious Studies 205; three credits from any 300- or 400-level course.

Except by permission of the Philosophy/Religious Studies Department chair, Religious Studies 205 - Faith and Franciscanism, a general education requirement, cannot be satisfied by a transfer course or replaced by another course in the Religious Studies curriculum. A student must have sophomore standing to register for Religious Studies 205. To enroll in all Religious Studies courses numbered above the 200 level, students must have attained successful completion of Religious Studies 205 and junior or senior standing.

Special Features

Honors — National Honor Society for Theology/Religious Studies, Theta Alpha Kappa (Alpha Gamma chapter), ACHS member.

Christian Service — a practicum in Religious Studies which gives students an opportunity for service in neighboring agencies or in summer volunteer work.

Field Trips and Intercollegiate Seminars with faculty members and other students.

Justice & Peace Center — special association with the Dorothy Day Center for Justice and Peace is an added dimension for student Christian life and practice.

Independent Study and Self-Designed Double Majors — opportunities to combine career objectives in Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Education, etc. with Christian values and goals. Such combined study makes one especially attractive to future employers.

International Study Program in Mexico — opportunities to study religion in Mexico, do Christian service, and work with Mexican orphans.

Publications — opportunity for student writing of excellent quality to be published in the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa, published nationally twice each year.

Students who complete the program studies successfully will have many opportunities for varied and satisfying employment. Among some fields where a B.A. in Religious Studies is highly prized and practical are: religious education, family ministry, religion and law, health care services, youth ministry, pastoral counseling, social service agencies, political networks, ecological services, rehabilitation programs, hospice centers, and community development programs.

Institute for Ethics

Director: Dr. Michael McKale

Organizations play an increasingly important role in shaping the context of people’s lives throughout the country and the world. Everyone concerned about the quality of human life must take seriously the impact of these organizations; both the contributions they make and the problems they present.

Schools, churches, businesses, hospitals, and a wide variety of other organizations have all recognized the growing demand for moral accountability. Saint Francis University proposes to raise consciousness about ethical concerns within our local communities and to work with policy makers of various organizations who are concerned about corporate responsibility and ethics.

Recognizing the Judeo-Christian culture in which we live, realizing that work in corporate ethics must operate ecumenically, and convinced of the contemporary relevance of Franciscan values, Saint Francis college is prepared to accept a leadership role in this effort by supporting the work of the Institute for Ethics.

The mission and purpose of the Institute for Ethics is to contribute to the community’s understanding of contemporary ethical issues facing various types of institutions and professions. The Institute will focus on ethics in:

The Saint Francis University Institute for Ethics is funded by private contributions.

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