Philosophy and Religion

Web Site: http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/dept-pages/philosreligion/philreli.html

Major requirements can be completed only through daytime attendance.

Department of Philosophy and Religion

Chairperson: Stuart Z. Charmé

Professor:

Stuart Z. Charmé, B.A., Columbia; M.A., Ph.D., Chicago (Religion)

Associate Professors:

Clifford William Brown, A.B., A.M., Pennsylvania; Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College (Philosophy)

Charles Jarrett, B.A., Florida; M.A., Ph.D., California (Berkeley) (Philosophy)

John Wall, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Chicago (Religion)

Assistant Professor:

Shin-yi Chao, B.A., Fu-jen (Taiwan); M.A., California (Berkeley); Ph.D., British Columbia (Religion)


The study of philosophy and religion offers a vital contribution to a humanistic education. Both fields deal with various ways in which human beings have tried to understand and give expression to the nature and meaning of reality, knowledge, the self, values, and the purpose of human life.

Course work in philosophy is planned to acquaint the student with the historical and systematic interrelations of the significant philosophic concepts in Western thought and to provide training in the techniques proper to the subject. Stress is placed on philosophy as an activity, and the department aims to provide training sufficiently broad in scope and technical in procedure to equip the student with both a knowledge of important philosophical issues and the basis for developing an analytical judgment that is both critical and productive.

Course work in religion explores the incredible diversity and pervasiveness of religious life, religious experience, and religious thought throughout human history. A variety of methodological approaches is employed to familiarize students with literary, historical, philosophical, phenomenological, and social-scientific forms of analysis.

Majoring in the Department of Philosophy and Religion provides excellent preparation for graduate study in philosophy or religious studies. Majors and minors in the department also may go on to a wide variety of careers in education, law, public policy, social work, ministry, business, and other fields.