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Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies
Main Departmental Office
Terrill Hall, 330
P.O. Box 13526
Denton, TX 76203-6526
(817) 565-2266
Eugene C. Hargrove, Chair
George A. James, Undergraduate Adviser
Terrill Hall, 334
(817) 565-4791
Faculty
Professors Barnhart, Bell, Gunter, Oelschlaeger, Owsley. Associate Professors Callicott, Hargrove, James, Yaffe.
Introduction
The study of philosophy has always been an important component of higher learning. Indeed, in the early Greek proto-universities, the Academy of Plato and the Lyceum of Aristotle, philosophy was the very foundation of all study. In the history of the European universities, from the 13th century to the present, philosophy has retained a significant place in the curriculum, even when challenged by advocates of religion, belles lettres, science or business. It has been studied as an end in itself, in its relation to other areas and as a preparation for studies in law, theology and medicine.
At the undergraduate level, the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies provides a traditional program emphasizing the history of philosophy. It seeks to teach the student methods of thinking about the comprehensive themes of truth, beauty, goodness and wisdom, conclusions concerning which can be used in the classroom as well as in life situations. In addition, it provides an interdisciplinary minor in religion studies for students interested in seminary study or graduate studies in religion. The major emphases of the department at the graduate level are research and instruction in environmental ethics and environmental philosophy.
Programs of Study
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in philosophy requires a minimum of 128 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
Supplemental Information for BA with a Major in Philosophy
The major requires completion of 30 hours in philosophy composed of a 15-hour core (PHIL 2050 or 3300, 3310, 3330, 3110 or 4400, and 3250 or 3260 or 4600) and an additional 12 hours of philosophy electives to be selected with and approved by the undergraduate adviser, and a Capstone Seminar (PHIL 4970) to be taken in the senior year.
Minor in Philosophy
A minor in philosophy consists of 18 semester hours, including 6 advanced hours to be approved by the undergraduate adviser.
Interdisciplinary Minor in Religion Studies
A minor in religion studies consists of 18 semester hours from the departments of philosophy and religion studies, anthropology, history or English. Twelve hours must be selected from an approved list of courses, including at least one course in western religion and one course in eastern or comparative religion. The additional 6 hours are to be selected with and approved by the religion studies adviser.
The department offers a Master of Arts with a major in philosophy and a concentration in environmental ethics. A non-thesis option is available for students pursuing non-academic environmental career opportunities. Philosophy department faculty members participate in the Faculty of Environmental Ethics, a universitywide group within the Center for Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies. A description of graduate courses may be found in the Graduate Catalog.
The Center for Environmental Philosophy
Eugene C. Hargrove, Director
The Center for Environmental Philosophy encourages and supports workshops, conferences and other special projects, including postdoctoral research in the field of environmental ethics. Activities currently include the publication of Environmental Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Journal Dedicated to the Philosophical Aspects of Environmental Problems, which is now in its 18th year of publication; Environmental Ethics Books, a reprint series of important books dealing with environmental ethics and philosophy; and annual workshops on college and university curriculum development, environmental journalism, ecotheology, and nature interpretation. National research conferences focusing on selected topics in environmental ethics are held on an irregular basis.
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