2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies
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Main Departmental Office
Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building, Room 225
Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #310920
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2266
Fax: 940-565-4448
E-mail: philosophy@unt.edu
Web site: www.phil.unt.edu
Dale A. Wilkerson, Undergraduate Advisor
E-mail: dale.wilkerson@unt.edu
Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building, Room 320C
940-565-2256
Michael Thompson, Undergraduate Advisor
E-mail: michael.thompson@unt.edu
Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building, Room 320E
Patricia Glazebrook, Chair
Faculty
The great virtue of philosophy is that it teaches not what to think, but how to think. It is the study of meaning, of the principles underlying conduct, thought and knowledge. The skills it hones are the ability to analyze, to question orthodoxies and to express things clearly. However arcane some philosophical texts may be … the ability to formulate questions and follow arguments is the essence of education…. Philosophy is, in commercial jargon, the ultimate “transferable work skill.”
— The Times, London, August 15, 1998
The study of philosophy has always been an important part of higher education. 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 graduate and professional schools.
Philosophy develops analytic skills and problem-solving abilities that are extremely useful in almost any academic or scientific field and in a variety of professional careers, such as journalism, business, law, medicine and government. It provides insight into our cultural heritage, through courses in the history of philosophy and comparative philosophy, and critical insight into many other fields in the humanities and the sciences, through such courses as philosophy of science, social-political philosophy, epistemology and logic. Philosophy seeks to teach the student methods of thinking about the timeless themes of truth, beauty, goodness and wisdom.
The study of religions is also an important part of higher education. Religions are an inescapable part of our history, social life, politics, economy, foreign policy and domestic interactions. Religious studies exposes students to the beliefs, practices and histories of various religious traditions and analyzes their significance to societies. Religious studies is an interdisciplinary major. Courses are available in philosophy, history, anthropology, sociology, political science and art history.
The study of religions helps students engage in big questions about the natural and social worlds, think and write critically, and apply disciplinary knowledge to local and global issues. This major equips students for employment in the public, private and nonprofit sectors including medicine, law, business, publishing, social service and teaching. Religious studies is also excellent preparation for graduate and professional schools.
Scholarships and financial aid
The John C. Creuzot Scholarship provides $500 per semester ($1,000 annually) to one undergraduate philosophy major. The award continues from semester to semester as long as the recipient makes satisfactory progress toward the degree. Upon the scholarship holder’s graduation, a new recipient is selected. To be eligible the student must be a philosophy major at the University of North Texas, maintain full-time enrollment at the university unless he or she has fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full time remaining in the program, have a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of course work at the University of North Texas, and a minimum of 9 semester credit hours in philosophy in the Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, 6 of which should be upper level.
A $500 award is given to the John Kimmey Memorial Scholar in the spring semester. The scholar is selected by the department and is the honoree at the Honors Day convocation. ProgramsMajorsMinorsCoursesPhilosophy
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