philosophy professor teaching class lecture

Philosophy and Religious Studies (B.A.)

Examine life’s most profound questions and develop essential skills that make you stand out in the job market.

Philosophy and religious study offers a compelling look at fundamental questions of life, truth, value and meaning. A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from UND broadens your perspective and prepares you to contribute to the global discussion.

Program Snapshot
Program type:
Major
Format:
On-campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120 (major), 21 (minor)

Why Study Philosophy and Religious Studies at UND?

Studying philosophy and religion asks you to confront life's most profound questions — such as the meaning of life, the significance of truth and what it means to live ethically. A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from UND prepares you to grapple with thorny problems, think for yourself and create the career of your dreams.

The Philosophy and Religious Studies department offers several options:

Major in Philosophy and Religious Studies

  • Philosophy Concentration
  • Pre-Law Concentration

Minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies

  • Philosophy Concentration
  • Religious Studies Concentration

Each option features small classes and an active learning environment where your voice will be heard. Whichever track you choose, you'll learn to think for yourself, craft a compelling argument and analyze information.

Philosophy is also an excellent double major. Philosophy works with everything, teaching you how to learn, think critically and excel in any career.

Law (Accelerated B.A./J.D.) Program

Shave off a year of law school while earning your bachelor's in Philosophy and Religious Studies. With the Law (Accelerated Bachelor's/J.D.) program you can double count credits your fourth year to go towards beginning coursework for a law degree.

For more information, contact Philosophy Pre-Law Coordinator: Beth Valentine

Leaders that Do

Students at UND take chances, seek challenges and become leaders that do.

Program Highlights

  • Conduct high-level research in collaboration with faculty

  • Celebrate your academic achievements by participating in the Phi Sigma Tau and Theta Alpha Kappa honor societies

Outcomes

 
1st
Earning power of philosophy and religious studies majors compared to majors in other humanities*
83%
Philosophy and religious studies majors applying to law school who are accepted

 

*Payscale.com

 

Philosophy and Religious Studies majors are in great demand in the job market because they've learned the skills that are most important in any profession: skills like critical reasoning, persuasive writing, clear communication and logical thinking.

In fact, a recent study by Payscale.com found that philosophy and religious studies majors earn more than students in any other humanities field. A degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies can take you anywhere, including:

  • Business
  • Communications
  • Higher education
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Ministry
  • Public policy work
  • Research
  • Social work
  • Teaching

Courses You Could Take

 

PHIL 253. Environmental Ethics. 3 Credits.

The course centers on the way that ethics helps us to understand environmental issues. We examine a broad cross-section of environmental issues from a variety of traditional and contemporary ethical frameworks. Issues include sustainability, animal rights, energy consumption, habitat loss, biodiversity, land conservation, and pollution. Class members will explore such issues through case studies in a context of relevant ethical history and theory. Offered Fall every 3 years.

PHIL 360. Feminist Philosophy. 3 Credits.

This course will investigate theories and major ideas of feminist philosophers. The course may be approached as an historical examination of the different "waves" of feminism, or topically, by considering themes like: women and the body, the feminine and the spirit, philosophy of sex/gender, feminist art, postmodern feminism, etc. Central figures in feminist philosophy who may be studied include: Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Simone de Beauvoir, Susan Bordo, Catharine MacKinnon, Luce Irigaray, Audre Lorde, Judith Butler, Donna Haraway, Sara Ahmed, and Chandra Talpade Mohanty. S, even years.

PHIL 451. Current Topics in Political Philosophy. 3 Credits.

This course provides an in-depth study of the nature of citizenship, with special emphasis on how citizens deliberate collectively and individually. It focuses on questions of rationality, political activism, political education, and cosmopolitanism. Students will read classic and contemporary thinkers, and primary and secondary sources. Repeatable to 6 credits. On demand.

PHIL 355. Social and Political Philosophy. 3 Credits.

This course examines core issues in society and governance: the nature of justice, the limits of freedom, the role of religion, family and pluralism in the modern community, are a few examples of possible topics. Students in the course may examine both classical and contemporary theories of political society. Offered Fall every 3 years (2008).

PHIL 371. Philosophy of Law. 3 Credits.

An investigation of the nature of both law and legal reasoning. Study of the nature of law focuses on theories of natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism. Legal reasoning concerns justified interpretation of precedent and statute within the common law tradition. Additional topics dealt with as time allows, encompass such issues as the justification of punishment and enforcement of morality. S, even years.

PHIL 310. Philosophy of Art, Literature, & Film. 3 Credits.

This course will investigate the philosophical questions pertaining to artistic expression (aesthetics), including the visual arts (e.g., painting, sculpture, and film), literature, and music. Questions that may be explored include: whether definitions of art or beauty are possible; what the relationship between form and substance is in art; whether or not art should be valued as a product or process; how have new technologies affected art and its reception in society; and what role, if any, does art play in politics. This course will utilize representative texts from the history of philosophy, as well as a variety of examples from the arts. The course is repeatable when the course topic is different. Repeatable to 6 credits. S, even years.

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

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