Catalog/Program Information

The Online Electronic Catalog (OEC) is the university's official compilation for all curriculum. The OEC serves as the basis for major, minor, specialization, certificate, and program requirements for the academic year. For current policy and curriculum requirements refer to the CWU online catalog at http://www.cwu.edu/~catalogs. You may choose the catalog that is appropriate for your program requirements, based on the quarter that you were accepted into your program. Some students may be using more than one catalog to meet general education and major requirements. A student should expect to meet the specific requirements of the departments listed in the OEC that is current at the time he or she is accepted by the department into the major or minor program. Graduate students admitted to the master's degree program may use the catalog they are admitted under or the current one. A student should expect to complete general education requirements as listed in the OEC current at the time of first enrollment at either Central or a community college in the state of Washington 9provided he or she transfers directly to CWU from the community college and has not attended another four-year institution.

Philosophy Major

45 credits or 60 credits

Students may choose either a 45 credit major or a 60 credit major. In order to graduate, a student who completes the 45 credit major must also have a minor or second major in another discipline. A student who completes the 60 credit major is not required to have a minor or second major.

Required Course Credits

• PHIL 201, Introduction to Logic (5 credits)
• PHIL 302, Ethics (5 credits)
• PHIL 352, Western Philosophy I (5 credits)
• PHIL 353, Western Philosophy II (5 credits)
• PHIL 354, Western Philosophy III (5 credits)
• PHIL 355, Contemporary Thought (5 credits)
• PHIL 494, Undergraduate Thesis Preparation (2 credits)
• PHIL 495, Undergraduate Thesis (3 credits)
• PHIL 499, Seminar (5 credits)
• Philosophy electives (Select from all other Philosophy courses)
  • 45 credit major (5 credits)
  • 60 credit major (20 credits)

Total: 45/60 credits

Religious Studies Specialization

50 credits or 60 credits

Students majoring in Philosophy may choose a Religious Studies specialization. This specialization amounts to a major in religious studies. It is a path of inquiry into the nature of religion, its pervasive role in human life, and its contribution to understanding human existence and destiny. This specializaton contains a philosophical component focused on religion. In addition, the student is encouraged to augment their study with course work in other disciplines to see the practices and influences of religion in various fields of human culture.

The major provides a liberal education of an interdisciplinary yet focused character. It, as well as the minor, combines well with another major in the humanities or in the social sciences. The student is also prepared for graduate work in the humanities, social sciences, or religious studies itself, as well as for employment in the religious and social science fields.

Students who specialize in Religious Studies may choose either a 50 credit specialization or a 60 credit specialization. In order to graduate, a student who completes the 50 credit specialization must also have a minor or second major in another discipline. A student who completes the 60 credit specialization is not required to have a minor or second major.

Required Course Credits

• RELS 101, Introduction to Religion (5 credits)
• RELS 201, Sacred Books of the World (5 credits)
• PHIL 305, Philosophy of Religion (5 credits)*
  • RELS 351, Religions of China and Japan (5 credits) OR
• RELS 352, Religions of India (5 credits)
• RELS 353, History of Judaism and Islam (5 credits) OR
• RELS 354, Histroy of Christianity (5 credits)
• RELS 488, Senior Seminar (5 credits)
• Select from the following (Cannot be used to fulfill requirements for major or minor in Philosophy): (10 credits)
  • PHIL 310, Philosophies of India (5 credits)*
  • PHIL 351, Medieval Philosophy (5 credits)*
  • PHIL 376, Contemporary Religious Thought (5 credits)*
  • PHIL 445, Chinese Philosophy (5 credits)*
• Electives: (10-20 credits)*
  • 50 credit specialization (10 credits)
  • 60 credit specialization (20 credits)

Total: 50/60 credits

Note: Electives may be selected from any upper division religious studies course or the following philosophy courses (PHIL 310,351,376,378,445). Students may strengthen their preparation by taking additional upper division courses from anthropology, art, English, history, music, philosophy, political science, or sociology.

Note: * Cannot be used to fulfill requirements for the major or minor in Philosophy

Philosophy Minor

20 credits

Required Course Credits

• PHIL 101, Introduction to Philosophy (5 credits)
• PHIL 201, Introduction to Logic (5 credits)
• Philosophy electives (10 credits; Select from Philosophy courses; at least 10 credits at 300 level or above)

Total: 20 credits

Religious Studies Minor

20 credits

Required Course Credits

• RELS 101, Introduction to Religion (5 credits)
• Select from the following (5 credits):
  • RELS 201, Sacred Books of the World (5 credits)
  • PHIL 305, Philosophy of Religion (5 credits)*
  • PHIL 376, Contemporary Religious Though (5 credits)*
• Select from the following (5 credits):
  • RELS 351, Religions of China and Japan(5 credits)
  • RELS 352, Religions of India (5 credits)
  • RELS 353, HIstory of Judaism and Islam (5 credits)
  • RELS 354, History of Christianity (5 credits)
• RELS Upper Division Electives OR *PHIL 305,310,351,376,378,445 (5 credits)

Total: 20 credits

*Cannot be used to fulfill requirements for the major or minor in Philosophy