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PHREL-BA - Philosophy and Religious Studies (BA)

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PhilosophyReligious StudiesUndergraduate MatriculatedBA - Bachelor of Arts

General

Program Policies

Learning Outcomes

Program Overview

The undergraduate program in Philosophy aims to train students to think clearly and critically about the deepest and broadest questions concerning the fundamental structure of reality and our place in it including how we should act in our lives. With philosophy you gain the tools needed to make arguments and exercise sound judgment about the most fundamental concerns of human life. The program introduces students to the best contemporary theories, and their historical roots, across philosophy including metaphysics and the philosophy of science (the study of the fundamental structure of reality), epistemology (theories of how we know about the world), ethics and political philosophy (how we should act and how society should be organized), and logic (what is correct reasoning). Courses in the major equip students with core skills in critical reading, analytical thinking, sound argumentation, and the clear, well-organized expression of ideas.

Philosophy is an excellent major for those planning a career in law, medicine, business, or the non-profit sector. It provides analytical skills and a breadth of perspective helpful to those called upon to make decisions about their conduct and the welfare of others. Philosophy majors have an excellent admission record to professional and graduate schools.

Undergraduate courses in Religious Studies are designed to engage students existentially and assist them in thinking about intellectual, ethical, and sociopolitical issues in the world’s religions. The department’s faculty seek to provide tools for understanding the complex encounters among religious ideas, practices, and communities, and the past and present cultures that have shaped and been shaped by religion. Courses, therefore, expose students to leading concepts in the field of religious studies such as god(s), sacrifice, ritual, scripture, prophecy, and priesthood; approaches developed over the past century, including the anthropological, historical, psychological, philosophical, and phenomenological, that open religion to closer inspection and analysis; and essential questions, themes, developments, features, and figures in the world’s religious traditions. The department encourages and supports the acquisition of languages needed for engagement with sacred texts and interpretive traditions, as well as study abroad at Stanford’s overseas centers where religions can be observed and experienced in their contemporary contexts.

Preparing for the Major

Students contemplating the Philosophy and Religious Studies major are invited to consult with the Directors of Undergraduate Studies of Philosophy and Religious Studies. The Undergraduate Student Services Officer in Building 70 can also field questions regarding the declaration procedure within the department.

Minimum Units in the Program

60

Minimum University Units

180
Completion requirement
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Complete at least 1 courses in the following Course Sets:
AND

The Writing in the Major (WIM) course for the Philosophy major, PHIL 80: "Mind, Matter, and Meaning", should be taken as soon as possible after the first introductory course in philosophy since it prepares students for the more advanced philosophy courses required for achieving breadth in the discipline.

Complete ALL of the following Courses:

Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Complete at least 1 courses in the following Course Sets:

Must be taken for a letter grade.

Completion requirement
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:

More advanced logic courses may also count for this requirement by petition.

OR
Complete at least 1 courses in the following Course Sets:
AND
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
AND
Complete at least 1 courses in the following Course Sets:
AND
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
OR
Complete at least 1 courses in the following Course Sets:

All courses must be completed for a minimum of 3 units and completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:

Two courses from RELIGST 100-289 in religious thought, broadly construed, chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the Religious Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Complete at least 2 courses in the following Course Sets:
AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:

Writing in the Major (WIM) course for Religious Studies.

No courses may be taken satisfactory/no credit or credit/no credit.

Completion requirement
Complete at least 16 units of philosophy courses altogether for the major. Courses in addition to those required for the core program requirements and breadth requirements must be courses numbered 10 and above except for 196-199.

All courses must be completed for a minimum of 3 units and completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Remaining coursework is chosen according to interest, in consultation with the student's advisor, and with an eye to the Capstone Requirement.

Students should ensure that their total complement of RELIGST courses is not focussed on a single religious tradition.

No more than 5 of these additional units in either department may come from courses numbered below PHIL/RELIGST 100.

Completion requirement
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
Completion requirement

The capstone experience aims to foster the integration of capacities, knowledge, and skills acquired in the student’s coursework for the major and to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize their undergraduate educational careers and to demonstrate their capacity for independent and creative philosophical work.

Combined majors fulfill this requirement by completing the capstone requirement for either the BA in Philosophy or the BA in Religious Studies. Students should discuss this choice with their advisor during their junior year and consult the capstone requirements for Philosophy and Religious Studies majors, respectively.

Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Course Sets:
OR

The capstone requirement in Religious Studies is fulfilled by writing either a senior essay or an honors thesis, which allows students to pursue independent research on a topic of interest under the direction of a Religious Studies faculty member. Two required courses support the successful completion of this senior project. For further information on the capstone, see the Religious Studies website and contact the department’s Student Services Officer.

Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Complete ALL of the following Courses:

Senior Essay: five units, winter quarter, graded N until submission.

Honors Thesis: five to ten units, spread over autumn and winter quarters, graded N until submission.

AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:

Spring quarter only; grading option S/NC

Completion requirement
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
Fulfill ALL of the following requirements:
Students who wish to engage in advanced, independent research, analysis and articulation with faculty guidance that results in an honors thesis must apply for the honors program during Winter Quarter of their junior year. Admission is selective based on demonstrated ability in Philosophy including an average grade of at least A- in a substantial number of Philosophy courses and progress toward satisfying the requirements of the major. The application form for the Honors program is available from the Philosophy and Religious Studies Undergraduate Student Services Officer. For further information about the program contact the Honors Director.
AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:

To be taken Spring Quarter of Junior year.

AND
Complete ALL of the following Courses:

To be taken Autumn and/or Winter quarter of Senior year.

AND
The length of the honors thesis may vary considerable depending on the problem and the approach; usually it falls somewhere between 7,500 and 12,500 words. This essay may use work from previous seminars and courses as a starting point, but it cannot be the same essay that has been used, or is being used, in some other class or seminar. It must be a substantially new and different essay reflecting work in the tutorial(s). A completed essay draft is submitted to the advisor at the end of Winter quarter of Senior year. Any further revisions must be finished by the fifth whole week of Spring quarter, when three copies of the essay are to be given to the Philosophy and Religious Studies Undergraduate Student Services Officer. The honors thesis is graded by the advisor together with a second reader chosen by the advisor in consultation with the student. The student must also pass an oral thesis defense at a meeting with the advisor and second reader. The essay must receive a grade of A- or better for the student to receive honors.
OR
Honors Thesis Research Students applying to fulfill their capstone by writing an Honors Thesis in Religious Studies must begin developing their topic and preparing their application no later than spring quarter of the junior year. The Honors Thesis is a 40-80 page research paper, supported by a mastery of primary and secondary scholarship, that advances a well-reasoned, supportable thesis. Applicants for honors must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 in Religious Studies courses, and at least 3.2 overall, at the time of application in May of junior year. They must also already have demonstrated success in writing research papers. Students meeting these prerequisites are strongly encouraged to enroll in units of RELIGST 199 with a potential thesis advisor (who must be a regular member of the Religious Studies faculty) during spring quarter of the junior year to develop the proposal and gather other materials for the application, which is due on May 31. Students interested in projects involving the use of living human subjects must have completed approved coursework in qualitative research methods by the end of spring quarter and obtain IRB approval for their projects, if needed, before engaging in this research. Students whose applications to write an Honors Thesis have been approved enroll in 3-5 units of RELIGST 297 in autumn and winter of the senior year. They meet with their thesis advisor weekly in autumn and weekly or bi-weekly in winter quarter as they research and draft. A complete rough draft of the paper is due on the first day of spring quarter. Revisions are undertaken in the Senior Colloquium (RELIGST 298), the required capstone course taken in the spring quarter. Honors Theses are due the second Wednesday in May. The Honors Thesis is read and graded by the student’s thesis advisor and another member of the Religious Studies faculty assigned by the DUS. Theses earning a grade of ‘B+’ or above receive honors. For further information, contact the DUS or the faculty director of senior capstone research for Religious Studies.
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