Philosophy and Religion

Within the Philosophy and Religion program you can pursue a B.A. degree in Philosophy and Religion, Philosophy Legal Studies, or Philosophy Graduate Studies. A minor in Philosophy and Religion is also available.


About the Program

The Philosophy and Religion (PHIL) program draws on traditions of thought from around the world. Its strength lies in its ability to bring diverse traditions to bear on philosophical and religious questions as well as contemporary ethical, social, and political issues. The program offers courses that are designed to help students think critically about fundamental values and their application to society. Program courses are open to students of any major as well as those who want to make Philosophy and Religion their major or minor. The program also offers a Legal Studies concentration for Philosophy majors, and a concentration for majors interested in and dedicated to pursuing their graduate work in philosophy.

Program Chair

Jongbok Yi

Jongbok Yi
Associate Professor of Asian Philosophy
Jongbok.Yi@stockton.edu
609-626-3490 K-127

The study of Philosophy and Religion is the ability to critically engage ideas, theories, faiths, and forms of life so that key values, histories, and intellectual processes may be understood and reflected upon systematically. Philosophy and Religion represents key disciplines where the search for values, rituals, logic, and interpretation emerge, and where their application to lives have found a focus on the questions of the human quest for meaning and structure.

The Philosophy and Religion program at Stockton University is a place to come for an excellent education owing to the unique, dynamic, and diverse areas of specialty and experiences that its members create. The courses offered by program members, both in Philosophy and Religion and in General Studies, provide inspiring opportunities for undergraduates who want to acquire a broad humanistic background, who wish to pursue further study in philosophy and religion, o r who are heading toward other professional careers.

Curriculum

The Philosophy and Religion program offers courses beginning at the introductory level on the leading ideas, values, techniques, and history of philosophy and religion, as well as intermediate and upper-level courses of a more intense nature. Each faculty member also offers a Senior Seminar (the capstone course) as well as specialty courses and independent studies.The program offers a major and a minor in Philosophy and Religion and is also designed to serve non-majors. The following is a current list of courses offered, although not necessarily every semester.

To view the curriculum, you’ll use the web program, Degree Works. This program is accessible even if you are not currently a student with Stockton University.

Core Requirements: 32 credits

Four Required Courses:

4 credits per course (16 credits total)

  • PHIL 1101 - Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 3607 - History of Modern Philosophy I or
    PHIL 3619 - History of Modern Philosophy II
  • 3000-4000 level PHIL course
  • PHIL 4600 - Senior Seminar


One course in Asian philosophy

4 credits

  • PHIL 1200 Intro to Buddhism
  • PHIL 1201 Intro to Asian Philosophy
  • PHIL 2100 Buddhist Philosophy
  • PHIL 2121 Chinese Philosophy
  • PHIL 2126 Tibetan Buddhism
  • PHIL 2127 Zen Buddhism
  • PHIL 2123 Philosophy of Yoga
  • PHIL 3112 Philosophy East and West

One of the following courses in logic:

4 credits

  • PHIL 1203 Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 1204 Symbolic Logic


One of the following courses in Ethics:

4 credits

  • PHIL 2112 Ethics: Theory and Practice
  • PHIL 3100 Moral Theory
  • PHIL 2211 Social and Political Philosophy


One course in religion

4 credits

  • PHIL 1310 History of Early Christianity
  • PHIL 2224 The Search for a God Language
  • PHIL 2402 Judaism, Christianity, Islam
  • PHIL 2403 History of Christian Thought I
  • PHIL 2404 History of Christian Thought II
  • PHIL 2405 Eastern Christianity
  • PHIL 2406 Modern Issues in Religious Studies
  • PHIL 2407 Philosophy of Religion

Cognates: 16-32 credits

The remaining 16–32 credits must be taken in cognate courses in disciplines related to philosophy and religion: DANC, MUSC, THTR, ARTV, COMM, HIST, LANG, LITT, PHIL.

25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A. degree), the following courses are required.

General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
     *Must be taken in junior or senior year

NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.

At-some-distance electives are courses that are unrelated to your major. 32 credits are required.
These courses are listed as attributes and should be completed within the 128 credits needed to graduate.

Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)

Values Ethics (V)
International/Multicultural (I)
All matriculated students must earn a C or better in 4 writing-designated courses. Two W1 courses may be transferred.

1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)

1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level

NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.

All matriculated students must pass three quantitative-reasoning-designated courses. Two Q1 courses may be transferred.

1 Q1 course (any level)

1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)

1 Q2 course (any level)

NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University. 

All matriculated students must pass two Race and Racism-designated courses. A minimum grade of C is required for the R1 course; a minimum grade of D is required for any R2 course taken to fulfill this requirement. At least one of the two required courses must be taken at Stockton University.

1 R1 course (any level)

1 R1 or R2 course (any level)

Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met” (Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center for Academic Advising on a regular basis.

All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A.

For more information on the Philosophy and Religion program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.

Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.

Core Requirements: 48 credits

Four Required Courses:

4 credits per course (28 credits total)

  • PHIL 1101 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 1401 Problem Solving and the Law
  • PHIL 1203 Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 1204 Symbolic Logic
  • PHIL 3607 History of Modern Philosophy I or
    PHIL 3619 History of Modern Philosophy II
  • 3000-4000 level PHIL course
  • PHIL 4600 Senior Seminar

 

Select four courses from the following:

4 credits per course (12 credits total)

  • PHI 2100 African-American Philosophy
  • PHIL 2109 Ancient Greek Philosophy
  • PHIL 2211 Social and Political Philosophy
  • PHIL 2368 Church and State in America
  • PHIL 3100 Moral Theory
  • PHIL 3617 Critical Social Theory

 

Select two courses from the following:

4 credits per course (8 credits total)

  • PHIL 1200 Introduction to Buddhism
  • PHIL 2121 Chinese Philosophy
  • PHIL 2100 Buddhist Philosophy
  • PHIL 2112 Ethics: Theory and Practice
  • PHIL 2124 Medieval Philosophy
  • PHIL 2126 Tibetan Buddhism
  • PHIL 2127 Zen Buddhism

Select one course from the following:

4 credits

  • PHIL 1200 Intro to Buddhism
  • PHIL 1201 Intro to Asian Philosophy
  • PHIL 2100 Buddhist Philosophy
  • PHIL 2121 Chinese Philosophy
  • PHIL 2123 Philosophy of Yoga
  • PHIL 2126 Tibetan Buddhism
  • PHIL 2127 Zen Buddhism
  • PHIL 3112 Philosophy East and West
    or Any Asian Philosophy course

 

Select two course independent study courses:

4 credits per course (8 credits total)

  • PHIL Independent Study (in figure or theme of interest)
  • PHIL Independent Study (in figure or theme of interest)

NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.

Choose from among the following:

PLAW 2120 Business Law I

CRIM 1100 Intro to the Criminal Justice System or
PLAW 3620 Education Law or
POLS 3228 Public Education & the Law or
CRIM 3104 Criminal Law

POLS 2211 Law & the Legislative Process or
CRIM 2101 Criminal Procedure: Investigations

POLS 3123 Judicial Process or
POLS 2221 Law and Legal Process or
CRIM 3747 Evidence

POLS 3221 Constitutional Law or
POLS 3222 Women and the Law or
POLS 3621 Advanced Constitutional Litigation

POLS 3225 Civil Liberties

PLAW 4100 Computer Ethics and Law

GAH 2159 Law, Philosophy and Film

NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.

25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A. degree), the following courses are required.

General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
     *Must be taken in junior or senior year

NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.

At-some-distance electives are courses that are unrelated to your major. 32 credits are required.
These courses are listed as attributes and should be completed within the 128 credits needed to graduate.

Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)

Values Ethics (V)
International/Multicultural (I)
All matriculated students must earn a C or better in 4 writing-designated courses. Two W1 courses may be transferred.

1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)

1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level

NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.

All matriculated students must pass three quantitative-reasoning-designated courses. Two Q1 courses may be transferred.

1 Q1 course (any level)

1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)

1 Q2 course (any level)

NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University. 

All matriculated students must pass two Race and Racism-designated courses. A minimum grade of C is required for the R1 course; a minimum grade of D is required for any R2 course taken to fulfill this requirement. At least one of the two required courses must be taken at Stockton University.

1 R1 course (any level)

1 R1 or R2 course (any level)

Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met” (Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center for Academic Advising on a regular basis.

All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A.

For more information on the Philosophy and Religion program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.

Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.

Core Requirements: 48 credits

Select three courses from the following:

4 credits per course (8 credits total)

  • PHIL 3607 History of Modern Philosophy I or
    PHIL 3619 History of Modern Philosophy II
  • 3000-4000 PHIL course
  • PHIL 4600 Senior Seminar

 

Select two courses from the following:

4 credits per course (8 credits total)

  • PHIL 1101 Intro to Philosophy
  • PHIL 1203 Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 1204 Symbolic Logic

 

Select one courses from the following:

4 credits

  • PHIL 1402 Mysticism and Philosophy
  • PHIL 2118 Pragmatism
  • PHIL 2222 Renaissance Philosophy in Italy
  • PHIL 2224 The Search for a God Language
  • PHIL 2368 Church and State in America
  • PHIL 3116 Philosophies of Art
  • PHIL 3613 Feminist Philosophies
  • PHIL 3617 Critical Social Theory

Select one course from the following:

4 credits

  • PHIL 2211 Social and Political Philosophy
  • PHIL 3100 Moral Theory

 

Select one course from the following:

4 credits

  • PHIL 1200 Intro to Buddhism
  • PHIL 1201 Intro to Asian Philosophy
  • PHIL 2100 Buddhist Philosophy
  • PHIL 2121 Chinese Philosophy
  • PHIL 2123 Philosophy of Yoga
  • PHIL 2126 Tibetan Buddhism
  • PHIL 2127 Zen Buddhism
  • PHIL 3112 Philosophy East and West or
    Any Asian Philosophy course

 

Select two course independent study courses:

4 credits per course (8 credits total)

  • PHIL Independent Study (in figure or theme of interest)
  • PHIL Independent Study (in figure or theme of interest)

NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.

Language Study Component:
Proficiency in one the following languages—Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, or German—through the Intermediate II level. In most cases this will require 16 credit hours of a foreign language (two Beginning courses and two Intermediate courses).

Students who enter Stockton with foreign language competency should consult with their preceptor or the Program Chair regarding this requirement.

NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.

25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A. degree), the following courses are required.

General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
     *Must be taken in junior or senior year

NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.

At-some-distance electives are courses that are unrelated to your major. 32 credits are required.
These courses are listed as attributes and should be completed within the 128 credits needed to graduate.

Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)

Values Ethics (V)
International/Multicultural (I)
All matriculated students must earn a C or better in 4 writing-designated courses. Two W1 courses may be transferred.

1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)

1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level

NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.

All matriculated students must pass three quantitative-reasoning-designated courses. Two Q1 courses may be transferred.

1 Q1 course (any level)

1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)

1 Q2 course (any level)

NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University. 

All matriculated students must pass two Race and Racism-designated courses. A minimum grade of C is required for the R1 course; a minimum grade of D is required for any R2 course taken to fulfill this requirement. At least one of the two required courses must be taken at Stockton University.

1 R1 course (any level)

1 R1 or R2 course (any level)

Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met” (Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center for Academic Advising on a regular basis.

All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A.

For more information on the Philosophy and Religion program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.

Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.

Philosophy and Religion Minor: 20 credits

 

Complete five PHIL courses with a grade of C or better.

4 credits per course (20 credits total)

  • PHIL course at any level
  • PHIL 2000-level or higher
  • PHIL 2000-level or higher
  • PHIL 2000-level or higher
  • PHIL 3615 Philosophical Methods

Students who declare the Philosophy and Religion B.A./American Studies M.A. 4+1 concentration can matriculate into the program after earning a minimum of 96 credits, with a minimum of 20 credit hours in the PHIL program and a 3.2 G.P.A. in the PHIL major.


Philosophy and Religion Program Requirements: 64 credits (16 courses)

 

Select twelve Program and Cognate Courses

4 credits per course (48 credits total)

  • PHIL 1101 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 1200 Introduction to Buddhism
  • PHIL 1203 Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 2112 Ethics: Theory and Practice
  • PHIL 2223 Death, Myth, and Philosophy
  • PHIL 2224 The Search for a God Language
  • PHIL 2403 History of Christianity
  • PHIL 2121 Chinese Philosophy
  • PHIL 3100 Moral Theories
  • PHIL 3130 Environmental Philosophy
  • PHIL 3607 History of Modern Philosophy I or
    PHIL 3619 History of Modern Philosophy II
  • PHIL 4600 Senior Seminar


Cognates: 16-32 credits

The remaining 16–32 credits must be taken in cognate courses in disciplines related to philosophy and religion: DANC, MUSC, THTR, ARTV, COMM, HIST, LANG, LITT, PHIL.

At-some-distance electives are courses that are unrelated to your major. 32 credits are required.

Three AMST courses (9 credits) to be takin in senior year are included under ASD requirements:

  • AMST 5000 Proseminar in American Studies (3 credits)
  • AMST 5001 Research Methods in American Studies (3 credits)
  • AMST Elective course (3 credits)

25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A. degree), the following courses are required.

General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
     *Must be taken in junior or senior year

NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.

**GAH 2275 Intro to American Studies is recommended for one fo the GAH courses.

These courses are listed as attributes and should be completed within the 128 credits needed to graduate.

Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)

Values Ethics (V)
International/Multicultural (I)
All matriculated students must earn a C or better in 4 writing-designated courses. Two W1 courses may be transferred.

1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)

1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level

NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.

All matriculated students must pass three quantitative-reasoning-designated courses. Two Q1 courses may be transferred.

1 Q1 course (any level)

1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)

1 Q2 course (any level)

NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University. 

All matriculated students must pass two Race and Racism-designated courses. A minimum grade of C is required for the R1 course; a minimum grade of D is required for any R2 course taken to fulfill this requirement. At least one of the two required courses must be taken at Stockton University.

1 R1 course (any level)

1 R1 or R2 course (any level)

Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met” (Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center for Academic Advising on a regular basis.

All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A.

For more information on the Philosophy and Religion program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.

Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.


Additional Information

Current Students

Access your portal for Degree Works, then look for the “what if” option to explore the various paths towards degree completion. Click the button below for instructional viodes on how to use Degree Works:

 

Prospective First Year or Transfer Students

Use the button below: 

 

How to Use Degree Works Equivalency

  • At the next page you are prompted with three (3) options. Select the one that says “continue without signing in.”
  • Respond to each prompt using the pull-down menu in the center of the page. [Please be patient. It may take a few seconds for the system to process your request. If you see a NO symbol, you need to wait a moment!]

Prompts include:

  • Enrollment dates (Choose intended semester attending)
  • Intended level (Choose “undergraduate”)
  • What degree you will pursue? (Choose “Bachelor of Arts”)
  • What is your intended major? (Choose "Philosophy and Religion”)
  • What is your intended concentration? (Choose "General," "Philosophy Graduate School," or "Philosophy Legal Studies")
  • What is your intended minor? (Choose “none or select one - it is not required). For Philosophy and Religion minors, select "Philosophy and Religion"
  • For prospective students, choose “I’m all done" button.
  • For transfer students, use the “class” button to see how courses already taken fit into the Stockton degree path.
  • You will see an overview of the degree you have selected, including all requirements.
  • At the bottom of the screen, you could save or print the worksheet.
  1. Adapting to Change
    The Philosophy and Religion program is a place to come for an excellent education due to the unique, dynamic, and diverse areas of specialty and experiences that its faculty members create. Our courses prepare students as serious competitors for further study, professional careers, and, above all, a well-rounded education. Some of our graduates have received law degrees, master’s degrees in philosophy, library science, bioethics, theology, counseling, chiropractic, herbal medicine, and an MFA in poetry, while others are graduate students in psychology, osteopathic medicine, information sciences, and cognition, brain and behavior programs.
  2. Information Literacy & Research Skills
    To discover the rich history of ideas, and the foundation of the humanities and the arts.
  3. Communication Skills, Creativity & Innovation
    To develop critical and creative skills in thinking, writing, and interpretation, and to be provided with time-tested tools of philosophical analysis.
  4. Ethical Reasoning
    To be inspired by the search for values and the quest for a deeply meaningful life.
  5. Teamwork & Collaboration
    To become part of a vibrant community of scholars in the interpretation of the love of wisdom.

Minor

The Philosophy and Religion program also offers a minor for students who have an interest in philosophy or religion. The minor works extremely well for students who are majoring in other fields, allowing them to further explore theories, histories, and values, while adding a distinctive touch to their degree. To minor in Philosophy and Religion students are required to complete five courses, one of which must be Philosophical Methods, with a grade of C or better. At least three of the courses must be at the 2000 level or above. To secure the best course progression, students must consult with a faculty member of the program or speak to the Program Coordinator.

Faculty

Rodger L. Jackson

Rodger L. Jackson

Professor of Philosophy
609-626-6016 | G-236
Lucio A. Privitello

Lucio A. Privitello

Professor of Philosophy, Tsantes Endowed Professor of Ancient Greek Philosophy; The Pappas Center for Hellenic Studies
609-652-4630 | K-161
Edward Siecienski

Edward Siecienski

Professor of Religion and Clement and Helen Pappas Professor of Byzantine Civilization and Religion
609-626-6859 | K-122
Jongbok Yi

Jongbok Yi

Associate Professor of Asian Philosophy
609-652-3490 | K-116

Careers

The study of philosophy fosters skills of textual analysis, argumentation, thinking, historical consciousness, writing and conceptual synthesis. Thus, it provides a solid background for the achievement of excellence in all professions. With its emphasis on the study of personal and social values, it promotes thoughtful and compassionate conduct in the workplace. While some Philosophy majors choose to attend graduate school to become professional philosophers, teachers, theologians or ministers, others use their philosophy background as a preparation for a career in law, medicine, government, social services, nonprofit organizations, and business.

Special Opportunities

Philosphy ClassThe International Honor Society (PST), Stockton Philosophical Society (SPS), the Classical Humanities Society (CHSSJ), and the Philosophy Speaker Series are active and exciting groups within the Philosophy and Religion program. For students interested in further discussion on philosophical and religious topics and themes, the SPS meets twice a week. Our chapter of PST (Phi Sigma Tau), the International Honor Society of Philosophy, with a rotating Faculty Advisor and three student officers, offers in-depth analysis of chosen topics and themes and the opportunity for students to publish in its journal Dialogue, and graduate with honors. The Classical Humanities Society of South Jersey (CHSSJ) brings speakers to campus for lectures on the classics and classical history disseminated through the humanities. The Philosophy Speaker Series invites scholars from area universities and colleges to lecture, visit, and have dinner with our Philosophy majors and minors.