University of Maine at Farmington 2014-2015 Catalog
 
The University
Academic Organization, Faculty Listing
Academic Programs
Courses
Admission, Costs, Farmington in Four, Financial Aid
Academic Policies
Personnel
Notices
UMF Logo
 
Context

Interdisciplinary Studies - Philosophy/Religion
Print This Page

Degree Earned
Bachelor of Arts: Interdisciplinary Studies - Philosophy/Religion

Interdisciplinary Studies recognizes that academic disciplines do not exist in a vacuum, that to fully understand a subject one must move beyond the silos of the individual disciplines and integrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are to be found in related, complementary academic subjects. Thus the student will study at least two different subjects in the Interdisciplinary program, looking for connections between them.

About the Concentration:

This concentration is designed to help students become more knowledgeable and capable inquirers in their pursuit of better answers to some of life's most fundamental questions.

Learning Goals:

  • Students will pursue inquiries in the fields of philosophy and religion. They will develop their own inquiries, and (ultimately) be able to explain their own questions and goals using the vocabulary and concepts of the disciplines they have studied.
  • Students will improve their ability to reason about and evaluate the responses of others to some of life's most fundamental questions, and to articulate their own responses as well.
  • Students will be able to explain and be fluent in using a significant range of vocabulary and concepts from the fields of philosophy and religion in their own thinking, writing, and discourse. In particular, they will be able to use the vocabulary and concepts of historically significant figures in the fields of philosophy and religion in this way.
  • Students will know some of the historical context of the philosophical and religious concepts they use. They will understand some of the ways that the development of those concepts relates to developments in other fields.
  • Students will develop their abilities to do a close reading of difficult texts, and write clear, thoughtful, well-reasoned prose about abstract ideas. Students will develop the habit of defining key terms when they read and write.
  • Students will learn to recognize and articulate arguments and other rhetorical strategies. Students will be able to produce reasoned evaluations of arguments and other rhetorical strategies in both their own work and the work of others.
  • Students will learn some of the research standards and procedures appropriate to the disciplines of philosophy and religion. In particular, students will know how to find out what has been said on a topic, how to limit their claims and responses appropriately, and how to reference sources adequately and appropriately.


Assessment Criteria:

We assess the program's success in achieving its goals through evaluation of student papers, presentations, examinations, and discussions.


 
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
 
Three out of four of the following courses:
 
PHI 120H What is the Good Life?  
PHI 140H Science and Social Contract  
PHI 220H Constructing Our World and Ourselves            
PHI 240H Consciousness and Experience 12
     
One 300-level course in Philosophy 4
   
Five Philosophy electives, with at least 2 at the 200-level or above 20
REL 100H   Introduction to the Study of Religion 4
Three Religion electives 12

Total Credits for the Major: 52

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 
Intermediate Proficiency in a Foreign Language 12
 
 

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128

See other years' Catalogs