Philosophy
Philosophy/Religious Studies
The Philosophy Curriculum at the University of Wisconsin Colleges
{Derived from "Philosophy: A Brief Guide for Undergraduates", a publication of the American Philosophical Association}
No brief definition can capture the diversity and richness of philosophy. It may be described in many ways: philosophy is the systematic study of ideas, the reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for a comprehensive understanding of the world, the love of wisdom, and much more. Every aspect of human life raises philosophical questions; philosophical methods apply to every subject and to any vocation; and philosophical training enhances our ability to solve problems, understand abstract ideas and express our thoughts in a clear and convincing manner. Philosophy develops an understanding and appreciation of activities the absence of which would impoverish our lives: aesthetic, moral and religious experience, communication and conflict resolution with people whose basic assumptions diverge from our own, and the intellectual zest which arises out of a lively discussion of matters of the first importance. This diversity in content and application gives rise to a corresponding diversity in the content and methodology of the undergraduate philosophy courses both at the UW Colleges and in other liberal arts UW Colleges. The UW Colleges Philosophy Department, in concert with the American Philosophical Association, recognizes and encourages the variation in content and teaching technique in philosophy courses as offered by different instructors and by the same instructor at different times. We consciously choose not to impose a standard syllabus or other course format upon our curriculum. To do so would misrepresent the nature of philosophy to our students and betray our professional commitment to philosophy as the free and unfettered pursuit of excellence in the life of the mind.
In 2008 the Colleges Religious Studies program was introduced by the former chair, Mark Brown, with key support from the first member of that program, James Veninga, Associate Professor of Religious Studies (now emeritus). At the present time, the Colleges Religious Studies Program is housed within the Colleges Philosophy department under the guidance of its Religious Studies Committee. Religious studies is recognized as an interdisciplinary program within the Colleges, akin to Women's Studies. The plan is for it to become an independent program with its own director (as is true of Women's Studies) when budgetary considerations allow for this. Until that time, the Chair of the Philosophy Department acts as its director with the advice and consent of the Religious Studies Committee.
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