Philosophy
Students will be able to:
- Understand the value of thinking philosophically by
reflecting on the meaning of one's own life, the conceptual foundations
of human actions and beliefs, the nature of the self and of human
responsibility.
- Understand and discuss coherently the central
philosophical issues, such as the problem of evil, the existence of God,
free will, the mind/body relation, human knowledge, and the question of
being.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify and articulate,
both orally and in writing, the primary philosophical themes and issues
found in the writings of the major philosophers.
- Demonstrate an ability to evaluate philosophical
arguments critically, both orally and in writing, using philosophical
methods that have been developed by either historical or contemporary
philosophers.
Theology and Religious Studies
Students will be able to:
Human Dimensions of Religion, Theology, and Spirituality
- Understand their own spirituality and recognize how
religion, theology, and spirituality underlie and correlate with a broad
range of human experience.
Religious Diversity
- Understand, differentiate, and appreciate various
religious traditions, as encouraged by Vatican II's stance on the
Catholic Church's relationship with other faiths. This understanding
will entail the creedal vision, moral teachings, historical context,
social expression, and key rites and symbols of these faith traditions.
Social Justice
- Investigate and discuss how religious and theological
traditions can work effectively for social justice and for the good of
the entire human family and the environment that sustains it.
Ethics
Students will be able to:
- Identify and articulate central ethical problems
concerning equality, justice, and rights, and understand the role these
play in personal and professional life.
- Compare and contrast major ethical theories, to show
how actions can be determined to be just or unjust, right or wrong, or
good or bad, and to demonstrate knowledge of the strengths and
weaknesses of major ethical theories.
- Investigate ways of settling ethical disputes in
arriving at ethical judgments.
- Think and write critically about classic and
contemporary moral issues.
- Identify the contributions of diversity and recognize
the challenge that it presents in resolving contemporary ethical
issues.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply ethical theories and
values in personal decision-making.
