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Philosophy and Religion Concentration

At Gordon, we believe that exploring the tough questions of life actually transforms faith rather than threatening it. If you are a thoughtful, curious Christian, the philosophy and religion concentration may be a great fit for you. This concentration within the philosophy major seamlessly connects the higher thinking of philosophy to the grounding foundations of religion. You will be prepared to continue exploring and navigating some of life’s hardest questions through the lens of faith, and to apply your thinking into a variety of professional and non-professional settings.

Why study philosophy at Gordon?

The distinctive backgrounds and expertise of Gordon’s Political Science, History and Philosophy Department faculty will provide you with wide-ranging exposure to the major movements in the history of philosophy. You’ll study figures like Socrates, St. Augustine and Kierkegaard, and issues like the problem of suffering and what it means to live a good life. You will also engage with a community of Christian scholars who will introduce you to a life-long dialogue on crucial contemporary questions. This grounding in the foundational issues and figures will prepare you to complete your major with a concentrated area of study that reflects your specific interests and career goals.

What careers can I pursue by studying philosophy (philosophy and religion)?

  • Law
  • Business
  • Government and Public Policy
  • Publishing
  • Conflict Mediation
  • Theology
  • Ordained Ministry
  • Philosophy teacher or professor

Learn more about jobs and internships ➔

Go the extra mile!

Every philosophy major will complete their program with an internship or final research project appropriate for their concentration. For students who wish to pursue honors in philosophy, recommended for any student thinking of pursuing graduate studies, the capstone course will focus on developing and writing an honor’s thesis that will be defended before the department and prepared for publication in an appropriate scholarly journal.

If you are interested in cross-disciplinary issues, build on your philosophy studies and explore these interests through the Kenneth L. Pike Honors Program. As Pike Scholars, Gordon philosophy students have pursued interdisciplinary study in topics such as environmental ethics, religion and society, and combinations of politics, philosophy and economics. Attend and submit your papers to undergraduate research conferences; join the Philosophy Club; learn about fascinating topics through the Center for Faith and Inquiry's visiting scholars’ lectures, which are often philosophical in nature. And our proximity to Boston affords you the opportunity to take advantage of lectures and resources there.

Global Opportunities

Gordon’s Political Science, History and Philosophy Department has a special relationship with the following global education programs:

Interested?

For more information, contact:

Dr. Mark Gedney, Chair
Department of Philosophy

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