Religion

Department Chair Stamper

Professors - Schroeder

Associate Professor - Stamper

Assistant Professor - Bryant

Adjunct Instructors - Apothaker, Tousley, Tucker, Walton

Mission Statement

The Religion and Philosophy Department participates in the mission of Capital University by fostering the disciplined, critical study of the ways in which human individuals and cultures make meaning. Specifically, the Religion and Philosophy Department aims to develop in students the ability to engage in critical thinking, the ability to articulate and defend their ideas effectively, and the capacity for critical reflection on the goods of human existence, life, and work, in a manner that honors individual abilities and communal needs.

The specific mission of the religion program is to develop:

the students’ understanding of the nature of religion, including sacred literature, belief, and practice, as those features are manifested in major world religions, and
the ability to carry on disciplined, critical dialogue concerning varied understandings of specific religions and the relationship of religious practice to everyday experience.

Learning Outcomes

The six learning goals for Religion state that students who major in Religion should:

Students critique ideas central to the development of Western and Non-western philosophy including specific persons, concepts, traditions, and events.
Students express and articulate arguments and rebuttals using clear and effective written and oral communication.
Students critique arguments by identifying fallacies, constructing logical proofs, and assessing arguments both formally and informally to develop criteria for making value judgements.
Students evaluate beliefs and methodologies for generating personal, interpersonal, and cultural meaning as the grounding of personal and social identity by exploring the core subdisciplines of philosophy.
Students apply philosophical principles across a range of issues relevant to critical social problems, burgeoning fields of study, and under-represented groups and traditions. Students apply the core elements of philosophical discourse and the critical skills necessary for meaningful philosophical civic participation.
Students use philosophical ideas, concepts, and principles to identify and craft connections to future professional possibilities including the ability to pursue philosophy on their own.

Religion Worship and Youth Ministry and Christian Education Majors:

Religion Worship and Youth Ministry and Christian Education majors seek to prepare students to become leaders within the worship life of congregations. These studies link critical and academic studies with studies in the practice of ministry. Theological and ministry studies will be supplemented with required guided cognate studies outside the Religion Department.