Philosophical Theology / Philosophy of Religion

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This concentration comprises philosophical theology and philosophy of religion.  Philosophers and theologians deal with many of the same issues.  In the past it was thought that the distinction between these two fields was to be made on the basis of one's being objective, the other faith-based.  It is now widely recognized that all enquiry proceeds from the point of view of some convictional or traditional stance.  Thus, the two fields are best distinguished in terms of community of reference.

 Major Concentration

 Ph.D. students must take the following during Phase One of their program:

  •  PH852. Methods in Philosophy, and

  •  TH806. Theological Uses of Postmodern Philosophy

Additional seminars and/or directed readings should be selected in consultation with the student's mentor.

 Th.M. students may take either PH835 or TH806 as the required methods seminar.

Minor Concentration in Philosophical Theology/Philosophy of Religion

Students who major in another discipline but who wish to minor in philosophical theology or philosophy of religion should complete two seminars (or one seminar and one directed reading) in Phase One of their program.  While comprehensive exams are not based on seminars, seminars generally provide the best starting point for becoming acquainted with relevant exam areas.

Minor Concentration for students in Philosophical Theology/Philosophy of Religion

Graduates with concentrations in philosophical theology are likely to take jobs that require teaching a variety of courses outside their area of specialization.  For this reason, students have the choice of minoring in one other discipline (which entails taking at least two seminars in that discipline and one comprehensive exam) or of studying two secondary areas.  In the latter case, the second exam area should be chosen in consultation with the student's primary mentor.

Comprehensive Examinations (Ph.D. only)

Comprehensive exams are not based on seminars, although seminars generally provide useful starting points for becoming acquainted with relevant exam areas.  The standard examination areas in this concentration are:

  • Philosophical theology

  • Philosophy of religion

  • History of philosophy (a selected period or issue)

  • Theology and science

  • Apologetics

Students in this concentration may take exams in three of these areas, or they may concentrate their exams in one or two areas.

 Prof. Murphy requires students to prepare a comprehensive exam proposal for each exam.  This includes two essays:  first, an overview of the field (3-5 pages) and a bibliography reflecting the student's knowledge of the standard or important works in that area (20-30 entries).   Second, a statement concerning the topic or topics within that field for which the student will be responsible (3-5 pages) and a short bibliography (approximately 10 entries) reflecting the topic(s) on which the student will be examined.

 Language Requirements

 Ph.D.  Two research languages are required (four quarter units each), chosen from among German, French, Latin, *other.

*Substitution of a different research language relevant to the likely dissertation topic may be requested of the primary mentor and the CATS Committee.

Th.M.  One research language is required and should be chosen with the approval of the primary mentor from among German, Spanish, or French (four quarter units).