Religion and Philosophy

Religion & Church Leadership

The Religion and Church Leadership major is an interdisciplinary degree designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for successful ministry, lay or professional, in the Christian church. Students will take a core set of classes helping them establish a solid foundation in biblical studies. They will also choose from a variety of electives in religion, providing further background in Bible and Christian history and thought. Along with the Religion classes, students will take courses from other disciplines selected to round out their knowledge of cultural and social dynamics as and of ethics. Finally, students will learn the fundamental skills in communication and management in order to help them develop skills necessary to succeed in leading ministry programs.

CMU has a chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a national honor society for Religious Studies and Theology (advisor: Dr. Daryl Jefferies).

Religion and Church Leadership Program Outcomes

Students will be Biblically literate.

  • Students will be Biblically literate.

Fundamental Skills

  • Students will have fundamental vocational skills necessary to succeed in leading ministry programs.

Theological Analysis and Reflection

  • Students will be able to analyze concrete ministry situations and reflect theologically on those situations

Comparative Religion & Philosophy

The Comparative Religion and Philosophy program provides a route for students who are interested in the ideas and practices that have shaped our world. Students will learn about worldviews, ethics, history and ritual practices from around the globe. They will also learn methods for comparing across this religious and philosophical landscape. The major is useful to students who are interested in international business, politics, law, and global travel.

CMU has two pre-law chapters: Phi Alpha Delta is the national pre-law fraternity, and the Pre-Law Club is for upperclassmen who plan to enter the law profession (advisor: Dr. John Carter).

Comparative Religion & Philosophy Program Outcomes

Articulate

  • Articulate and support their own positions in written and oral formats.

Evaluate

  • Critically evaluate systems of belief and practice.

Engage

  • Responsibly and respectfully engage different philosophical and religious worldviews.
Majors and Minors

Major Minor

BA or BS in Religion and Church Leadership BA in Comparative Religion and Philosophy Religion Minor Religion and Church Leadership Minor Philosophy Minor Comparative Religion and Philosophy Minor
Courses

PL102 - Critical Thinking - 3 Semester Hours

PL106 - Introduction to Western Philosophy - 3 Semester Hours

PL225 - Philosophy of Religion - 3 Semester Hours

PL260 - Special Problems - 3 Semester Hours

PL268 - Internship and Field Experiences - 3 Semester Hours

PL290 - Special Topics - 3 Semester Hours

PL306 - Ethics and the Professions - 3 Semester Hours

PL310 - Ethics and Leadership - 3 Semester Hours

PL311 - The Study of Knowledge - 3 Semester Hours

PL321 - Asian Philosophy and Religion - 3 Semester Hours

PL340 - Comparative Religion and Philsophy - 3 Semester Hours

PL360 - Special Problems - 3 Semester Hours

PL368 - Internship and Field Experiences - 3 Semester Hours

PL390 - Special Topics - 3 Semester Hours

PL450 - Comparative Religion and Philosophy Capstone - 3 Semester Hours

RL122 - Religion and the Human Adventure - 3 Semester Hours

RL190 - Special Topics - 3 Semester Hours

RL201 - Old Testament - 3 Semester Hours

RL202 - New Testament - 3 Semester Hours

RL203 - Exploration of Christian Thought - 3 Semester Hours

RL205 - Introduction to Church Leadership - 3 Semester Hours

RL225 - Philosophy of Religion - 3 Semester Hours

RL260 - Special Problems - 3 Semester Hours

RL268 - Internship and Field Experiences - 3 Semester Hours

RL290 - Special Topics - 3 Semester Hours

RL301 - Mission and the Message of Jesus - 3 Semester Hours

RL302 - Paul and the Early Church - 3 Semester Hours

RL303 - The Prophets - 3 Semester Hours

RL310 - Biblical Literature and the Ancient World - 3 Semester Hours

RL321 - Asian Philosophy and Religion - 3 Semester Hours

RL331 - History of Christianity I - 3 Semester Hours

RL332 - History of Christianity II - 3 Semester Hours

RL335 - History of American Methodism - 3 Semester Hours

RL336 - Thanatology - 3 Semester Hours

RL340 - Comparative Religion and Philosophy - 3 Semester Hours

RL360 - Special Problems - 3 Semester Hours

RL368 - Internship and Field Experiences - 3 Semester Hours

RL390 - Special Topics - 3 Semester Hours

RL480 - Religion Capstone - 3 Semester Hours

Last updated: 08/07/2023