Major in Religion & Philosophy
Associate of Arts Degree in Religious Studies

The mission of the Department of Religion and Philosophy is to educate women and men for future graduate studies or professional careers in, or related to, the disciplines and fields of religion, philosophy, and ethics. Graduates of Religion and Philosophy have found careers in ministry, medicine, law, business, journalism, politics, civil service, social activism, as well as high school and college level teaching.

The educational programs are structured around curricula that enable students to gain balanced exposure to the nature, tasks, and roles of ministers, theologians, philosophers, ethicists, and human services professionals in communities of faith, the public square, and the academy. These curricula include (1) a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy, (2) Associate of Arts in Religious Studies, and (3) a minor in either religion or philosophy for students in other degree programs of liberal arts and sciences.

In addition to the main campus in Raleigh, these areas of study are offered through the University’s Centers for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE) at Ahoskie, Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville, Greenville, High Point, Kannapolis, Rocky Mount/Wilson, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

For more information, contact the Department Chair, Dr. William A. Thurston, Shaw University, 118 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. (919) 546-8457/8265 or Email: wthursto@shawu.edu.

Major in Religion & Philosophy
The Religion and Philosophy Major, with a concentration either in Religion or Philosophy, is both structured and flexible to permit students to focus in a particular area of interest. Students must earn a grade of AC@ or better in all departmental requirements, which include a shared core of ten courses as well as three elective courses and a senior project course in the area of concentration, for a total of 42 semester hours.

For all religion and philosophy majors, the departmental core courses are:

Religion 225
Introduction to Religion

Religion 234
World Religions

Religion 235
Bible

Religion 300
History of Christianity

Religion 340
African American Religion

Philosophy 240
Introduction to Philosophy

Philosophy 243
Contemporary Philosophy

Philosophy 255
Logic and Thinking

Philosophy 370
Body, Mind, and Person

Philosophy 385
African American Philosophy

Along with a University liberal-arts core of 48 semester hours and 10 free electives of 30 semester hours, these departmental requirements allow students to relate their particular interest to their preparation either for (1) graduate studies in religious, philosophical, and other professional schools, for example, law, social enterprise, public policy, and social work, or (2) entry-level positions in a wide range of religious and human service professions.


Associate of Arts Degree in Religious Studies
The Department of Religion and Philosophy of Shaw University offers the Associate of Arts Degree in Religious Studies, through the CAPE to meet the needs of the nontraditional student. The primary goal of the Associate of Arts Degree in Religious Studies is to provide quality religious education to persons engaging in ministry, religion, or related fields.

Candidates for the Associate of Arts Degree in Religious Studies must fulfill the degree requirements of 60 semester hours. Of these, at least 30 semester hours must be completed at Shaw University.

Core Requirements (24 Hours)
- English 111 and 112 (6)
- Ethics (6)
- Humanities (3)
- Math (3)
- Communication (3)
- Social Science (3)

Department Requirements (24 Hours)
- REL 225 Introduction to Religion (3)
- REL 234 World Religions or REL 232 Women in Western Religious History (3)
- REL 235 Bible (3)
- REL 236 History of Christianity (3)
- REL 340 African American Religion
- REL Electives (9 hours)

Electives (12 Hours)