Why Study Philosophy or Religious Studies?

Why Study Philosophy?

• Philosophy is a Great Major.
• “What Is Philosophy?” An interview with Jack Russell Weinstein, director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life [YouTube]
• Philosophy majors do remarkably well on the job market especially at mid-career. This doesn’t surprise us, because employers look for strong abilities to reason, innovate, and communicate, at all of which philosophy majors excel. By mid-career philosophy majors are the fourth highest earning group, following economics, engineering, and mathematics majors. Read more. 
• Philosophy majors do very well on graduate entrance exams such as the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. According to Forbes magazine, they also enjoy higher acceptance rates for medical school than science majors including chemistry and biology.
• Towson’s Philosophy Forum is a student-run, SGA-supported group that promotes discussion of various philosophical questions. Get involved! The forum meets every week and is open to all students.  Please contact Anne Ashbaugh at aashbaugh AT_TOWSON for more information.
• Contribute an essay to Towson’s undergraduate philosophy journal, The Journal of Philosophical Ideas, which features student work. Please contact Anne Ashbaugh at aashbaugh AT_TOWSON for more information.

Why Religious Studies?

• Identify varied religious and philosophical beliefs and learn why individuals follow such beliefs
• Gain broad historical knowledge necessary to understand the world's great philosophical and religious movements
• Analyze different belief systems and see first-hand how religion and philosophy surround us – in film, popular music, and literature – and affect all aspects of our lives
• Examine objectively, from philosophical, historical and text-critical viewpoints, the great world religions
• Explore some of the deepest and most significant ideas and values that have emerged in human history
• A major in Religious Studies is excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers.

• Participate in the World Religions Roundtable, a student-run, SGA-supported group that promotes discussion of various philosophical and religious issues. The roundtable meets weekly and is open to all students. Please contact Robert Tappan at rtappan AT_TOWSON for more information.