Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Marianne Delaporte, Ph.D., Chair
(650) 508-4181, mdelaporte@ndnu.edu
The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as a Minor in Philosophy. The Philosophy program leads students into an exploration of the history of methods and ideas of great thinkers, offering students a variety of courses in which they are challenged to develop their own logical, critical and ethical thinking skills and apply them to contemporary issues and their own daily lives. The Philosophy Department, in its curriculum and in the perspectives of its faculty, does its part to educate students for life with a worldview informed by the mission, vision and values of NDNU. The skills of critical thinking and the principles of ethical action work hand in hand in fostering hope in the students’ own ability to make a significant contribution to the wider community and an optimism and enthusiasm for their future lives.
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Students at a Kairos Retreat |
The faculty is well aware of the diversity of NDNU’s students and gears both the curriculum and pedagogy to meet their various needs and interests. Virtually all the course offerings draw on philosophers and issues relevant to the various ethnic, historical, cultural and religious backgrounds. In our department "philosophy" is taught and understood as an "ethos" and "a way of life". We try to keep philosophical ideas close to issues of life, following the Socratic practice of philosophy as the Care of The Self, and the maxim that "an unexamined life is not worth living".
Philosophy majors go on to graduate school and also careers in civil service, law, education, journalism, business and many related fields. Statistics show that philosophy majors consistently score among the highest majors in the admission test for graduate school in other fields and in Medicine (MCAT) and Law (LSAT), making Philosophy a good pre- professional major.
See the NDNU General Catalog for program requirements and course descriptions.
Admission Process
NDNU admits students throughout the year for fall, spring and summer semesters. Please review the NDNU General Catalog for complete admission requirements.
Faculty
Marianne Delaporte, Professor of Religious Studies and Chair, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, at NDNU since 2003
BA, University of Chicago; MA, Graduate Theological Union; Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
Anatole Anton, Lecturer in Philosophy, at NDNU since 2010
Ph.D., Stanford University
Mary Criscione, Lecturer in Philosophy, at NDNU since 2007
BA, MA, University of San Francisco; Ph.D., Graduate Theology Union, Berkeley
Ali Kashani, Lecturer in Philosophy at NDNU since 2010
Ph.D., Michigan State University
Michael Rende, Lecturer in Philosophy, at NDNU since 2007
BA, University of San Francisco; Ph.D., Marquette University
Contact
Marianne Delaporte, Ph.D., Chair
(650) 508-4181, mdelaporte@ndnu.edu
Undergraduate Admissions
Tel: (800) 263-0545 or (650) 508-3600
Fax: (650) 508-3426
E-mail: admiss@ndnu.edu
M-Th 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.