Department of Philosophy & Religion

Did you ever consider majoring in Philosophy?

Click here for reasons why you should.

Did you know you can now do a self-designed major in Religious Studies?

Congratulations to Meera Ghayal, TCNJ's first major in Religious Studies! Contact Dr. Le Morvan (lemorvan@tcnj.edu) to find out how you too can do a self-designed major.

Are you interested in attending law school?

Recent TCNJ philosophy majors have been accepted at first rate law schools such as those at New York University, the University of Chicago, and Duke University.

Philosophy, as a discipline, is the systematic examination of the most fundamental questions that human beings ask.

Philosophy explores such matters as the nature of reality, the nature and source of knowledge, the nature and basis of ethics, and the relationship between mind and body. The study of philosophy makes a valuable contribution to one’s personal development and is a keystone of a liberal education. The philosophy major combines a thorough study of philosophies that have shaped Western civilization with rigorous training in the analysis of argument and in the development of a systematic set of reasoned philosophical views of one ’s own.

bliss The design of the philosophy major itself, as well as each course taught, strives to imbue students with those ways of identifying, thinking about and analyzing problems and constructing and assessing theories and counterexamples that can be found within the best that philosophy has to offer. The courses expressly ask students to demonstrate the ability to identify philosophical issues as problems or puzzles with respect to which there exist opposing solutions each of which requires investigation, understanding and assessment. They also emphasize the importance of the student’s making a genuine contribution to the discussion that is presented by the assigned and recommended materials for the course in addition to demonstrating mastery of those materials. These courses also place emphasis on the process by which a good piece of philosophy is finally produced. Learn more »

Religion courses at TCNJ explore religion and its place in human life and provide critical insight into the fundamental tenets and practices of the major religious traditions.

The Religion Minor, the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Religious Studies, and the Self-Designed Major in Religious Studies allow a sustained and probing study of religious matters. They provide a valuable background for various religious vocations, as well as a number of other careers including teaching, social work, and counseling.

Learn about the liberal learning concentration in religious studies, the self-desgned majpr, the religion minor, TCNJ faculty with interests in religious studies, Religious Studies courses, and campus ministries. Learn more »