This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.
Major Requirements
A major in philosophy and religion consists of ten courses, eleven for students seeking honors. At least five of these must be in philosophy and five must be in religion. At most one may be an independent study or two for students seeking honors.
Normally, the requirements for the major are satisfied by the following:
One of the Following
One of the Following
All of the Following
- PHIL 226 - Philosophy of Religion
- RELG 226 - Reason, Religion, and God
- RELG 352 - Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
One of the Following
400-level Seminar in Philosophy and Religion
Two 400-level seminars:
Additional Courses
- Additional courses to complete the major should be taken at the 300- or 400-level.
Honors
Candidates for honors in Philosophy and Religion normally take an independent study ( or ) with their honors adviser during the spring term of their senior year. The honors thesis – a substantial piece of research, analysis, or critique – is turned in to the adviser several weeks before the end of the term. If the adviser and two other faculty readers decide that the thesis can stand for honors, the honors candidate meets with their adviser and the two other faculty readers – a committee consisting of Philosophy and Religion faculty – and fields questions: the honors defense. Ideally the question and answer session becomes a forum for intellectual exchange between the student writer and the faculty readers. A student is awarded honors on the basis of both the quality of the written thesis and the conduct of the honors defense. No student can be awarded honors, however, who does not have at least a GPA of 3.67 in the Philosophy and Religion major.
Philosophy Department
For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the catalog page.