Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Stanford University

Stanford University

United States of America, Stanford

University Rank:#3

Stanford University offers the Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Stanford , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for philosophy and religious studies and related professional fields. Tuition fees are USD 19,231 / term, and the next available intake begins on June 24, 2297.

About Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies

The mission of the undergraduate program in Philosophy is to train students to think clearly and critically about the deepest and broadest questions concerning being, knowledge, and value, as well as their connections to the full range of human activities and interests. The Philosophy major presents students with paradigms and perspectives of past thinkers and introduces students to a variety of methods of reasoning and judgment formation. Courses in the major equip students with core skills involved in critical reading, analytical thinking, sound argumentation, and the clear, well-organized expression of ideas. Philosophy is an excellent major for those planning a career in law, medicine, business, or the non-profit sector. It provides analytical skills and a breadth of perspective helpful to those called upon to make decisions about their own conduct and the welfare of others. Philosophy majors who have carefully planned their undergraduate program have an excellent record of admission to professional and graduate schools.

Undergraduate courses in Religious Studies are designed to engage students existentially and to assist them in thinking about intellectual, ethical, and sociopolitical issues in the world's religions. The department's faculty seek to provide tools for understanding the complex encounters among religious ideas, practices, and communities, and the past and present cultures that have shaped and been shaped by religion. Courses therefore expose students to: leading concepts in the field of religious studies such as god(s), sacrifice, ritual, scripture, prophecy, and priesthood; approaches developed over the past century, including the anthropological, historical, psychological, philosophical, and phenomenological, that open religion to closer inspection and analysis; and major questions, themes, developments, features, and figures in the world's religious traditions. The department encourages and supports the acquisition of languages needed for engagement with sacred texts and interpretive traditions as well as study abroad at Stanford's overseas centers where religions can be observed and experienced in their contemporary contexts.

The undergraduate major in Philosophy and Religious Studies consists of 60 units of course work with approximately one third each in the philosophy core; the religious studies core; and additional coursework and a capstone requirement that completes the course of study.

No courses in either the philosophy or religious studies core may be taken satisfactory/no credit or credit/no credit.
Students who have declared the combined major prior to Autumn 2019-20 may choose to follow the Degree Requirements listed in either the current Bulletin or the 2018-19 Bulletin.

Preparation for the Major

Students contemplating the Philosophy and Religious Studies major are invited to consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The Undergraduate Student Services Associate in Building 70 can also field questions regarding the declaration procedure within the department.

Find balance and depth in both philosophy and religious studies, learning to think clearly and critically about the deepest and broadest questions concerning being, knowledge, and value while engaging existentially in intellectual, ethical, and sociopolitical issues in the world's religions.

The Philosophy Department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate program. Students are expected to demonstrate:

the ability to effectively communicate philosophical ideas orally and in writing.
close reading, argument evaluation, and analytical writing.
dialectical ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of an argument and devise appropriate and telling responses.
the ability to think critically and demonstrate clarity of conceptualization.
the ability to differentiate good from unpromising philosophical questions.
the ability to sustain an argument of substantial scope, showing control over logical, argumentative, and evidential relations among its parts.
mastery over a domain of literature, an area of philosophical problems, or an area in the history of thought.
an understanding of argumentative relations among different philosophical issues in their area, and an ability to discriminate between problems that must be addressed, and those that may be deferred to future work.
the ability to frame and pursue more deeply a philosophical question within the domain.
the ability to develop, articulate, and defend a thesis about the question.
knowledge and awareness of plausible objections to their arguments, and resourcefulness in responding to them.

The Religious Studies Department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate program. Students are expected to:

demonstrate familiarity with a variety of methods used analytically in the field of Religious Studies.
demonstrate proficiency in writing papers in the style of academic writing in the field of Religious Studies.
demonstrate the ability to engage peer scholars' research in constructive and critical ways, and communicate feedback effectively.
demonstrate individual expertise through oral presentation of one's advanced research to peers.
complete an advanced research project consistent with standards for papers in the field of Religious Studies.

Disciplines

Religious Studies

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Stanford University

Entry Requirements

At Stanford, we practice holistic admission. Each piece in your application is part of an integrated and comprehensive whole.

One piece tells us about your background and life experiences, another about your school and your academic achievement. We learn from others about your character and intellectual contributions. In your essays, we learn about your ideas and interests, and what is meaningful to you.

Each year we aim to enroll a class of diverse backgrounds and experiences, talents, academic interests, and ways of viewing the world.

In a holistic review, we seek to understand how you, as a whole person, would grow, contribute and thrive at Stanford, and how Stanford would, in turn, be changed by you.

Academic Excellence

The primary criterion for admission to Stanford is academic excellence. We look for your preparation and potential to succeed. We expect you to challenge yourself throughout high school and to do very well.

The most important credential for evaluating your academic record is your high school transcript. Please know that our evaluation goes beyond any numerical formula. There is no minimum GPA or test score, nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to have your application reviewed or be admitted to Stanford.

For more complete information on our curriculum guidelines for first-year students, please visit our Academic Preparation page.

Intellectual Vitality

We want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons, both in what you write about yourself and in what others write on your behalf. We want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in a first-year seminar and continue the conversation at the dinner table. We want to see the energy and depth of commitment you will bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a research lab, as part of a community organization, during a performance or on an athletic field. We want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities and expand your perspective.

Extracurricular Activities

Learning about your extracurricular activities and nonacademic interests helps us understand your potential contributions to the Stanford community. Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which a student participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. You may also hold down a job or have family responsibilities. These are as important as any other extracurricular activity. In general, we want to understand the impact you have had at your job, in your family, in a club, in your school or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.

In some cases, exceptional abilities in athletics may influence our decision if the applicant is otherwise well qualified, but such abilities never, by themselves, ensure admission to Stanford.

Context

Just as no two Stanford students are the same, each applicant to Stanford is unique. This means that as we review each application, we pay careful attention to unique circumstances. We take into account your background, educational pathway, and work and family responsibilities. By focusing on your achievements in context, we evaluate how you have excelled in your school environment and how you have taken advantage of what is available to you in your school and community.

It is important to know these variables are not listed in order of importance in our evaluation and selection process. We review applications holistically. No portion of the application is considered without the rest of the application.

English Requirements

TOEFLMin 100

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Stanford University

Tuition Fee

19,231 / term

Application Fee 90

How to Apply for Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Stanford University

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Bachelor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Stanford University

Stanford University

United States of America, Stanford