Associate of Arts | 61 credits minimum

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Taylorsville Redwood Campus AAB 165
General Information 801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-4338
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
Associate Professors - Jane Drexler, Ph.D., Alexander Izrailevsky, Ph.D, Suzanne Jacobs, MPhil, MA, Clarie Peterson, ABD, MA
Assistant Professors - Wijitha Bandara, Ph.D
Instructor - Ananda Spike, MA

Program Description
The Philosophy and Religious Studies Program at SLCC provides students with introductory and specialized courses that engage the history, value and challenges of diverse ideas and worldviews through explorations of Eastern and Western philosophies and/or religions. Students in this program explore a wide range of belief sets and philosophical frameworks that have grounded humanity’s attempts to describe the ultimate nature of reality and the ultimate sources of worth, meaning, truth and purpose in life.

Program courses are based on the study of the ideas, writings, practices, histories, conceptual frameworks, and developments of secular and/or religious systems, individually and comparatively. The essentially interdisciplinary character of the program combined with the diversity of the methodological and pedagogical approaches used by the faculty create an effective educational model to introduce students to both the classical foundations of world cultures and to the recent developments arising out of them. Each course in the program proceeds from a commitment to strengthening the connections across disciplines and perspectives; developing methods of reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking, writing and speaking; and to cultivating attentiveness to words and practices, and the ways we make meaning and value in our lives.

Students must receive a minimum of “C” grade in all program required courses.

Career Opportunities
Philosophy/Religious Studies courses serve as a foundation for continuing study in Philosophy or Religious Studies at a baccalaureate-granting institutions; for meeting Humanities, International and Global, and Communication General Education requirements for an Associates degree, and for personal enrichment. Moreover, the study of these fields enables the student to develop practical skills consistently sought by employers: analytical thinking, critical reasoning, logic, clarity of expression, and creativity; as well as the ability to guide common efforts, to work effectively among different viewpoints, to communicate in writing and speaking, to problem solve, and to work ethically, with initiative, and the ability to adapt to new situations. Graduates in these fields enjoy careers in such diverse fields as advertising, banking, business, international business, medical service, law, foreign service, journalism, public administration,
publishing, education, human resources, and management.

Transfer/Articulation Information
Admission into a major program at a transfer institution depends upon the receiving institution’s requirements for that major. Some major programs are restricted and require special application as well as a competitive GPA. See an Academic Advisor at both SLCC and the intended receiving institution for specific articulation information.

Philosophy

SLCC Track (transfer agreement with University of Utah Philosophy Major)

We have a new Articulation Agreement between SLCC’s Philosophy Curriculum and the University of Utah’s Philosophy program, called SLCC Track, currently in a five-year trial (through AY 22/23). The U’s Philosophy program requires at least three upper division (3000+) philosophy courses from three subcategories—Ethics and Values (Area I), Metaphysics and Epistemology (Area II), and History of Philosophy (Area III)—and at least one course in Logic and Formal Methods, and one Senior Seminar. The new SLCC Track agreement allows for SLCC’s 2000-level courses to help fill these major requirements, according to the following terms:

For each of our Areas I, II and III, SLCC students may treat up to one corresponding 2000-level philosophy class as counting towards distribution requirements in those areas (on condition that students have earned a B or better in that course). That is, they may effectively reduce the distribution areas in each of those Areas from three (3) to two (2) courses [with their SLCC 2000-level course counting as the required 3rd course]. They may also transfer credits earned from these courses towards the 36 credits of philosophy course work needed to complete the U of
U major.

…[Additionally], any Philosophy course [at any level] may be transferred and counted as a U of U’s Philosophy program elective.

…In practice, this effectively raises the number of SLCC courses that may count towards a U of U Philosophy
major from one (1) to four (4). SLCC students that transfer four courses will be in a good position to complete
their U of U philosophy major in 2 years.

SLCC courses that contribute to SLCC Track:

Current courses:

PHIL 2300 – Environmental Ethics (Area I)

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion (Area II)

Under Development: a course in Area III

PHIL 2900 – Philosophy of _______ (Area III) (special topics course corresponding to U’s Area III)

To develop by 2023 in order to support the continuation of SLCC Track: at least one additional course in each Area. For instance:

Area I: PHIL 2011 – a course in Ethics and Diversity (would also serve as a DV for SLCC) or similar

Area II: PHIL 2450 – History and Philosophy of Science or PHIL 2400 – Mind, Language and Reality

Area III: PHIL 2810 – Existentialism, or PHIL 2060 – Twentieth-Century or PHIL 2110 – Ancient

Additional Philosophy Programs within USHE:

Utah State University: Philosophy BA and BS and Minor

Several of our program courses transfer/articulate to the U’s philosophy program, including

PHIL 1120 – Social Ethics (transfers as either a core requirement or a philosophy elective)

PHIL 1250 – Reasoning and Rational Decision-Making (transfers as either a core requirement or a philosophy elective)

PHIL 1000 – Intro to Philosophy (transfers as one of their five required Philosophy electives)

PHIL 2300 – Environmental Ethics (transfers as one of their five required Philosophy electives)

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion (transfers as one of their five required Philosophy electives)

Utah Valley University: Philosophy BA/BS/Minor, Humanities BA/BS, Classical Studies Minor, etc.

Several of our program courses transfer/articulate to their major requirements, including

PHIL 1120 – Social Ethics (a UVU college-wide requirement)

PHIL 1000 – Introduction of Philosophy

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion

For USU and UVU, as well as for other USHE institutions like SUU, Snow and Dixie, we seek to create program articulation agreements similar to the SLCC Track agreement with the U. The following courses in our program currently articulate directly to all these USHE schools

PHIL 1120 – Social Ethics

PHIL 1250 – Reasoning and Rational Decision-Making

PHIL 1000 – Intro to Philosophy

PHIL 2300 – Environmental Ethics

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion

Religious Studies

University of Utah

University of Utah offers a BA in Religious Studies. Their program is interdisciplinary and draws their course offerings from 13 different departments and programs. A major in Religious Studies requires 3 core courses, 7 electives and a capstone. The University of Utah allows 12 credit hours of transfer coursework. The following courses have been accepted by the University of Utah:

RELS 2010 – Intro to Asian Religion and Philosophy (transfers as one of six electives in the Religious Studies Program)

RELS 2020 – Introduction to Buddhism (transfers as one of six electives in the Religious Studies program)

RELS 2030 – Introduction to Islam (transfers as one of six electives in the Religious Studies program)

RELS 2300 – World Religions (transfers in place of required core HIST 1210 or PHIL 3640 in the Religious Studies Program)

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion (transfers in place of PHIL 3600 in the Philosophy major and as one of six electives in the Religious Studies major)

The Middle East Studies Program at the University of Utah has a transfer agreement with SLCC to accept the following courses:

RELS 2030 – Introduction to Islam (transfers as one of two Middle East Studies Electives).

RELS 2300 – World Religions (transfers as one of two Middle East Studies Electives).

The Asian Studies program at the University of Utah has a transfer agreement with SLCC to accept the following courses:

RELS 2010 – Intro to Asian Religion/Philosophy (transfers as required core replacing HIST 1210)

RELS 2300 – World Religions (transfers as required core replacing HIST 1210)

RELS 2020 – Introduction to Buddhism (transfers as an elective)

Additional Notes on University of Utah articulation:

RELS 2400 – Religious Diversity in the U.S. (transfers as a general education course to the University of Utah. (Equivalent course, RELS 4790 American Religious History)

Utah State University

Utah State University offers a BA in Religious Studies. The program requires three core classes, two additional courses that represent interdisciplinary perspectives (Anthropology of Religion, Philosophy of Religion, American Religious History), and one course each in three different religious traditions. The department has no official statement about how many credits will transfer.

RELS 2010 – Intro to Asian Religion/ Philosophy (transfers as an elective)

RELS 2020 – Introduction to Buddhism (transfers as one of 3 required traditions course)

RELS 2030 – Introduction to Islam (transfers as one of 3 required traditions course)

RELS 2300 – World Religions (replaces core requirement RELS 1010: Introduction to Religious Studies)

RELS 2400 – Religious Diversity in the U.S. (transfers as an elective)

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion (transfers as one of two department requirements)

Other USHE Institutions

Utah Valley University offers a Religious Studies Minor with 12 core credits. The following will transfer as core requirements.

RELS 2300 – World Religions (replaces either RLST (PHIL) 1610 or 1620)

PHIL 2350 – Philosophy of Religion (replaces RLST (PHIL) 3600)

Dixie State University offers no Religious studies program but courses will articulate as General Education

RELS 2300 – World Religions (Equivalent course PHIL 2600 – World Religions)

RELS 2030 – Introduction to Islam (Equivalent course HIST/POLS 4400, Introduction to Islam)

Snow College offers no Religious studies program but courses will articulate as General Education

RELS 2300 – World Religions (Equivalent course: PHIL 2600 World Religions)

Weber State University offers no Religious studies program but courses will articulate as General Education

RELS 2400 – Religious Diversity in the US (Equivalent course HIST 3250 Religion in American History)

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx

Books: about $100 per semester for books and supplies (HuLa is committed to developing OER resources for students, having accomplished that for several courses in this program (e.g. PHIL 1000, HUMA 1100, HUMA 1010).

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is 4 semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase time to completion.

Program Student Learning Outcomes	Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
	1 - Acquire substantive knowledge 2 - Communicate effectively 3 - Develop quantitative literacies 4 - Think critically & creatively 5 - Become a community engaged learner 6 - Work in professional & constructive manner 7 - Develop computer & information literacy
Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge in Philosophy and/or Religious Studies to be able to transfer to a variety of four-year degrees. As such, they will demonstrate understandings of key concepts, events, schools of thought, personalities, questions, and belief systems, through exploration and analysis of a variety of modes of expression relating to the history, values, philosophies and beliefs or diverse cultures. And they will demonstrate familiarity and competence regarding key questions about the human condition and the values upon which those questions are based; as well as familiarity and competence regarding major figures, events, concepts, theories and ideologies related to Philosophy and/or Religious Studies.	1, 2, 4
Students will demonstrate competence in reading, viewing, writing and thinking critically and creatively within the disciplines of Philosophy and/or Religious Studies; and in articulating and conveying intended meaning effectively using verbal and non-verbal methods of communication. Specifically they will be able to: identify, analyze and evaluate arguments as they occur in their own and others’ work demonstrate improved facility in comprehension, interpretation, and argument and learn to situate the events and patterns, customs and beliefs, thoughts and symbols of people throughout time in their appropriate cultural contexts.	2, 4, 5, 6
Students will practice principles of critical analysis and expression that will enable them to respectfully and effectively participate in public life with those who differ in perspectives and positions on important issues.	4, 5, 6
Students will demonstrate the ability to make connections across disciplines, and will demonstrate critical thinking by questioning biases and engaging diverse perspectives. Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize and point out competing and alternative discourses beyond personal ideology.	4
Students will demonstrate understanding of the complexities involved in socially and cultural pressing philosophical issues, perspectives and approaches.	4, 5, 6