PhD in Philosophy and Critical Thought
This area of study aims to examine religious concepts, beliefs, languages, and experience with the tools of philosophy and critical theory- thus exploring ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, and questioning aesthetic, social, historical, and ideological dynamics that undergird these religious beliefs and attitudes. Students and faculty seek to question the canon and the margins, past and future, and phenomena whose religious dimension might be obvious or less apparent. The range of questions and conversations can encompass scientific, political, financial, and societal issues. In addition to coursework in the Department of Religion, students are encouraged to take classes in Philosophy, Comparative Literature, Political Science, Media studies, Neuroscience and Economics—to name a few—depending on their background and research project.