After the brief description of each course, the prerequisites for the course are given and also when the course is offered, e.g., Fall.

This degree program is primarily designed for brother candidates. Since brothers are trained in many occupations and professions, the Associate of Arts degree provides a foundation for further academic studies or advanced training in technical fields.

Fulfilling the Language Proficiency Requirement

In order to graduate from Divine Word College, students must be proficient in using one modern language other than English. Students must demonstrate this proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Acceptable standards for this proficiency are the "intermediate/low" guidelines described in the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL-Proficiency Guidelines: Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking, 1986). Students are usually assessed for proficiency early in their academic career. If they pass the assessment test in all areas, their proficiency requirement is met. If not, they are placed appropriately in language courses taught at the College. Under normal circumstances, the required proficiency level is reached within four semesters of language study in the following courses taught at the College:  Fundamental French I and II, Intermediate French I and II, Fundamental Spanish I and II, Intermediate Spanish I and II, Fundamental Vietnamese I and II, Intermediate Vietnamese I and II.

Special cases:

• Graduates of a secondary school taught in a language other than English meet the proficiency requirement.

• For students from Commonwealth systems, having passed an A-level exam in a modern foreign language other than English constitutes acceptable proficiency.

• Transfer students who have studied language in courses at other United States colleges are required to demonstrate proficiency.

• If a student grows up in a single language environment in early childhood and continues to make substantial use of the language after that time, he is deemed to be proficient in that language.

A student does not gain academic credit by demonstrating language proficiency, but does gain the opportunity to take elective courses instead of the required language courses.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Objectives and Degree Requirements

General Objectives

The Philosophy program strives to foster an awareness of philosophical problems basic to understanding the nature of being, knowledge, the human person, the good life and the good society.  Students are challenged to read primary works by historically important philosophers and to enter into reflective dialogue with them.  The program presents different philosophical views assisting students to discover the underlying principles and methods of these views and to critically assess them.  The program seeks to help students, in the course of their studies, to experience the integration of philosophy with life and to begin development of their own Christian philosophy.  In the Senior Seminar, the capstone course for the Philosophy program, students are asked to do this integration.  See "Assessment in the Major".

Student Learning Outcomes:

Graduates with a major in philosophy should have the requisite knowledge and critical skills to:

• read and understand, in significant detail, primary works of great philosophers;

• recognize problems and/or solutions encountered in philosophical works, be able to critically assess the corresponding strengths and weaknesses of these problems and/or solutions and pose alternatives;

• be able to think and write philosophically by using analytical and research skills;

• understand both the distinction and interconnection between the basic philosophical areas of human nature, metaphysics, ethics, epistemology and logic;

• begin to formulate a Christian philosophical view of their own;

• detect philosophical ideas, arguments, and assumptions in fields such as film, literature, music, art, science and theology;

• be able to utilize diverse methods of reasoning in recognizing and evaluating good and bad arguments and have the ability to apply these skills to philosophical argumentation.

B.A. in Philosophy Curriculum

A grade of "D-" or above is required on each of the four parts of the Philosophy Comprehensive Exam, described under "General Requirements for a Degree. Assessment Program".  In addition, a grade of "D-" or above is required on the Senior Capstone Philosophy Paper, also described under "General Requirements for a Degree, Assessment Program".

Cross-Cultural Studies Minor

The Cross-Cultural Studies minor acquaints students with cultural diversity and develops their ability to understand cultural systems other than their own.  Students learn the role of missions in other cultures.  They take courses that introduce them to world cultures and focus on specific regions of the world.

All students majoring in Philosophy will earn a minor in Cross-Cultural Studies. The normal Cross-Cultural Studies minor is 18 credit hours. It requires: SSC 163 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, CCS 370 Introduction to Missiology,  CCS 275 Culture Area Study. The remaining 9 credit hours may be from any of the other courses required in the Cross-Cultural Studies major (ART 376, CCS 341, ENG 354, ENS 311, MUS 376 and the sequence CCS 281, 282, 2983).

B.A. in Cross-Cultural Studies Curriculum

                            *CCS/PHI 219             Asian Philosophy                                                                                         3

                                        *                      May be applied to both the Cross-Cultural Studies major electives and the 30 semester hours

                                                                of philosophy required by the 2006 PPF.

 A grade of "D-" or above is required on the Cross-Cultural Studies Comprehensive Examination, described under "General Requirements for a Degree, Assessment Program".

Philosophy Minor

Unless special arrangements are made, students majoring in Cross-Cultural Studies will earn a minor in Philosophy.  For those individuals studying for the brotherhood and seeking a B.A. degree, arrangements can be made to pursue a minor other than philosophy.

The philosophy minor introduces the students to major philosophical questions.  It challenges them to read primary works by historically important philosophers and to enter into a reflective dialogue with them.  Students in the minor begin to see the integration of philosophy with life.  The Philosophy minor is 18 credit hours.  It requires PHI 115 Ancient Philosophy, PHI 217 Modern Philosophy, PHI 122 Ethics, PHI 332 Metaphysics and two electives.  A recommended elective is PHI 371 Philosophy of God.

Currently, candidates for the priesthood complete 30 semester credits in philosophy and 12 semester credits in theology to fulfill the Program for Priestly Formation (PPF. Article 178, 179) requirements.  See also "Special Requirements" in this catalog for further details.  There are also prerequisites for the CTU Track II M.Div. degree.

Theology Minor

Along with the Philosophy or Cross-Cultural Studies minors, students have the option of earning a second minor in Theology.

The Theology minor introduces students to the writings and themes of the Sacred Scriptures.  It gives a general overview of the major topics of contemporary Christian theology and the major world religions.  Students also have the opportunity to take courses in Christian Spirituality, Sexual Ethics, Christology, and other theological fields.  The Brotherhood Formation Program requires all Brotherhood candidates to earn the Theology minor.

Part One:    Required Courses                                            12 Credit Hours

THE 131        Introduction to Theology                                3 credits

THE 111        Old Testament                                                    3 credits

THE 212        New Testament                                                  3 credits   

THE 293        World Religions                                                 3 credits

 

Part Two:   Elective Courses                                                6 Credit Hours

At least two of the following for three (3) credit hours each.

THE 233        Sacraments                                                         3 credits

THE 315        Special Topics in Sacred Scriptures                       3 credits

THE 335        Special Topics in Christian Teaching                      3 credits

THE 355        Special Topics in Moral Theology                          3 credits

THE 375        Special Topics in Church, Ministry & Liturgy          3 credits

 

 

Special Requirements

Candidates for Brotherhood

Requirements will be met by pursuing the associate degree or the baccalaureate degree.

CANDIDATES FOR PRIESTHOOD

• Philosophy Minor

Currently, candidates for the priesthood must have taken 30 semester credits in philosophy and 12 semester credits in theology (Program for Priestly Formation (PPF), article 178, 179).  This includes either the major in philosophy or the 18 semester credit minor in philosophy, plus 12 additional semester credits in philosophy to be composed of Logic (PHI 102) and Epistemology (PHI 322).  There are also pre-requisite requirements for the CTU Track II M.Div. degree.

• Theology

The PPF (article 179) currently requires 12 semester credits in theology.  Divine Word College encourages all students to enroll in elective theology courses after completion of the required theology courses of THE 131 Introduction to Theology, THE 111 Old Testament, THE 212 New Testament and THE 293 World Religions.

• Other 

Candidates for the priesthood are required to fulfill the academic entrance requirements of their prospective major seminary.

(NOTE:  CTU-M.Div. (Track II) -- has an entrance requirement of 30 semester credits in philosophy and 12 semester credits in theology.)