Welcome!

Philosophy and religion are integral to a liberal arts education, as they explore dimensions of human life which have had a profound and decisive effect on our conception of human nature, destiny, and action.

All courses in the department emphasize traditional liberal arts skills of thinking and writing. Close reading of primary texts and development of analytical skills allow students to explore ideas and values that form the basis of human civilization. Emphasis is also placed on expressing ideas clearly and persuasively through writing.

Religion classes help students acquire fundamental knowledge about the ideas and histories of religious traditions, and an appreciation for and tolerance of differing religious ideas, practices, and cultural expressions.

Philosophy classes help students acquire a fundamental grasp of western philosophical traditions; and a working acquaintance with and ability to participate in philosophical argumentation.

A major in Religion or Philosophy is excellent preparation for professions that deal with people’s concerns about meaning, value, and justice. These fields include:

• Education
• Law
• Ministry
• Medicine
• Public service
• Graduate work in a variety of disciplines
• Any profession that requires problem-solving, critical thinking, research, and writing

Why study Religion or Philosophy?

The Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa reported a the results of a survey of students majoring in theology at Georgetown University between 1970-2003. Of the 182 respondants, 33% had a bachelor's degree, 33% earned a master's degree, and 33% received a doctorate (JD, PhD, EdD, DDM, MD, or DMin).

25% are educators, 16% are in law, 12% medicine, 8% business, 7% non-profits, 5% government, 4% finance, 4% fine arts. Surprisingly, only 4% are in careers related to religion (clergy, missionaries, etc.). Other careers (each constituting 3% or less of respondents) include counseling, writing, homemaking, continuing eductaion, information technology, environmental science and culinary arts.

Many respondants "reported that their theology study and interaction with faculty and students had significantly influenced their life values and had increased their ability to think critically. . . to express themselves effectively and to strenghten and deepen their religious experience." (J. of TAK, Fall 2005, pp. 54-55)

The Faculty

(in alphabetical order)

Dr. John A. Laumakis Assistant Professor of Philosophy B.A., Lehigh University Ph.D., Marquette University Teaching Areas: History of Western Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, Philosophy of Religion Research Area: Medieval Philosophy Research Areas: Contact John A. Laumakis

Dr. Adam Porter Associate Professor of Religion B.A., Oberlin College M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School Ph.D., Duke University Teaching Areas: Hebrew Bible, Ancient Near Eastern Religions, New Testament, Art and Archaeology, Abrahamic Religions, Classical Hebrew, Computer Ethics, Religion and Film Research Areas: Second Temple Judaism (538 BCE-70 CE), Ancient Jews in Transjordan, Ethnicity, American Civil Religion Goto Adam Porter's Homepage Contact Adam Porter

Dr. Caryn Riswold Assistant Professor of Religion B. A., Augustana College, Sioux Falls M. A. T. S., Claremont School of Theology Th. M., Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Ph. D., Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Teaching Areas:Women & Religion, Contemporary Theology, Religion and Literature, Evil Research Areas: Feminist Theology, Luther and Lutheran Theology, Process Theology, Pedagogy in Religion, Race and Gender Issues in Theology, Atonement and Christology Goto Caryn Riswold's Homepage Contact Caryn Riswold

Dr. Paul Spalding Chair Joel Scarborough Professor of Religion B.A., University of Wisconsin M. Div., M.A., Yale University Ph.D., University of Iowa Teaching Areas: Biblical Survey, World Religions, Religion in Modern Culture Research Areas: Religion at the advent of modernity, particularly in Germany (1500-1815), the Enlightenment, censorship and intellectual control Goto Paul Spalding's Homepage Contact Paul Spalding

Dr. Axel Steuer Professor of Philosophy President of Illinois College A.B., Occidental College S.T.B., Harvard Divinity School M.A., Harvard University Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Emeritus Faculty

Dr. David Koss B.A., North Central College B.D., Evangelical Theological Seminary Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary Ph.D., Northwestern Univeristy

Dr. Royce Jones Edward Capps Professor of Humanities B.A., M.A., Texas Christian University B.D., Duke University Ph.D., University of Oklahoma Contact Royce Jones

Goto Top

Departmental News

There is nothing new under the sun. . .

Goto Top

Publications by Department Members

Members of our department have published several books, which are available at the IC Bookstore, including:

Royce Jones, Foundations of Critical Thinking (Wadsworth, 2000)

John A. Laumakis, The Procession of the World (Marquette University Press, 2002)

Adam L. Porter, Introducing the Bible: An Active Learning Approach (Prentice Hall, 2005)

Caryn D. Riswold, Coram Deo: Human Life in the Vision of God (Wipf & Stock, 2006) and
Two Reformers: Martin Luther and Mary Daly as Political Theologians (Wipf & Stock, 2007)

Paul Spalding, Seize the Book, Jail the Author (Purdue Univ Press, 1998)

If you want more information on Professor Jones' book, Wadsworth has a web-page devoted to Foundations of Critical Thinking.

Goto Top

Academic Honors and Awards

Philosophy and Religion majors are eligible for several prizes, including:

• Goldsborough Award: to a junior or senior demonstrating breadth and depth of accomplishment in music, art, literature, science, or philosophy; competence in oral and written English required; established by family and friends of John Mark Goldsborough, 1978.

• Fred Hoskins Christian Influence Award: To a senior in recognition of effective Christian influence on the campus; established by Mrs. Hoskins (Alice Gardner, 1929).

• William Ireland Prize in Philosophy (Class of 1845): For the best paper on an assigned topic in philosophy.

• Mabel Kampert Koss Memorial Award: awarded to a student finishing the sophomore or junior year and majoring in the humanities (philosophy, religion, English, foreign language, history.)

Theta Alpha Kappa, the Religion Honor Society

Religion Majors may also be considered for membership in Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for students in Religion Studies/Theology. To qualify, students must meet the following requirements:

• Junior status at Illinois College

• Completed at least five (5) courses in religion, with at least two (2) courses at the 300-level or above (which could include HIST 358, HIST 332, HIST 333)

• GPA of 3.5 in religion courses (which could include HIST 358, HIST 332, HIST 333)

• GPA of 3.0 in total academic program

• Ranked in the upper 35% of their class in general scholarship

• Senior religion minors who have some eligible courses in progress, with very reasonable chance of completion as verified by the professor, may also be considered for induction