Philosophy and Religion

We hold a Tuesday Tea for socializing with department professors, majors and minors. This is held in the McMurran first floor snack area, just outside of Philosophy and Religion faculty offices. We have tea and light cakes and cookies each Tuesday from 10:40-11:30 a.m.

About three nights a semester, we offer free movies with discussion. Movies are chosen for their potential for fun philosophical insights. Past movies have included "The Hobbit," "The Matrix," "Fight Club," "The Social Network" and "Dogma." If you are interested in this semester’s movies, please contact Dr. Eric Silverman.

This is a club of students who like to discuss what is on their minds. Sometimes they choose from something in the news that day, other times they choose the age old questions of "What is ...?" The idea behind this group, though, is to learn how to think, not what to think. This group is entirely student-driven. Socrates Cafe promotes thoughtful and reflective philosophical sharing. In the Socrates Cafe, members discuss topics from differing viewpoints to expand their thinking in more imaginative, intellectual and empathetic ways. For more information about topics and meeting times, contact Dr. Elizabeth Jelinek, faculty adviser to the club.

Phi Sigma Tau is the international honor society in philosophy.

Goals of Phi Sigma Tau:

• To serve as a means of awarding distinction to students having high scholarship and personal interest in philosophy
• To promote student interest in research and advanced study in this field
• To provide opportunities for the publication of student research papers of merit
• To encourage a professional spirit and friendship among those who have displayed marked ability in this field
• To popularize interest in philosophy among the general collegiate public

Requirements for membership:

• Completion of the equivalent of one year of full-time study and at least three philosophy courses
• Overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2
• GPA in philosophy courses of at least 3.0
• Rank in the top 35 percent of the graduating class

Students not meeting the requirements for membership with an interest in becoming a member may become chapter associates.

Contact Dr. Dawn Hutchinson, dhutchin@cnu.edu, for additional information and an application.

Theta Alpha Kappa is the national honor society for religious studies. CNU has the Alpha Theta Epsilon chapter of TAK.

Goals of Theta Alpha Kappa:

• To encourage excellence in the study of religion or theology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• To recognize excellence in scholarly and academic achievements;
• And to help foster and maintain excellence in the professional academic study of religion

Requirements for membership:

• Completion of at least three semesters at CNU
• Completion of at least four religion courses (12 credit hours)
• GPA of at least 3.5 in religion courses and 3.0 overall
• Ranked in top 35 percent of class

For additional information, contact Dr. Dawn Hutchinson, Dr. John Thompson or Dr. Hussam Timani, Theta Alpha Kappa advisers.