Philosophy and Religious Studies

Accreditation Info

Philosophy and Religious Studies

The Philosophy and Religious Studies department prepares students to carry out Marywood's goal for all students: learning to live responsibly in an interdependent world. Religious Studies majors experience a comprehensive overview of the religious beliefs, practices, and values of Christianity and Judaism, as well as other religious traditions. Special attention is given to the Catholic tradition, but course offerings are broad enough to benefit students of all traditions. Philosophy majors take an exciting intellectual journey with the greatest minds that have ever lived and receive excellent preparation for a professional career in law, medicine, business, education, government, or further graduate study. The department offers different tracks for both majors and minors. In the Bioethics Certificate Program, students learn how to think through complex ethical issues

Undergraduate Programs

Environmental Studies - Humanities

Environmental Studies - Justice

Environmental Studies - Science

Philosophy

Religious Studies

Bioethics

Accreditations

Institutional:
Middles States Commission on Higher Education

About The Philosophy and Religious Studies Department

The Philosophy and Religious Studies Mission

The Religious Studies Program is central to the Marywood experience. Every student takes several courses in religious studies as part of Marywood's liberal arts core curriculum. An accurate understanding of religion prepares one to be a responsible citizen in this diverse and interdependent world.

The Philosophy Program promotes the development of the person as an individual and as a meaningful contributor to society. The primary goal of philosophy courses is to address some of life's ultimate questions, to enable to students to lead a more substantive and meaningful life. Philosophical reflection on the ultimate questions should lead to reasoned foundations conducive to support for human values; to an awareness of a duty to work for justice, compassion, and peace; and to the integrated and rich human life worth living, thus providing students the abilities and opportunities to be more responsible for the interdependent world in which they find themselves.

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Philosophy and Religious Studies Faculty

Our faculty members have diverse backgrounds and experiences and are sensitive to your needs and goals. We're eager to help you answer Marywood's call to live responsibly in an interdependent world.

Krokus, Dr. Melinda

Program Coordinator (Phil/RST)
Associate Professor
krokus@marywood.edu
570-348-6211 x2169

Bio

Deep, Sahar Raman

Lecturer
srdeep@marywood.edu

Bio

Dewey, Bryan

Lecturer
bdewey@marywood.edu

Bio

Egocheaga, Kevin M

Lecturer
kmegocheaga@marywood.edu

Bio

Gowe, Bruce E

Lecturer
bgowe@marywood.edu

Bio

Hawkins, Sr. Nancy M

Associate Professor of Practice
nhawkins@marywood.edu
570-348-6211 x6071

Bio

Jenkins, Dr. Philip W

Associate Professor
pjenkins@marywood.edu
570-348-6211 x2972

Bio

Lewis, Llewelyn B

Bio

Placke, Alexander S

Lecturer
asplacke@marywood.edu

Bio

Rusk, William R

Lecturer
wrrusk@marywood.edu

Bio

Simmons, Dr. Aaron

Associate Professor
asimmons@marywood.edu
570-348-6211 x2305

Bio

Skierski II, Stephen M

Lecturer
sskierski@marywood.edu

Bio

Spitzer, Jeffrey A

Lecturer
jaspitzer@marywood.edu

Bio

Vanpelt, Dustin

Lecturer
dvanpelt@marywood.edu

Bio

Vanston, Douglas

Lecturer
dvanston@marywood.edu

Bio

White, David Alan

Bio

Yanik, Kathryn

Lecturer
kwindels@marywood.edu

Bio

Facilities & Technology

Liberal Arts Center

Liberal Arts Center Classrooms

Learning Commons

Learning Commons Computer Labs

Clubs

Socrates Cafe
Students, staff, faculty and visitors meet monthly in the Learning Commons for lively discussions on wide-ranging topics. Typically, the assembled group proposes topics and then decides democratically which will be the focus of the session's discussions; thereafter the topic is addressed from all angles, with everyone getting their fair say.

Agape Latte

Abide: Women's Ministry

Food Recovery Network

Students Organized to Uphold Life (SOUL)

Student Resources

Commencement Medals

Czachor Medal for Academic Excellence in Religious Studies
The Czachor Medal for Academic Excellence in Religious Studies was founded by the Czachor family of Archbald, PA, and was first awarded in 1975. To be eligible, a student must be a graduating senior with a major or minor in Religious Studies. Minors must have completed 15 credits in religious studies.

Evaluation Criteria

Up to four (4) points will be awarded to each student for his/her overall Q.P.A.
Up to four (4) points will be awarded to each student for his/her Q.P.A. in religious studies. In order to be eligible, a student must have a minimum Q.P.A. of 3.0 in religious studies.
The student with the highest combined number of points will receive the medal.
The student with the second highest number of combined points will receive Honorable Mention.
If a tie occurs, the following considerations will be weighed in order to determine the winner: 1) total number of religious studies courses completed and 2) service to the department.

Mary Pace Medal for Excellence in Philosophy
The Mary Pace Medal was founded by Reverend William Pace in memory of his mother, Mary Pace, to honor a graduating senior who has demonstrated, according to the criteria stated below, an understanding of and appreciation for philosophical inquiry. Students do not need to major or minor in Philosophy in order to qualify for this prestigious award. All graduating seniors are invited to submit papers for consideration in the competition for the Pace Medal.

To compete, three things must be done. One, complete three courses in philosophy by the end of the Fall semester in the year you are to graduate. Course work counts 10%. Students seeking the Gold Medal must maintain a 3.25 QPA overall as well as in Philosophy.

Two, write an essay of approximately four to eight pages. Essays count 50%. Use proper format, e.g. essay must be typed, double-spaced, title page with name, local address and phone number, and so on. Essays must be submitted to a faculty member of the philosophy program no later than February 1 of graduating year. A submitted essay may be a formal research paper or an informal creative essay, but it must present an argument supporting the student’s opinion on a significant philosophical subject. And it may be a paper that was submitted for a course and revised for the competition or one especially written for the competition. Essays must meet the objectives of the department as stated in the catalog, i.e., you should write a philosophical essay that is a clear, coherent exposition of a concept, problem or theory, which demonstrates the ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize the matter discussed.

Three, participate as a finalist. To be eligible for an interview as a finalist, a student’s paper must receive an overall assessment as being above average by a majority of the philosophy faculty. Such participation involves an approximately 20 minute informal student-faculty discussion based on your essay and certain specific questions.

What is philosophy? In the course of your answer be prepared to discuss at least two major areas of philosophy of your choosing (epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, etc.).
What is the value of philosophy to you personally, and what role will philosophy have in your future?
From your course work in philosophy, whom do you consider a great philosopher and why?
What is a significant philosophical position you are convinced is correct? Come ready to explain and defend your conviction.
Informal discussion, which counts 40%, will be conducted in a relaxed atmosphere. You will be notified regarding specific time and place.

Questions on the competition are available from Dr. Aaron Simmons at asimmons@marywood.edu.

Religious Studies Resources:

Theology Library
Provides a comprehensive treatment of various aspects of theology.
www.shc.edu/theolibrary

America Magazine
A weekly publication, with selected articles available online.
www.americamagazine.org

National Catholic Reporter
A weekly publication, with selected articles available online.
www.natcath.org

US Catholic
A weekly publication, with selected articles available online.
www.uscatholic.org

Documents of Popes, Bishops, and Councils About Justice and Peace
Contains a wealth of documents related to Catholic social justice teachings.
www.justpeace.org

Network: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Provides a voice within the Catholic community calling for peace and economic justice.
www.networklobby.org

Bread for the World
Bread for the World seeks justice and the end to hunger.
www.bread.org

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The USCCB is an assembly of Catholic Church bishops who work together to unify, coordinate, promote and carry on the work of the Catholic Church in the U.S.
www.usccb.org

Vatican: The Holy See
Official Web Site of the Vatican.
www.vatican.va

The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
http://pluralism.org

Biblical Archeology Review
Provides biblical and archeological news and select articles online.
www.bib-arch.org

Catholic News Service
Major source of Catholic news.
https://catholicnews.com/

We offer the following as places to begin a search for material about a philosopher, a philosophical work, ideas, theories, or principles. By no means do the following websites begin to cover the vast number of web sites available in Philosophy.

General Philosophy Websites:

Philosophy Pages provides some excellent introductory material to Philosophy. The site contains a dictionary of philosophical terms, a one-page overview of over thirty philosophers, a section on logic, a guide to the history of Western philosophy, and a timeline for Western philosophers. There are web links virtually everywhere throughout the site, so it is relatively easy to follow through on any specific philosophical quest.

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy contains excellent entries on many philosophers and branches of philosophy.

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy contains good overviews of philosophers' ideas.

Bartleby defines itself as follows: "The preeminent Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse providing students, researchers and the intellectually curious with unlimited access to books and information on the web, free of charge." Check it out.

Bioethics:

Religious Tolerance offers a general view of the controversy concerning physician-assisted suicide as well as statistics.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is the main advocate for global action on HIV and AIDS.

The National Transplant Society provides current statistics and background information on the allocation of transplantable organs in the United States.

The United Network for Organ Sharing offers information on and explanation of organ sharing with "quick links" to data and resources.

The President's Council on Bioethics contains government information on numerous ethical issues in biomedical science and technology.

Human Genome Project Information provides, obviously, information on the human genome project.

Philosophy of Religion:

Judaism 101 gives an account of thirteen principles of Jewish Faith, G-d's attributes, human nature, the Messiah and the three categories of Jews.

General Information on Islam contains a summary of Islamic belief in God, angels, the Koran and the prophets. A brief piece on Muhammed's life, the five pillars of Islam, terrorism and the jihad are also included.

Hinduism: The World's Oldest Religion provides a general introduction to Hinduism followed by a treatment of the Hindu Trinity, puja (daily prayer), the Bhagavad Gita, Hindu classes and castes, the four periods of Hindu life, karma, the major schools about the relationship between humans and Truth.

Buddhist Information and Education Network recounts the life of the Buddha, the basic tenets of Buddhism, the four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the five precepts, the three jewels of Buddhism, and the various groups of Buddhists.

Critical Thinking/Logic:

Logic contains very good general background information on logic in general and formal and informal reasoning in particular; as one might "deduce," this is the logic section from Philosophy Pages.

Logic and Fallacies (from "The Atheism Web") contains an introduction to logic and, like the previous site, a formidable list of informal fallacies, also with definition and example; yes, even atheists must be logical.

Other

Brien McChesney

Featured Pacer Profile

Brien works at Marywood as a Campus Minister, and his job allows him to continue doing what he was passionate about as an undergraduate—sharing the faith and empowering students.
Read More

Philosophy and Religion Events

All Administrative Offices Closed

Dec 23 Academic Dates Mon, Dec 23, 12:00AM - Thu, Jan 2, 12:00AM

All Administrative Offices Closed

Date/Time: Ongoing through Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

Email Reminder

New Year’s Day

Jan 01 Academic Dates Wed, Jan 1, 12:00AM - Thu, Jan 2, 12:00AM

New Year’s Day

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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All Administrative Offices Reopen

Jan 02 Academic Dates Thu, Jan 2, 12:00AM - Fri, Jan 3, 12:00AM

All Administrative Offices Reopen

Date/Time: Thursday, January 2, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Registration Begins for Summer Classes

Jan 06 Academic Dates Mon, Jan 6, 12:00AM - Tue, Jan 7, 12:00AM

Registration Begins for Summer Classes

Date/Time: Monday, January 6, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner)

Jan 12 Academic Dates Sun, Jan 12, 12:00AM - Mon, Jan 13, 12:00AM

University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner)

Date/Time: Sunday, January 12, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Spring Semester Classes Begin

Jan 13 Academic Dates Mon, Jan 13, 12:00AM - Tue, Jan 14, 12:00AM

Spring Semester Classes Begin

Date/Time: Monday, January 13, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed

Jan 20 Academic Dates Mon, Jan 20, 12:00AM - Tue, Jan 21, 12:00AM

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed

Date/Time: Monday, January 20, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed.

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No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed.

Last day to register/add classes.

Jan 21 Academic Dates Tue, Jan 21, 12:00AM - Wed, Jan 22, 12:00AM

Last day to register/add classes.

Date/Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Spring Semester Classes Resume

Jan 21 Academic Dates Tue, Jan 21, 12:00AM - Wed, Jan 22, 12:00AM

Spring Semester Classes Resume

Date/Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Mid-Semester Examinations Begin

Mar 03 Academic Dates Mon, Mar 3, 12:00AM - Tue, Mar 4, 12:00AM

Mid-Semester Examinations Begin

Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Spring Break (Through 03/15)

Mar 08 Academic Dates Sat, Mar 8, 12:00AM - Mon, Mar 17, 12:00AM

Spring Break (Through 03/15)

Date/Time: Saturday, March 8 – Sunday, March 16, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner)

Mar 16 Academic Dates Sun, Mar 16, 12:00AM - Mon, Mar 17, 12:00AM

University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner)

Date/Time: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Spring Semester Classes Resume.

Mar 17 Academic Dates Mon, Mar 17, 12:00AM - Tue, Mar 18, 12:00AM

Spring Semester Classes Resume.

Date/Time: Monday, March 17, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Undergraduate Quarterly Grades Due By 5 P.M.

Mar 18 Academic Dates Tue, Mar 18, 12:00AM - Wed, Mar 19, 12:00AM

Undergraduate Quarterly Grades Due By 5 P.M.

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Classes

Mar 28 Academic Dates Fri, Mar 28, 12:00AM - Sat, Mar 29, 12:00AM

Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Classes

Date/Time: Friday, March 28, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Easter Holiday Begins at Conclusion of Classes

Apr 16 Academic Dates Wed, Apr 16, 12:00AM - Thu, Apr 17, 12:00AM

Easter Holiday Begins at Conclusion of Classes

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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University Housing Closes at 8 P.M. (Last Meal Served is Dinner)

Apr 16 Academic Dates Wed, Apr 16, 12:00AM - Thu, Apr 17, 12:00AM

University Housing Closes at 8 P.M. (Last Meal Served is Dinner)

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Holy Thursday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Open

Apr 17 Academic Dates Thu, Apr 17, 12:00AM - Fri, Apr 18, 12:00AM

Holy Thursday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Open

Date/Time: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Good Friday: No classes, All Administrative Offices Closed

Apr 18 Academic Dates Fri, Apr 18, 12:00AM - Sat, Apr 19, 12:00AM

Good Friday: No classes, All Administrative Offices Closed

Date/Time: Friday, April 18, 2025
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Holy Saturday … All Administrative Offices Closed

Apr 19 Academic Dates Sat, Apr 19, 12:00AM - Sun, Apr 20, 12:00AM

Holy Saturday … All Administrative Offices Closed

Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Easter Monday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed

Apr 21 Academic Dates Mon, Apr 21, 12:00AM - Tue, Apr 22, 12:00AM

Easter Monday: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed

Date/Time: Monday, April 21, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner)

Apr 21 Academic Dates Mon, Apr 21, 12:00AM - Tue, Apr 22, 12:00AM

University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner)

Date/Time: Monday, April 21, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Spring Semester Classes Resume

Apr 22 Academic Dates Tue, Apr 22, 12:00AM - Wed, Apr 23, 12:00AM

Spring Semester Classes Resume

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Monday Classes Meet

Apr 23 Academic Dates Wed, Apr 23, 12:00AM - Thu, Apr 24, 12:00AM

Monday Classes Meet

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
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Classes Meet

May 05 Academic Dates Mon, May 5, 12:00AM - Tue, May 6, 12:00AM

Classes Meet

Date/Time: Monday, May 5, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Spring Semester Ends

May 10 Academic Dates Sat, May 10, 12:00AM - Sun, May 11, 12:00AM

Spring Semester Ends

Date/Time: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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University Housing Closes at 10 A.M. for Non-Graduating Students

May 10 Academic Dates Sat, May 10, 12:00AM - Sun, May 11, 12:00AM

University Housing Closes at 10 A.M. for Non-Graduating Students

Date/Time: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Final Grades Due by Noon

May 13 Academic Dates Tue, May 13, 12:00AM - Wed, May 14, 12:00AM

Final Grades Due by Noon

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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107th Annual Commencement Ceremony

May 17 Off Campus Event Sat, May 17, 12:00AM - Sun, May 18, 12:00AM

107th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Date/Time: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Location: Off Campus Event

Marywood University's 107th Annual Commencement Ceremony held at Mohegan Sun Arena.

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Marywood University's 107th Annual Commencement Ceremony held at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Summer Session I Begins

May 19 Academic Dates Mon, May 19, 12:00AM - Tue, May 20, 12:00AM

Summer Session I Begins

Date/Time: Monday, May 19, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Summer Session III Begins

May 19 Academic Dates Mon, May 19, 12:00AM - Tue, May 20, 12:00AM

Summer Session III Begins

Date/Time: Monday, May 19, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Memorial Day: No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed.

May 26 Academic Dates Mon, May 26, 12:00AM - Tue, May 27, 12:00AM

Memorial Day: No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed.

Date/Time: Monday, May 26, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Last Day to Register/ Add Classes for Summer III Session

May 27 Academic Dates Tue, May 27, 12:00AM - Wed, May 28, 12:00AM

Last Day to Register/ Add Classes for Summer III Session

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Summer Session I & III Classes Resume

May 27 Academic Dates Tue, May 27, 12:00AM - Wed, May 28, 12:00AM

Summer Session I & III Classes Resume

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Juneteenth Day (Online Hours to Supplant Lost Day) No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed

Jun 19 Academic Dates Thu, Jun 19, 12:00AM - Fri, Jun 20, 12:00AM

Juneteenth Day (Online Hours to Supplant Lost Day) No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed

Date/Time: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Summer Session I & III Classes Resume

Jun 20 Academic Dates Fri, Jun 20, 12:00AM - Sat, Jun 21, 12:00AM

Summer Session I & III Classes Resume

Date/Time: Friday, June 20, 2025
Location: Academic Dates

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Design Your Future Summer Overnight Camp 2025

Jun 21 Center for Architectural Studies 105 Sat, Jun 21, 2:00PM - Sat, Jun 28, 3:00PM

Design Your Future Summer Overnight Camp 2025

Date/Time: Saturday, June 21, 2pm – Saturday, June 28, 2025, 3pm EDT
Location: Center for Architectural Studies 105

DESIGN your FUTURE
an inside architecture + design summer 2025 program

June 21, 2025 @ 2 pm through June 28, 2025 @ 3 pm
Students enrolled in the Design your Future Program will be
actively participating in a combination of fun design projects and competitions,
organized and guided by Marywood University's experienced faculty.

Students will be exposed to a number of practical and theoretical questions presented
as part of guest lecture and workshop series, and will have the opportunity
to converse with practicing architects and designers.

Design your Future Program 2025, accepts students who will be starting
their Fall ’25 academic year as rising juniors, seniors, or as high school graduates.
The DyF'25 in-residence program, will be housed in Marywood's Center for Architectural Studies,
Students will be assigned individual desks and will have the opportunity of using the
same spaces as our undergraduate and graduate students. Furthermore,
students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity of seeing in action
various laboratories and shops (wood/metal/3D printing/CNC router/laser cutting/etc.)

Design your Future Program 2025 is designed with the desire of an immersive experience,
engaging students in a number of demonstrations anchored to the Architecture,
Interior Architecture, and Construction Management Programs. The program’s principal goal
is to reach out to a wide group of high school students. The program considers diversity
and inclusivity to be important factors in the establishing of an
affordable participation fee of $1,150.

The program fee includes:
- overnight stay in a room shared with one roommate)
- three daily meals served in the dining hall
- day trip (transportation and tickets) to an amusement park
- supplies for all program’s daily activities

Design your Future Program 2025 will accept registrations until the maximum number
of students has been reached or until May 30th 2025.
Full amount is due at the time of registration.
Full refund can only be issued on or before May 16th 2025.

Drop off - June 21, 2025 @ 2pm

Pick up - June 28, 2025 @ 3pm

Secure your Spot!

DyF '25
Program Director
Arian Korkuti, Ph.D.
akorkuti@marywood.edu

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DESIGN your FUTUREan inside architecture + design summer 2025 ...