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Philosophy: Offering More Than Many Realize
By Melissa McCutchan, CIU Student Writer
A new undergraduate major at Columbia International
University may surprise some people for its academic and
career possibilities.
The Philosophy program, formerly only offered as a minor,
is beneficial to students who intend to pursue graduate or
seminary degrees, but is also foundational for many careers
that only require a bachelor’s degree.
Program Director Dr. Glenn Gentry says the Philosophy major
is designed to prepare students for entrance into various
graduate school programs by emphasizing critical thinking and
writing.
“Essentially, it’s taking the Christian narrative into the areas
of academics and professional training, trying to ground our
people well in their Christian identity and give them good
skills,” Gentry said.
Students may choose from three tracks: pre-law, pre-seminary,
or general preparation for graduate school. However, Gentry
expects CIU’s Philosophy program graduates to be able to
flourish in the working world even if they choose not to pursue
advanced degrees.
“Statistics show that students who major in philosophy in
undergrad will rise higher in career advancement in the first
year than any other degree,” Gentry said. “If you’ve worked
hard in an undergrad philosophy program, you can probably
write pretty well, you can probably think pretty well, and you’re
probably going to do very well when you get into the real
world.”
During the program, Philosophy students will intern in law or
seminary offices, or they will present a paper at an academic
conference. Students will take many classes that are already
offered under the Humanities program, and will also take some
new classes, such as Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of
Law.
Gentry says some students are hesitant to major in philosophy
because they’re concerned it will challenge their worldview.
“This type of philosophy program is intended to strengthen
traditional Christianity, it’s not meant to challenge and change
that belief,” Gentry said. “It’s meant to strengthen students’
Christian worldview so that they can compete anywhere in the
world. They can go into a secular law school and maintain their
faith.”
After taking several introductory philosophy courses at CIU,
junior Lance Kaminer switched to the Philosophy major
because he wanted to develop his mind and prepare for
graduate school.
“One should not ask, ‘What will my studies do for me?’, instead
one should ask ‘What will my studies do to me?’” Kaminer said.
“It is about allowing Philosophy to grow, teach, and challenge
you in a way that another major (cannot).”
Professor Gentry says the Philosophy program offers ambitious
goals for students. He says it aims to produce students who
are excellent thinkers and communicators, who will both score
well on graduate school entrance exams and be able to defend
their faith in secular contexts.
“We’re stepping out into the mainstream, but we’re doing it in
the way that (secular colleges) can’t do it,” Gentry said. “We’re
doing it with deep foundational beliefs. You need a Christian
narrative to hold (philosophy) together, and really make sense
of psychology and science and history and draw it all together
into one narrative.”
“Statistics show
that students who
major in philosophy
in undergrad will
rise higher in career
advancement in the
first year than any
other degree.”
–Dr. Glenn Gentry
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