While not often a part of an individual’s required curriculum, philosophy and religion are universal topics that can impact one’s life and overall well-being, while helping them complete some Areas of Knowledge.

Pace’s Philosophy & Religious Studies Department is offering numerous option for students for the Spring 2015 semester.

For any interested in introducing themselves to philosophy as a subject, Philosophical Problems, PHI 110, is being taught in two sections by both Dr. Everette Mitchell and Dr. Lawrence Hundersmarck.

“The quest to understand the world and how we relate to the world motivates the search and study of many philosophical issues,” Mitchell said. “This is one of my favorite courses to teach because it allows me to re-examine these fundamental philosophical topics with new students who bring new perspectives to the adventure.”

Philosophical Problems is a three-credit course that can satisfy academic requirements such as AOK II, AOK V, and Inquiry & Exploration.

Ancient Philosophy, PHI 113, is advertised as an “exploration of ancient patterns of thought…from about 600 BCE to about 200 CE.”

Its topics include exploration of mankind’s relationship with both the physical and spiritual worlds.

This course is also worth three credits and can fulfill AOK II as well as Inquiry & Exploration requirements.

Normative Ethics, PHI 115, is a three-credit course, also being taught by Dr. Mitchell.

“[This course] deals with ethical theory applied to everyday, and, perhaps to some, less than everyday situations in the life of humans,” Dr. Mitchell said. “As we explore the questions related to how we should live, we drill down into how we should live in the context of a wide variety of issues and situations that confront us.”

For anyone with an interest in ethics, this course also helps satisfy AOK V, and Inquiry & Exploration requirements.

Modern Philosophy, PHI 116, being instructed by Professor Kobolakis, is another option for interested students.

This course is “a selective introduction to the works of philosophers from Descartes to Nietzsche,” and provides students with material for deep thought and reflection about how they view their own lives and how those who came before them viewed the world around them.

Last, but certainly not least, is Eastern Religious Thought, RES 202, taught by Dr. Hundersmarck.

This course “examines the great ideas in Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.”

While taking this course, students read about the basic principles and beliefs of each religious practice.

Students are provided the opportunity to read and evaluate texts and proverbs of each religion as well.

This course can satisfy academic requirements such as AOK III, is an Enhancement course, and provides Honors credit.