 Dr. Steven Greiert, Chairperson |
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Philosophy offers a broad range of general education and upper-level courses covering the fields of philosophy, religious studies, and integrated humanities. It offers students with majors in other fields the opportunity to be engaged in areas of philosophical investigation typically available at four-year institutions. It also provides some upper-level courses useful for pre-professional education. The philosophy area contributes to the development of a strong academic culture on campus through the sponsorship of special lectures, events and seminars on topics in the area of ethics and public policy and in other areas of philosophical, religious studies, and integrated humanities research. Students can complete a strong and diverse course of study in philosophy within the parameters of the BIS degree program. Students who wish to complete a philosophy major at other institutions can acquire appropriate general background in the primary areas of contemporary philosophical investigation. Both a Minor in Philosophy and a Minor in Humanities are available. Geography is the study of how humans spatially interact with the physical environment. Geographers seek to describe, relate and explain the natural and cultural phenomena that distinguish places around the world. Studying geography increases students' ability to analyze complex situations, events, trends, and draw logical inferences from them. Geography often functions as a bridge between the natural sciences and the social sciences; its perspective on the location of phenomena makes it unique among the academic disciplines. Geographers integrate information from other disciplines with their own research to provide a spatial understanding of the world. The present mission of Geography at Missouri Western State University is threefold: 1) to contribute to the college's general studies program by offering World Geography (GEO100), a critical course of any liberal arts education because it promotes in students an understanding and appreciation of the world around us; 2) to offer a minor program in geography; and 3) to provide service courses for other departments and majors. Geography is also a critical component of the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) and the minor in International Studies. |
The
history faculty is committed to developing a historical consciousness
among our students. The study of history helps students understand the
origins, course, and consequences of the major political, economic, social,
and cultural changes in history and relate those changes to the continuing
course of history today. Expanding the realm of student's experiences beyond
the limits imposed by their own life span and mobility is vital. History
allows people to perceive a greater range of alternatives and possibilities
in life's decisions made by people in different times and places. Students
who major in History usually prepare for careers in teaching, government,
law, or business.