The History, Philosophy, and Religion Department at Marietta College offers majors in History with minors in Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Philosophy, and Religion.
Majors
History Major
The History program at Marietta is designed to instill in students a thorough background in the liberal arts, to prepare them for many possible careers, and to lay the foundation for a rich and rewarding life. We offer an active, well-qualified faculty, a balanced curriculum, a great deal of personal attention and opportunities for off-campus study. The program is structured to ensure that students are exposed to courses in American, European, and non-Western history.
Marietta is a great place to be for the study of history. The city marked the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, and its environs are rich in historical heritage, complete with prehistoric Indian mounds, as well as pioneer and river history. Our internship program provides for useful curatorial and archival work in the Campus Martius Museum, the Ohio River Museum, and the College's rare book Collection. And Marietta's Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, recognizes students for outstanding achievement in history.
The campus library houses the Stimson Collection of Americana, featuring more than 21,000 volumes, an extensive collection of original manuscripts pertaining to the Northwest Territory and early Ohio, and primary resource materials focusing on history. Also, the History Department offers an excellent book and periodical collection.
Minors
Philosophy
The word "philosophy" is of Greek origin and means "love of wisdom." We often think of a philosopher as someone who contemplates fundamental questions of life, death, and truth. Today's philosophers dwell on the topics of our rapidly changing world. Indeed, because philosophers take such care with thought, the study of philosophy provides the highest level of training in analytical or reasoning skills.
Students who minor in Philosophy take courses covering logic, aesthetics, ethics, and metaphysics/epistemology. They become familiar with what some of the greatest thinkers in the world have believed about art and beauty, goodness and the difference between right and wrong, reality, and the study of the criteria on which we base our claims to knowledge.
Class sizes are small and consist largely of discussion, so students have the opportunity to discuss and explore philosophical issues with other students and the professor.
The philosophy minor helps prepare students for law school and other graduate programs, as well as careers in government, teaching, and business.
Religion
Religion is an important aspect of human experience. Therefore the study of different religions is an important aspect of a liberal arts education. The academic study of religion is also a means of pursuing your own answers to big questions about the meaning of life.
Students pursuing the minor in religion take courses that compare and contrast world religions or that focus on particular religions such as Christianity and Buddhism. Some courses analyze sacred texts like the Bible. Others explore moral and philosophical issues. Others study religion in the context of American, European, and Asian history and culture.
Combined with the right major, the Religion minor can be an asset in an array of exciting careers, including ministry, social service, broadcasting, publishing, journalism or education.