B.A. In Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy provides students, through a wide variety of courses and programs, with opportunities to explore questions of fundamental significance to human life and to develop skills in critical thinking, reasoning, writing and reading. Students will explore issues such as what is justice? How should we live? What is valuable? Can God exist given the existence of evil in the world? What is the relationship between faith and reason? What is reality? What can we know? How do we know that we know? What meaning is there to life? What is race? What is ethnicity? What acts are right and wrong? What is truth?

Through training students to think, discuss, and write cogently on matters of fundamental significance, the department provides students with an intellectual foundation from which to examine their own beliefs, academic interests, and personal concerns. The philosophy program enriches students' academic experience by providing a variety of intellectually challenging extracurricular activities such as undergraduate research; honors program; participation in the prestigious philosophy honor society, Phi Sigma Tau; philosophy club; intercollegiate debate team (Ethics Bowl); writing work shops; and departmental Lecture Series.

Mission

The Moravian Philosophy Department sets out to awaken and nurture in students a curiosity for ultimate questions and a desire for an objective investigation into reality through critical, reflective, and imaginative processes. We strive to produce students with clear thinking abilities; good argumentative skills; tolerance of different beliefs, perspectives, and views, without thinking they need to be equally true; and sensitive to societal values, such as justice, tolerance, and rights - essential for a vibrant and flourishing democratic society.

Goals

• To introduce students to some of the major philosophers and philosophies of the Western and non-Western philosophical tradition.
• To cultivate students’ reasoning skills so that they can critically assess evidence, evaluate deductive and inductive arguments, and construct good evidentially based arguments.
• To teach students how to write and express their ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively.
• To teach students how to complete scholarly writings in philosophy.
• To teach students to view issues from multifarious perspectives.

Why Moravian?

It's all about the experience! The opportunities here are life-changing. Here’s a preview of what you’ll experience as a Moravian University student:

• A tech-friendly campus: Every student receives a MacBook Pro and an iPad as soon as they deposit
• Personalized learning: We have an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 17 students
• Classic college town: Moravian is located in historic downtown Bethlehem, PA
• Lifetime support: Say hello to the Center for Career and Civic Engagement!
• Global education: Choose from more than 20 study abroad programs
• Opportunities beyond the classroom: Participate in research, civic engagement, scholarship programs, internships, and more.
• A vast and active network: There are more than 20,000 Moravian alumni across the world, ready to help you get a job

Moravian University has deep roots and a record of success longer than that of our nation. The iconic Moravian star is engraved in our history and is present everywhere you turn. Moravian’s feel is entwined with that of Bethlehem’s, carrying both the resilience of its steel town lore and the lightness of the window candles that glow each night in Moravian tradition.

Bethlehem is so regarded for its history that it’s been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site shortlist, hoping to join such historic sites as Independence Hall, the Statue of Liberty, and the pyramids of Egypt.

Undergraduate Academics

For a small school, the Moravian experience has a broad reach. You can choose from more than 70 areas of study or even design your own major. Plus, the graduate program provides more than 45 doctorate and master’s degrees and certification options. But you don’t have to decide anything right now. At Moravian, we want you to take the time to explore all of your academic interests and then focus on your chosen path.

View all undergraduate programs.

Additionally, you can participate in our Honors Program, SOAR research, local internships, student clubs, study abroad, and more.

Our average class size is 16 students, with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. That means your professors know you by first name and care about your success! You’ll be given a Macbook Pro and an iPad to use during all four years of school, and you can even keep them once you graduate.

Graduate Academics

Moravian Graduate offers more than 50 graduate and certificate programs in behavioral health, business, education, fine arts, nursing, rehabilitation sciences, and theological studies.

Moravian's graduate and certificate programs are designed to prepare top-notch graduates to meet the needs of growing industries—and they're also designed to fit into your life, not uproot it. That’s why graduate courses are offered in traditional, accelerated, blended, and online formats. You’ll also have the best of Moravian University's resources at your fingertips, and our faculty, staff, and Student Experience Mentors are committed to your success.

View all graduate programs.

Location

Located along the east coast of the United States, Moravian calls Bethlehem, Pennsylvania home. In this bustling small town you’ll find yourself just a short drive away from major cities, like Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Just imagine all the weekend trips and new adventures! But don’t worry, there’s plenty to do right in the Lehigh Valley too. Whether you’re attending one of the best music festivals in North America (Musikfest) or enjoying a baseball game at Coca Cola Stadium, there’s never a dull moment in Bethlehem, PA.

The Bethlehem community is always very welcoming of Moravian students and often partners with the University to offer internships, hands-on learning opportunities, and free events.

Weather

Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley experiences all four seasons to the fullest. Fall brings crisp sweater-weather and colorful leaves. Winter coats our campus with snow. Spring offers rain showers and blooming flowers. And summer is sunny and warm. Every season brings a little something different to Bethlehem and we love it!