Student Organizations
Philosophy Club
The Philosophy Club is a student group that participates in and sponsors activities that promote the love of wisdom and the pursuit of truth.
- Meets weekly on campus
- Student run
- Any philosophically interested student is welcome, regardless of major
- Group me available
Contact club president Isaac Lacap for more information at il01694@georgiasouthern.edu
Philosophy After Dark
Philosophy After Dark is a group meeting to discuss pre-selected philosophical issues.
- Meets weekly at Eagle Creek Brewing Company
- Students of any major are welcome
- Topics range from abstract metaphysical questions to contemporary moral issues
- Encourages student submission for topics
Phi Sigma Tau Georgia Chapter Eta
Phi Sigma Tau Georgia Chapter Eta. Since 2001, Georgia Southern University has sponsored a chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the international honors society of philosophy. To be eligible for membership, you must be a Georgia Southern University Philosophy Major who has completed at least one year of coursework and maintains a 3.0 grade point average. The honors society participates in and sponsors activities that promote the love of wisdom and the pursuit of truth. These activities include active work and mutual support in student research projects, hosting guest lectures, submitting research for presentation at national and international undergraduate philosophy conferences, and submitting papers for publication in undergraduate philosophy journals. The honors society works closely with the Philosophy Club. In recent semesters, Phi Sigma Tau Georgia Chapter Eta has hosted a conference in conjunction with Georgia Southern University and published a monthly campus broadsheet entitled Praxis.
Contact Dr. William Eaton for more information at weaton@georgiasouthern.edu.
The Philosophical Discussion Group
Philosophical Discussion Group holds student driven philosophical conversations. Meetings are prompted by students who share written reflections in advance to start off the discussions.
- Meets on the Armstrong campus
- Any philosophically interested student welcome, regardless of major
- Usually once a month on campus
- Often includes pizza and snacks
- “The Philosopher’s Stone” email thread available (enordenhaug@georgiasouthern.edu)
Religion on Tap
Religion On Tap is a discussion group presented by professors and guest speakers.
- Meets at Eagle Creek Brewing Company
- New religious topics every time
- Students of any major are welcome
- Encourages open mindedness and civil conversation
- Discusses relevant world topics
Eagle Ethics Bowl
Eagle Ethics Bowl is a team of students who are interested in reflecting and discussing ethical issues with fellow peers.
- Designed to promote thoughtful, civil dialogue about difficult questions
- Exciting competitive tournaments and travel opportunities
- Students must complete an intro-level philosophy class or equivalent
Aporia Student Conference
Aporia student conference is a research conference that explores various topics within philosophy and religious studies.
- Held once a year on the Statesboro campus
- Papers chosen through a submission process
- Includes student commentary
- Call for papers posted in late fall
PhilFlix Film Series
PhilFlix Film Series is an evening film series with the goal of fostering student and community interest and engagement with philosophy and the deep questions it wrestles with.
- On the Statesboro campus
- Open to all Georgia Southern students, faculty, and staff
- Free public screenings of films that evoke interesting and pressing philosophical questions
- Followed by informal philosophy discussions
- Introduce philosophical questions in exciting and provocative ways
Contact Dr. Paul Tubig for more information at ptubig@georgiasouthern.edu
Scholarships
The Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies has several scholarships for outstanding students. Please click on the individual scholarship links below for more specific information. All scholarship applications require two letters of recommendation preferably from academic references.
The Ruffin Humanities Scholarship
Established by the late Dr. David A. Ruffin, the Ruffin Humanities Scholarship seeks to reward excellent students who have an interest in the humanities. Candidates for the scholarship must have declared a major in a humanities discipline, must display an outstanding academic and extracurricular record of achievement, and be of exemplary personal character.
Eligibility Requirements for the Ruffin Humanities Scholarship
- be an undergraduate, enrolled full-time;
- have made a formal declaration of a humanities major: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, or writing & linguistics (students who change their majors from one of these areas will lose their eligibility for the Ruffin Scholarship);
- have a 3.0 college cumulative grade point average;
- maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the award period;
- apply for the Ruffin Humanities Scholarship through the MyScholarships link in the MyGeorgiaSouthern portal; and
- be willing and able to meet with the Ruffin Humanities Scholarship Committee for an interview.
The Ruffin Humanities Scholarship carries an award equivalent to tuition (in-state or out-of-state), mandatory fees, and a 15% textbook allowance. It is renewable for up to four years (or until a student has completed a B.A. in the humanities discipline) and it is awarded in addition to other scholarships.
Student Awards
Awards for Best Essays
Each year the Department offers two awards for student writing:
- The Best Essay in Philosophy
- An award for the best essay submitted by a Philosophy major.
- The Best Essay in Religious Studies
- An award for the best essay submitted by a Religious Studies minor.