200
Introduction to Philosophy: Ancient Period
3 hrs.
The origins of philosophical activity among the Greeks by means of a selective sounding of several major thinkers.
200H
Introduction to Philosophy: Ancient Period
3 hrs. Honors
A detailed consideration of selected texts from Ancient philosophy, such as the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, the Epicureans, the Academic Skeptics, and the neo-Platonists.
201
Introduction to Philosophy: Modern Period
3 hrs.
Questions and answers concerning the nature of existence and human values and how we come to know them.
202
The Ethics of Contemporary Health Care
3 hrs.
A basic introduction to ethical theory, followed by an application of this theory to problems in health care. For students in health care professions and those interested in applied ethics.
203
Philosophy and Human Existence
3 hrs.
An introduction to philosophy drawing from both ancient and modern thinkers and texts.
250
Orientation in Humanities
3 hrs.
An interdisciplinary course to introduce students to the elements of a humanistic education. (Same as Classics 250 and Religious Studies 250; PR or CR: English 101.)
280-283
Special Topics
1-4 hrs.
Group or individual study of areas demanding further study of a more specialized depth.
301
Plato’s Republic
3 hrs.
A deconstruction of the major time-worn prejudices and presuppositions of Platonism by way of a radical reading of Plato’s great dialogue the Republic.
302
Applied Ethics
3 hrs.
The application of basic ethical theories to contemporary moral issues drawn from such fields as medicine, business and the environment.
303
Ethics
3 hrs.
A critical study of diverse moral norms, ideals and systems in theory and practice.
304
Logic and Interpretation
3 hrs. I, II.
Theory and practice of valid principles of thinking, including developing the skills of justifying diverse types of belief and evaluating reasons for conflicting standpoints (for example, racial, gender, and ethnic differences).
306
Philosophy of Art
3 hrs.
Examination of the qualities involved in the appreciation of beauty which serve as standards of taste.
315
American Philosophy
3 hrs.
Great American thinkers, including thinkers such as Emerson (transcendentalism), Peirce, James, Dewey, and Rorty (pragmatism), Royce (idealism), Quine (analytic philosophy), and de Man (post-structuralism).
320
Comparative Philosophy
3 hrs.
The relations of the world’s philosophies to the basic cultural and religious traditions of the world and to the development of the world community.
321
Current Philosophical Trends
3 hrs.
Selected reading in contemporary thought embracing such movements as realism, Marxism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, postmodernism.
330
Philosophy of Sex
3 hrs.
Introduction to some of the basic authors, texts, and themes in this branch of philosophy beginning with Plato’s Symposium.
340
Philosophy of Sexual Orientation and Gender
3 hrs.
An introduction to the philosophy of sexual orientation and its relation to gender, with a special focus on issues of knowledge and politics.
353
Philosophy of Science
3 hrs.
Reflections on crucial concepts of modern science relevant to philosophical issues in interpreting human beings and the universe; special attention given to epistemological and other problems of mathematics and physical and social sciences.
363
Philosophy of Feminism
3 hrs.
An introduction to contemporary feminist theory including discussion of current gender-related issues.
390-394
Humanities Junior Seminar
3 hrs.
A structured interdisciplinary study offered by the programs of Classics, Philosophy and Religious Studies in the foundations of Western thought: its myth, literature, religion, philosophy, art. (Same as Classics 390-394 and Religious Studies 390-394.)
400
Ancient Philosophy
3 hrs.
Advanced study of major philosophers drawn from the ancient Greek and Roman period. (PR: PHL 200.)
401
Modern Philosophy
3 hrs.
Advanced study of major movements in philosophy from the 17th century on, movements such as rationalism, empiricism, idealism, and existentialism. (PR: PHL 201, or any 300 level PHL course.)
420
Metaphysics
3 hrs.
Advanced study of the most basic nature of reality. (PR: 3 hrs. of philosophy.)
421
Philosophy of Knowledge
3 hrs.
Advanced study of the nature and possibility of knowledge. (PR: 3 hrs. of philosophy.)
451
Philosophy of History and Culture
3 hrs.
Ancient and modern theories of the meaning and consequence of history and culture. (PR: 3 hrs. of philosophy.)
455
Philosophy of Religion
3 hrs.
Theories of the nature and functions of religion, including the meaning of religious language and the problems of belief. (PR: Six hours between philosophy and religious studies.)
460
Philosophy of Politics and Power
3 hrs.
Advanced study of the significance or the place in human reality of political organization, negotiation, strategy, and power (PR: 3 hrs. of philosophy.)
465
Existential Philosophy
3 hrs.
A study of existential philosophers from Kierkegaard to Heidegger, Sartre and beyond.
470
Philosophy of Logic
3 hrs.
Advanced study of the nature of logic: whether logic is possible at all, how far it applies, and whether and how there can be conflicting logics. (PR: 3 hrs. of philosophy.)
480-483
Special Topics
1-4 hrs.
Shared study and research on a special topic as announced. (PR: Permission of department chairperson.)
485-488
Independent Study
1-4 hrs.
490-494
Humanities Senior Seminar
3 hrs.
Designed for majors as the culminating interdisciplinary study in the Humanities program. Capstone experience. (Same as Classics 490-494 and Religious Studies 490-494.)
495H-496H
Readings for Honors in Philosophy
4 hrs.
Open only to philosophy majors of outstanding ability. See Honors Courses.
498
Directed Readings in Philosophy
3 hrs.
(Fall or Spring)
Advanced research adaptable to the needs of the individual student. (PR: Permission of department chairperson.)