{"id":27,"date":"2021-11-04T12:08:44","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T16:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/?page_id=27"},"modified":"2025-12-15T10:11:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:11:44","slug":"philosophy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/philosophy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Philosophy Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Marshall University Philosophy Program has three full-time faculty members, all having earned Ph.D. degrees from top philosophy schools. We are unique in the tri-state area in three ways. We offer courses in three of the major contemporary philosophical styles, analytic, continental, and pragmatist philosophy, rather than just one. We are part of the only interdisciplinary degree\u00a0in the area, the Marshall\u00a0Humanities Major<\/a>, team-teaching with the programs of classics and religious studies. (In other words, we benefit from the insights of three disciplines in studying philosophy in its various historical and cultural contexts.) And our degree is organized as a \u201ccontract\u201d with each major, in which the student designs a large part of her or his own overall program.<\/p>\n

Our faculty members are deeply familiar with a wide range of the history of philosophy from Plato to the present. They are also at the cutting edge of their various specialties, doing adventurous research, and being in contact with a variety of leading philosophers. This creates an exciting environment for our students, and unusual opportunities for our majors to make contacts and enter graduate school. Recent graduates have gone on to graduate study at nationally respected schools, in philosophy, English, law, divinity, and art history.<\/p>\n

More generally, entering into philosophy enables us to participate better in the \u201cdance of life\u201d: to appreciate the joyful things more fully and widely and to steer through the hard things more successfully. It is at this deep level of developing what is meaningful in individual and communal life, more than any other, that our faculty members\u2019 research and teaching contribute to exploring illuminating and helpful ground.<\/p>\n

Faculty<\/h4>\n

Dr. Jeremy Barris<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Jeffrey Powell<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. John Vielkind<\/a><\/p>\n

Contact us:<\/h5>\n

philosophy@marshall.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Spring 2026 Courses<\/h3>\n

PHL 200: Introduction to Philosophy Ancient Period (Vielkind) TR 2-3:15<\/p>\n

PHL 201: Introduction to Philosophy Modern Period (Waldeck) MW 3-4:15, HH 447<\/p>\n

PHL 201: Introduction to Philosophy Modern Period (Barris) Online Course, 2 sections<\/strong><\/p>\n

PHL 203: Philosophy & Human Existence (Vielkind) MW 2-3:15, HH 446<\/p>\n

PHL 204: AI and Ethics (Atkins) Online Course<\/p>\n

PHL 303: Ethics (Waldeck) MW 12:30-1:45, HH 447<\/p>\n

PHL 321: Current Philosophical Trends (Barris) Online Course, 2nd 7 wks<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Course Catalog 2025-2026<\/h2>\n
\n \n

\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span> - General Education Course <\/p>\n

\n
PHL\u00a0200\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Intro Phil Ancient Period (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

The origins of philosophical activity among the Greeks by means of a selective sounding of several major thinkers.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0200H\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Intro Phil Ancient-Honors (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

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.<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ACT Composite with a score of 26 or SAT Verbal Before March 16 with a score of 600.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0201\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Intro Phil Modern Period (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Questions and answers concerning the nature of existence and human values and how we come to know them.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0202\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Ethics of Health Care (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

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.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0203\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Philosophy & Human Exist (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

An introduction to philosophy drawing from both ancient and modern thinkers and texts.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0204\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0AI and Ethics<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

We discuss what AI and technology are; how they systematically affect our encounters with, and understanding of, the world; how those encounters interact with values like equality, autonomy, progress.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Core II Humanities<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0215\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Managing Life<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Philosophical approaches to dealing with life's deep challenges and difficult moments, with the help of some of the great classics of world thought.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0250\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Humanities and Film (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

An interdisciplinary course to introduce students to the elements of a humanistic education through study of film. (Same as Classics 250 and Religious Studies 250; PR or CR: ENG\u00a0101<\/span>)<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG\u00a0101<\/span> with a minimum grade of C or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> (may be taken concurrently) or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> (may be taken concurrently) or ENG\u00a0101P<\/span> (may be taken concurrently).<\/p>

Concurrent PR:<\/strong> ENG\u00a0101<\/span> or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0101P<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>
Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking, Core II Humanities, Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0270\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Intro to Formal Logic (CT)<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Introduction to three standard systems of formal logic: traditional categorical syllogistic logic, sentential logic, and first-order predicate logic.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Critical Thinking<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0280\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Group or individual study of areas demanding further study of a more specialized depth.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0281\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Group or individual study of areas demanding further study of a more specialized depth.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0282\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Group or individual study of areas demanding further study of a more specialized depth.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0283\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Group or individual study of areas demanding further study of a more specialized depth.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0301\u00a0Plato's Republic<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

A deconstruction of the major time-worn prejudices and presuppositions of Platonism by way of\na radical reading of Plato's great dialogue the REPUBLIC.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0302\u00a0Applied Ethics<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

The application of basic ethical theories to contemporary moral issues drawn from such fields as medicine, business and the environment.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0303\u00a0Ethics<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

A critical study of diverse moral norms, ideals and systems in theory and practice.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> COLA Humanities<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0304\u00a0Logic & Interpretation<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

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).<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0306\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Philosophy of Art<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Examination of the qualities involved in the appreciation of beauty which serve as standards of taste.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0315\u00a0American Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

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).<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0320\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Comparative Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

The relations of the world's philosphies to the basic cultural and religious traditions of the world and to the development of the world community.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> International<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0321\u00a0Current Phil Trends<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Selected reading in contemporary thought embracing such movements as realism, Marxism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, and postmodernism.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0330\u00a0Philosophy of Sex<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Introduction to some of the basic authors, texts, and themes in this branch of philosophy beginning with Plato's SYMPOSIUM.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0340\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Sexual Orient & Gender<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

An introduction to the philosophy of sexual orientation and its relation to gender, with a special focus on issues of knowledge and politics.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0353\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Philosophy of Science<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Reflections on crucial concepts of modern science relevant to philosophical issues in interpreting man and the universe; special attention given to epistemological and other problems of mathematics and physical and social sciences.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0363\u00a0\"Bison\n<\/span><\/fo:external-graphic>\n<\/span>\u00a0Philosophy of Feminism<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

An introduction to contemporary feminist theory including discussion of current gender-related issues.<\/p>

Attributes: <\/strong> Multicultural<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0375\u00a0Humanities Internship<\/strong><\/span>3-12 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

This course provides the academic structure for- and assessment of- an internship experience.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0392\u00a0Junior Seminar<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL\u00a0231<\/span> or CL\u00a0232<\/span> or CL\u00a0319<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> or PHL 201E or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> or PHL 303E or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> or RST\u00a0205<\/span> or RST\u00a0206<\/span> or RST\u00a0300<\/span> or RST\u00a0304<\/span> or RST 320 or RST 325.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0393\u00a0Junior Seminar<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 with a minimum grade of D or ENG 302 with a minimum grade of D or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or YGS 162 with a minimum grade of D or IST 201 with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0231<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0232<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0319<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL 201E with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL 303E with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0205<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0206<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0300<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0304<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST 320 with a minimum grade of D or RST 325 with a minimum grade of D.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0400\u00a0Ancient Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of major philosophers drawn from the ancient Greek and Roman period.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0401\u00a0Modern Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of major movements in philosophy from the 17th century on, movements such as rationalism, empiricism, idealism, and existentialism.<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>PHL\u00a0201<\/span> or PHL 201E.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0420\u00a0Metaphysics<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of the most basic nature of reality. (PR: 3 hrs. of philosophy).<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0421\u00a0Philosophy of Knowledge<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of the nature and possibility of knowledge.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0451\u00a0Phil of History & Culture<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Ancient and modern theories of the meaning and consequence of history and culture.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0455\u00a0Philosophy of Religion<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Theories of the nature and functions of religion, including the meaning of religious language and the problems of belief.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0460\u00a0Phil of Politics & Power<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of the significance or the place in human reality of political organization,\nnegotiation, strategy and power.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0465\u00a0Existential Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

A study of existential philosophers from Kierkegaard to Heidegger, Sartre and beyond.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0470\u00a0Philosophy of Logic<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of the nature of logic: whether logic is possible at all, how far it applies, and \nwhether and how there can be conflicting logics.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0480\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Shared study and research on a special topic as announced.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0481\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Shared study and research on a special topic as announced.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0482\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Shared study and research on a special topic as announced.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0483\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Shared study and research on a special topic as announced.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0485\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0486\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0487\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0488\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Attributes: <\/strong> No Textbook Required<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0490\u00a0Senior Seminar in Humanities<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating\ninterdisciplinary study in the humanities program. (Same as CL\u00a0490<\/span> - 494 and RST\u00a0490<\/span> - 494)<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 with a minimum grade of D or ENG 302 with a minimum grade of D or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or YGS 162 with a minimum grade of D or IST 201 with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0231<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0232<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0233<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or CL\u00a0319<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0205<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0206<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0300<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST\u00a0304<\/span> with a minimum grade of D or RST 320 with a minimum grade of D or RST 325 with a minimum grade of D.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0491\u00a0Senior Seminar in Humanities<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating\ninterdisciplinary study in the humanities program. (Same as CL\u00a0490<\/span> - 494 and RST\u00a0490<\/span> - 494)\n<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL\u00a0231<\/span> or CL\u00a0232<\/span> or CL\u00a0233<\/span> or CL\u00a0319<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> or RST\u00a0205<\/span> or RST\u00a0206<\/span> or RST\u00a0300<\/span> or RST\u00a0304<\/span> or RST 320 or RST 325.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0492\u00a0Senior Seminar in Humanities<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating\ninterdisciplinary study in the humanities program. (Same as CL\u00a0490<\/span> - 494 and RST\u00a0490<\/span> - 494)\n<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL\u00a0231<\/span> or CL\u00a0232<\/span> or CL\u00a0233<\/span> or CL\u00a0319<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> or RST\u00a0205<\/span> or RST\u00a0206<\/span> or RST\u00a0300<\/span> or RST\u00a0304<\/span> or RST 320 or RST 325.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0493\u00a0Senior Seminar in Humanities<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating\ninterdisciplinary study in the humanities program. (Same at CL\u00a0490<\/span> - 494 and RST\u00a0490<\/span> -494)<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL\u00a0231<\/span> or CL\u00a0232<\/span> or CL\u00a0233<\/span> or CL\u00a0319<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> or RST\u00a0205<\/span> or RST\u00a0206<\/span> or RST\u00a0300<\/span> or RST\u00a0304<\/span> or RST 320 or RST 325.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0494\u00a0Senior Seminar in Humanities<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Designed for majors as a senior humanities seminar and the culminating\ninterdisciplinary study in the humanities program. (Same as CL\u00a0490<\/span> - 494 and RST\u00a0490<\/span> -494)<\/p>

Pre-req: <\/strong>ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG\u00a0201H<\/span> or ENG\u00a0200H<\/span> or YGS 162 or IST 201 or CL\u00a0231<\/span> or CL\u00a0232<\/span> or CL\u00a0233<\/span> or CL\u00a0319<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200<\/span> or PHL\u00a0200H<\/span> or PHL\u00a0201<\/span> or PHL\u00a0303<\/span> or PHL\u00a0321<\/span> or PHL\u00a0340<\/span> or PHL\u00a0353<\/span> or RST\u00a0205<\/span> or RST\u00a0206<\/span> or RST\u00a0300<\/span> or RST\u00a0304<\/span> or RST 320 or RST 325 or ENG\u00a0201<\/span>.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n \n\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Graduate Course Catalog 2025-2026<\/h3>\n
\n \n
\n
PHL\u00a0500\u00a0Ancient Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of major philosophers drawn from the ancient Greek and Roman period.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0501\u00a0Modern Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of major movements in philosophy from the 17th century on, movements such as rationalism, empiricism, idealism, and existentialism. (PR: Any philosophy course)<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0520\u00a0Metaphysics<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

A study of what Aristotle called "first philosophy" or the study of being -- later called \nmetaphysics.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0521\u00a0Philosophy of Knowledge<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of the nature and possibility of knowledge. (PR: Any philosophy course)<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0551\u00a0Phil of History & Culture<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Ancient and modern theories of the meaning and consequence of history and culture.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0555\u00a0Philosophy of Religion<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Theories of the nature and functions of religion, including the meaning of religious language and problems of belief.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0560\u00a0Phil of Politics & Power<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

Advanced study of the significance or the place in human reality of political organization, negotiation, strategy and power. (PR: Any philosophy course)<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0565\u00a0Existential Philosophy<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

A survey of the contributions of leading existentialist philosophers of the past and present from Kierkegaard and Nietzche to Sartre and Tillich; course is conducted much like a seminar.<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0570\u00a0Philosophy of Logic<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>

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: Any philosophy course)<\/p>

Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0580\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0581\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0582\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0583\u00a0Special Topics<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0585\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0586\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0587\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0588\u00a0Independent Study<\/strong><\/span>1-4 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Attributes: <\/strong> No Textbook Required<\/div>\n<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
PHL\u00a0599\u00a0Humanities Seminar<\/strong><\/span>3 Credit hours <\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>
Grade Mode:<\/strong> Normal Grading Mode<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n \n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Marshall University Philosophy Program has three full-time faculty members, all having earned Ph.D. degrees from top philosophy schools. We are unique in the tri-state area in three ways. We offer courses in three of the major contemporary philosophical styles, analytic, continental, and pragmatist philosophy, rather than just one. We are part of the only<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":900,"featured_media":564,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/900"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":741,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions\/741"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}