Philosophy

Course Offerings

PHIL–111 Introduction to Western Philosophy (3 credits)
Develops and enhances critical thinking skills through the analysis and discussion of perennial philosophical problems. Emphasis on developing critical reading and discussion skills, writing expository and evaluative analysis of extended argument prose, and constructing argumentative essays. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore standing (closed to junior and senior students).
PHIL–121 Introductory Ethics (3 credits)
Presents a systematic and historical discussion of moral and social values through classical and contemporary readings. Emphasis on applying moral theories to concrete moral problems.
PHIL–211 Ancient Greek Philosophy (3 credits)
Develops and analyzes philosophical theories from the pre-Socrates through the Hellenistic periods. Emphasis primarily on the thought of Plato and Aristotle.
PHIL–221 Modern European Philosophy (3 credits)
Develops and analyzes philosophical theories from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Emphasis on the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hobbes, Hume, and Kant.
PHIL–231 Symbolic Logic (3 credits)
Introduces fundamental principles and techniques of modern symbolic or mathematical logic including truth functional logic, quantification theory, and the logic of relations. Especially suited for students with interests in mathematics and computing science.
PHIL–241 Science, Technology and Society (3 credits)
PHIL–301 Selected Topics in Philosophy (3 credits)
Studies selected topics of current interest. Specific topic may vary each time the course is taught. May be repeated for credit as the selection of topics changes. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or religion, or permission of instructor.
PHIL–312 Contemporary Philosophy (3 credits)
PHIL–316 Environmental Ethics (3 credits)
Examines some of the main ethical choices required in making environmental policy choices from an individual, social, and historical perspective. Critically examines the ethical attitudes towards issues that have influenced modern society such as land use, biodiversity, population control, and wilderness preservation.
PHIL–317 Bioethics (3 credits)
Considers selected problems in medical and environmental ethics from biological, philosophical, and religious perspectives. Topics include abortion, euthanasia, and genetic engineering. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.
PHIL–340 Philosophy of Religion (3 credits)
Examines the nature of religious experience, religious language, claims to religious knowledge, and the relation between faith and reason. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.
PHIL–345 Philosophy of Science (3 credits)
Studies methodological problems of the natural and social sciences from a historical point of view. Also examines the logic of explanation and theory construction. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, or junior or senior standing in natural or social science.
PHIL–446 Philosophy of Law (3 credits)
Presents treatment of different theories of the nature of law (e.g. legal positivism, legal realism, natural law, analytical jurisprudence), the justification of punishment, and the relation between morality and law. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy, political science, or legal studies.
PHIL–447 Philosophy of Mind (3 credits)
Analyzes the relationship between mental and bodily phenomena and the nature of cognitive activity. Explores whether a strictly physicalist approach to mind is feasible. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or permission of instructor.
PHIL–449 Philosophy of Information (3 credits)
PHIL–459 Philosophical Classics (3 credits)
In a seminar setting, studies selected philosophical classics or texts destined to become classics. May be repeated for credit as the selection of texts changes. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or religion, or permission of instructor.
PHIL–491 Directed Study in Philosophy (1-3 credits)
Offers research in special problems or persons under the direction of a member of the philosophy faculty. May be repeated for up to nine hours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PHIL–492 Internship in Philosophy (1-3 credits)
Offers students the opportunity for supervised field experience in teaching or research either on campus or at some other facility appropriate to the student?s field of study. Prerequisite: Completion of at least two courses in philosophy.
PHIL–499 Senior Seminar in Philosophy (3 credits)
Required of all senior philosophy majors. Affords the student the opportunity to work independently in the preparation of an extended paper and to present this paper in a seminar to other majors in philosophy, religion, and pretheology. Prerequisite: Senior standing.