Course Descriptions
Philosophy Courses
110P. Introduction to Philosophy
An introduction to basic concepts, methods and issues in philosophy, and a consideration of representative types of philosophical thought concerning human nature, the world, knowledge, and value.
120P. Logic and Philosophy.
A study of the principles of correct reasoning and the types of fallacious reasoning. Includes an examination of the philosophical and historical context of logic, and the application of logical methods to philosophical questions.
126P. Honors: Introduction to Philosophy
Open only to students in the Academic Honors Program. A special honors section of PHIL 110P.
127P. Honors: Science Knowledge, Reality and Values.
Open only to students in the Academic Honors Program. Scientific developments are used as an occasion for philosophical reflection. In the process the student is led to a better understanding of science. The course introduces and makes use of basic logical and conceptual tools of philosophy.
150P. World Religions: A Philosophical Introduction
A comparative and philosophical study of major world religions in the eastern and western traditions with emphasis upon cultural and historical contexts and basic philosophical issues pertaining to religion: the foundations of religious knowledge and belief, the meaning of human life, the basis of right action, the nature of good and evil, divinity, death and immortality.
227P. Honors: World Religions--A Philosophical Introduction.
Open only to students in the Academic Honors Program. A special honors section of PHIL 150P.
301. Philosophy and Public Affairs
A study of such contemporary moral issues as war, discrimination, poverty, sex, the obligation of scientists, and animal rights.
302. Gender and Ethics.
An examination of ethical issues concerning whether men and women should be treated differently and of the standards by which such decisions are made.
303. Business Ethics.
An intensive examination of ethical issues which arise in conducting business; an exploration of the principles underlying ethical decisions.
304. Marx and the Marxists.
Learning how to understand Marxism, yesterday and today, through readings, applications, exercises for discussion and projects.
305. American Philosophy.
An examination of the writings of some of the major American philosophers such as Peirce, James, Royce, Dewey, and Whitehead.
313. Philosophy of Religion.
An analytical and critical consideration of the philosophical foundations of religion. Such topics as the existence of God, the problem of evil, theism and atheism, prayer, and immortality are discussed.
314. Studies Western Religious Thought
Various topics exploring religious, philosophical, and cultural thems in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
324. Philosophy of Art.
A study of the various theories of art and human creativity in the context of historical and cultural backgrounds.
330. Ancient Philosophy.
A study of the thought of the classical Greek and Roman philosophers from the sixth century B.C. to the fifth century A.D.
331. Modern Philosophy.
A study of the thought of the major Western philosophers through the eighteenth century, including the empirical tradition of Bacon, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume, the rationalistic tradition of Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, and the critical philosophy of Kant.
340. Logic I.
A study of the basic concepts and methods of logic as they occur in ordinary language, formal logical arguments, and an elementary logical system. Traditional Logic is emphasized, but some elements of Modern Logic are also introduced.
344T. Environmental Ethics
An examination of the nature and basis of human obligations for the welfare of the environment with special attention to the foundations of ethical decision making. Students who have taken PHIL 444U cannot take this course for credit.
345. Bioethics.
An examination of the philosophical foundations of ethical decision making in biology, medicine, and the life sciences.
353. Asian Religions.
A study of religious and philosophical traditions of India, China and Japan. Primary emphasis will be given to Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
354. Comparative Philosophy: East-West Personhood
An examination of the philosophical theme "personhood" in Eastern and Western traditions. It will include a methodology for comparative analysis, a dialaogue on key issues and their application to contemporary topics from historical and contemporary, religious, psychological and gender perspectives. The class will sample well known positions in the Eastern and Western traditions as well as social and political contexts for the various conceptions.
355T. Computer Ethics
An examination of ethical issues created, aggravated or transformed by computer technology. Theory-grounded paradigms of ethical decision making will be presented with application to realistic cases. Principal topics: computer crime, privacy, cyberspace, and business applications. Students who have taken PHIL 445U cannot take this course for credit.
369. Practicum.
The course offers three forms of practical experience for philosophy majors: Professional (for students anticipating careers in relevant professions, including philosophy); Classroom (for students anticipating graduate study and a teaching career); Civic/Social Affairs (for students interested in grassroots activism). Consult the department for details and certain specific prerequisites.
383T. Technology: Its Nature and Significance
A philosophical examination of technology with special attention to its relationship with and mutual dependence upon society, culture, and human values. Historical developments and specific technologies will also be covered.
395, 396. Topics in Philosophy.
A study of selected topics designed for nonmajors, or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule booklet, and will be more fully described in a booklet distributed to all academic advisors.
404/504. Twentieth Century Continental Philosophy.
A study of influential contemporary movements in European philosophy. Emphasis will be given to the writings of Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Gadamer, Derrida, and Foucault.
406/506. Contemporary Analytic Philosophy.
A study of the twentieth-century analytic tradition, including such thinkers as Moore, Russell, Wittgenstein, Ayer, Carnap, Ryle, Wisdom, and Austin.
410/510. Social and Political Philosophy.
A philosophical analysis of the relation between man, society, and the state, studying about a dozen philosophers since Plato on such topics as justice, authority, law, freedom, and civil rights.
411/511. Postmodernism and Political Philosophy.
An examination of intellectual currents in postmodernism as they pertain to central questions in social and political thought. The course covers the roots of modernism in the Enlightenment and various challenges to modernism in 19th and 20th century thought. Particular attention is given to the prospects for democracy in postmodern thinking.
412/512. Philosophy of Law.
An examination of the nature of law and philosophical issues concerning the law.
417/517. Philosophy and Educational Issues.
Considers the relationship of philosophy and education. Topics considered include: philosophy as a foundation for education, education as an institution, and educational and philosophical issues as they relate to each other.
427/527. Myth and Philosophy.
A study of the nature of myth, its role and importance in human thought. The analysis will stress the relationships between mythology, religion, literature, drama, and philosophy in ancient Greece.
431/531. Nineteenth Century Philosophy.
A study of significant intellectual innovations and revolutions in nineteenth-century European thought that helped shape the modern mind. Emphasis will be given to the writings of Kant, Schopenhauer, Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.
440/540. Philosophy of Natural Science.
A study of the concepts and philosophical problems common to the natural sciences: scientific reasoning, confirmation, explanation, laws, meaning, theories, revolutions, progress, and values.
441/541. Foundations of Ethics.
An inquiry into the philosophical foundations of ethical theory. Various ethical systems are considered.
442/542. Studies in Applied Ethics.
An intensive examination of ethical issues in a particular field or profession; an emphasis on ethical theory underlying practical decisions.
480/580. Hinduism.
An intensive study of the basic teachings of Hinduism as manifested in its sacred writings.
481/581. Buddhism.
A study of the origin, historical development, and contemporary status of Buddhism, in terms of its religious and philosophical elements and its influence in Asian cultures.
482U/582. Chinese Religion and Philosophy.
A study of Chinese thought emphasizing Early and Classical Confucianism, Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism. Modern currents of Chinese thought will also be discussed.
485/585. Japanese Religion and Philosophy.
A study of the religious and philosophical traditions of Japan. Emphasis will be given to Shintoism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism and their contemporary status and influence in Japanese culture.
491/591, 492/592, 493/593, 494/594. Seminar in Philosophy.
Intensive examination of the thought of one major philosopher.
495/595, 496/596. Topics in Philosophy.
The advanced study of selected topics designed to permit small groups of qualified students to work on subjects of mutual interest which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly. These courses will appear in the course schedule booklet, and will be more fully described in a booklet distributed to all academic advisors.
497/597, 498/598. Tutorial Work in Special Topics in Philosophy.
Independent reading and study of a topic to be selected under the direction of an instructor. Conferences and papers as appropriate.
603. Studies in Social and Political Philosophy.
An intensive study of one or more figures, movements, or theoretical questions in social and political philosophy.
606. Studies in Asian Philosophy.
An intensive study of one concept, movement, or thinker indigenous to the Asian philosophical tradition.
608. Studies in Ancient Philosophy.
A study of certain philosophers, movements or specific philosophical issues in the ancient Greek and early Roman periods.
609. Studies in the Philosophy of Science.
A consideration of some philosophical problem or problem area related to science or to some position or tradition in the philosophy of science.
610. Studies in the Philosophy of Art.
An evaluation of the field of art in relation to the rest of human culture, emphasizing the various approaches that may be used.
611. Studies in the History of Philosophy.
A consideration of selected themes in the history of philosophy, or the specific examination of one major philosopher or group of related philosophers.
697, 698. Tutorial Work in Special Topics in Philosophy.
Independent reading and study on a topic to be selected under the direction of an instructor. Conferences and papers as appropriate.
Religious Studies Courses
REL 311. Old Testament
An investigation of the Hebrew Bible on the basis of Biblical criticism and research. Attention is given to the cultural and historical background of these writings.
REL 312. New Testament.
An investigation of New Testament literature and thought on the basis of Biblical criticism and research. Attention is given to the religious and cultural background of early Christianity, particularly in late Judaism.
REL 350. Judaism.
A study of the Jewish tradition, including its primary texts, historical development, intellectual tenets, and contributions to human culture. Specific attention will be given to Judaism as a way of life.
REL 351. Christianity.
A study of the Christian tradition, including its primary texts, historical development, intellectual tenets, and contributions to human culture. Specific attention will be given to Christianity as a way of life.
REL 352. Islam.
A study of the Islamic tradition, including its primary texts, historical development, intellectual tenets, and contributions to human culture. Specific attention will be given to Islam as a way of life.
