Philosophy Courses

PHL 101. INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
THREE CREDITS
An introduction to the major figures, problems, and concerns of Western philosophical thought. Students in this course typically examine a variety of philosophical questions and problems such as: the existence of God, human nature and the good life, fatalism, freedom, and responsibility, skepticism and the nature of knowledge, and theories of reality.

PHL 110. INTRODUCTION TO ETHICAL PROBLEMS
THREE CREDITS
An exploration of a series of basic ethical problems. Topics to be covered include basic ethical theories, how to evaluate ethical theories and moral arguments, the relationship between religion and ethics, and a selection of current moral problems such as abortion, capital punishment, affirmative action, animal rights, etc. Specific moral problems covered will vary. Other ethical questions such as "How should we live?" may also be covered in the course.

PHL 122. INTRODUCTION TO SYMBOLIC LOGIC
THREE CREDITS
An introduction to the nature of logical systems and deductive reasoning. The study of the syntax and semantics of formal languages; testing arguments for validity; and an examination of other important logical notions, such as proof and consistency.

PHL 201. ORIGINS OF WESTERN THOUGHT
THREE CREDITS
The development of Western philosophical thought from its beginnings in the Greek world to early Christian thought. Philosophers to be studied include the Pre-socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, the Stoics, Epicurus, Sextus Empiricus, and St. Augustine.
Prerequiste: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 210. ETHICAL THEORY
THREE CREDITS
A study of classical and contemporary ethical theories, the problems that they raise and the problems they are intended to solve. The theories of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Hume, and Mill will be examined as well as more recent contributions by Ross, Harman, Moore, Ayer, Stevenson, and Hare. Questions addressing ethical relativism, the relationship of religion to ethics, skepticism, moral realism, egoism, and value judgments will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 214. MEDICAL ETHICS
THREE CREDITS
A selection of important issues facing health care providers, patients and society in general are examined. Topics include euthanasia, abortion, doctor-patient relationships, the use and misuse of information, research on human and non-human animals, informed consent, patients' rights, truthfulness and the right to know, conflicts of obligations, the right to health care, the allocation of resources, mandatory testing for AIDS, and the use of genetic and reproductive technologies.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 216. PHILOSOPHIES OF NONVIOLENCE
THREE CREDITS
An examination of the concept of nonviolence and arguments supporting nonviolence as a way of life. Historical and modern theories as well as applications of nonviolence will be considered including ideas from the Buddha, Jesus, Gandhi, Tolstoy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thoreau, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and others. Students will be expected to consider the importance and relevance of these ideas for their own lives.
Prerequisite: PHL 101, PHL 110 or permission of instructor.

PHL 217. THE QUESTION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS
THREE CREDITS
An exploration of arguments supporting a wide variety of conclusions regarding our ethical obligations to nonhuman animals. We will examine standard moral theories, theories about the nature of current social practices, the history of our attitudes toward nonhuman animals, feminist arguments that our attitudes toward nonhuman animals are connected to negative views of female humans, and more.
Prerequisite: PHL 101, PHL 110 or permission of instructor.

PHL 218. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
THREE CREDITS
An examination of the central problems of environmental ethics as viewed from the perspectives of science and of philosophy. The value of nature and "natural objects," differing attitudes toward wildlife and the land itself, implications of anthropocentrism, individualism, ecocentrism, and ecofeminism, bases for land and water conservation, and other topics will be examined within a framework of moral and scientific argument. (same as GES 218).
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or GES 240 or permission of instructor.

PHL 230. SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
THREE CREDITS
Social and political institutions as seen by such classic critics as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Bentham, and others. More recent views such as those of Marx, Rawls, and Nozick will also be covered. Special attention is paid to the related questions of the role of the state and the relationship between the individual and the state. (Same as PS 263)
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 236. AMERICAN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
THREE CREDITS
See description under Political Science Department listing. (Same as PS 262). May not be used to meet Area I of the General Education Requirements.

PHL 240. PHILOSOPHY OF ART
THREE CREDITS
A critical examination of the basic assumptions involved with art. These will include such issues as what constitutes a work of art, what is the purpose of art, the relationship, if any, between art and truth, and what is so-called artistic creativity. A wide range of aesthetic views will be evaluated ranging from those of Plato and Aristotle to the more recent ones of Tolstoy, Bell, Hampshire, and Kennick.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 250. PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
THREE CREDITS
A critical examination of various issues concerning scientific thought. Topics may include the nature of science, distinguishing science from pseudo-science, the nature of theories, scientific explanation, space and time, causality, the problem of induction, laws of nature, and the reality of theoretical entities.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 272. PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
THREE CREDITS
An examination of various problems that arise when religion is made the object of philosophical reflection: the nature and forms of religious experience, the relationship between faith and reason, arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, arguments for immortality, the concepts of worship and miracle, the nature of religious language, and the possibility of religious knowledge.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 298. TOPICS
THREE CREDITS
The study of a topic of special interest not extensively treated in other courses. Topics chosen according to interest of instructor. Because of its variable content, this course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 316. MORAL PSYCHOLOGY
THREE CREDITS
An analysis of some current questions in moral psychology, an area of philosophy that addresses normative issues regarding human psychology including especially motives, emotions, psychological reactions, etc. Questions to be addressed include questions about moral luck (whether it is possible for an agent to be caught in a situation, through no fault of her own, in which it is impossible to act rightly), about whether one's moral character may be subject to luck in important ways, about whether there are reasons to act morally if one does not care about reputation or morality, and questions about when judgments of responsibility for actions and character are appropriate.
Prerequisites: PHL 101 or 110 or permission of instructor. PHL 210 is highly recommended.

PHL 370. METAPHYSICS
THREE CREDITS
A critical examination of one or more problems concerning the nature of reality, dealt with by classical and/or contemporary philosophers. Problems to be considered may include mind and body, space and time, substance, free will, realism and idealism, the existence of God, causality, and the nature of universals.
Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor.

PHL 372. ADVANCED PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
THREE CREDITS
An intensive examination of a major problem or figure in the philosophy of religion. Because of its variable content, this course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: PHL 272 or permission of instructor.

PHL 395-396. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
ONE TO THREE CREDITS
Independent study and research for advanced students. A research paper at a level significantly beyond a term paper is required.
Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson.

PHL 397. SEMINAR
ONE TO THREE CREDITS
Presentations and discussions of selected topics.
Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson is required.

PHL 399. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
ONE TO SIX CREDITS
Professional cooperative education placement in a private/public organization related to the student's academic objectives and career goals. In addition to their work experience, students are required to submit weekly reaction papers and an academic project to a Faculty Coordinator in the student's discipline. (See the Cooperative Education section of the Bulletin for placement procedures.)
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, 2.0 cumulative average, consent of academic advisor, approval of placement by department chairperson.
updated 04.20.04 | Bulletin0405