Introduction to Philosophy PHIL-1033
A historical and theoretical introduction to major issues in Western philosophy. Questions to be explored include, but are not limited to, “what is being?”, “does God exist?”, “what is truth?”, “are we free?”, and “how ought we to live?” Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement.
Critical Thinking and Reasoning PHIL-1533
This course provides an introduction to critical thinking, the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information in order to think through a problem clearly and communicate a solution effectively. Although students will learn to recognize, analyze, evaluate, and compose arguments – the primary instrument of critical thinking and reasoning – and will investigate the various forms arguments take, addressing both formal and informal methods of argumentation and distinguishing between good arguments and bad arguments, the principal focus of the course is not on learning and applying critical thinking methodologies as such. Rather, foremost emphasis is placed on exploring the role that critical thinking plays in the development, articulation, and analysis of ideas, values, and beliefs in various cultural contexts as well as the creative products through which these ideas, values, and beliefs are expressed. Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement.
Ethics PHIL-2033
A historical and theoretical introduction to the study of moral philosophy or ethics. Questions to be explored include, but are not limited to, “what are good and evil?”, “how ought one to live?”, and “how ought one to act?” . Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement.
Health Care Ethics PHIL-2103
This course provides an introduction to contemporary biomedical and clinical health care ethics through sustained exploration, analysis, and discussion of a wide array of ethical issues. Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to, end of life issues, experimentation on human subjects, confidentiality, informed consent, ownership of bodily tissues, cloning and genetic engineering, and justice in health care.
Political Philosophy PHIL-2133/4133
A historical and theoretical survey of the main problems of political philosophy through an examination and critical analysis of key thinkers and theories in the tradition. Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement. Prerequisite(s): May not be taken if student has received credit for PHIL-4133.
Asian Philosophy and Religion PHIL-2213/4213
A historical and theoretical survey of Asian philosophy and religion, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement. Prerequisite(s): May not be taken if student has received credit for PHIL-4213.
Feminist Philosophy PHIL-2223/4223
A historical and theoretical survey of feminist philosophy. Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement. Prerequisite(s): May not be taken if student has received credit for PHIL-4223.
Philosophy of Religion PHIL-2333/4333
A critical examination of the definitions, assumptions, and arguments central to religion. Topics may include interpreting the nature of religion, arguments for and against the existence of God, the relation between theology and philosophy, the relation between God and the world, the problem of evil, and the nature of religious experience. Fulfills Language, Philosophy & Culture core requirement. Prerequisite(s): May not be taken if student has received credit for PHIL-4223.
Ancient & Medieval Philosophy PHIL-2503/4503
This course provides a historical and theoretical overview of Western philosophy from classical antiquity through the end of the Middle Ages. Prerequisite(s): May not be taken if student has received credit for PHIL-4503.
Modern & Contemporary Philosophy PHIL-2513/4513
This course provides a historical and theoretical overview of Western philosophy from the early modern period through the present. Prerequisite(s): May not be taken if student has received credit for PHIL-4513.
Special Topics in Philosophy PHIL-3533
Specialized studies in philosophy. May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Communication Core complete and 3 hours of prior philosophy coursework or permission of instructor.
Independent Study in Philosophy PHIL-4993
Individual directed readings, with approval of philosophy advisor or consent of chair. May be repeated once for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Communication Core complete and approval of instructor required.