PHIL101     PROBLEMS IN PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

Introduces a number of fundamental philosophical problems traditional to philosophy.  Primary emphasis is on problems of knowledge, introduced through analysis of the works of several major philosophers.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL102     ETHICS

3 sh

An introduction to moral philosophy.  Considers the problems of values, ideals, and standards of human action, both individual and social.  Selected readings in a wide range of traditional and modern ethical approaches.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL105     PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

3 sh

An introduction to the basic problems of religion, such as the nature of religion, the existence of God, knowledge of God, the language of religion, immortality, and eschatology.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL106     SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

A study of the traditional and contemporary philosophical issues of man in society, especially those problems concerning justice which exist as a result of human government.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL110     CRITICAL THINKING

3 sh

Focuses on creating in students an understanding of the many facets and pitfalls of good and bad reasoning.  Emphasis is divided between the theoretical, logical issues and the practical application of good reasoning in a wide variety of contexts, both personal and public.  This course does not meet the philosophy general education requirement.

PHIL159     SPECIAL TOPICS:  FIRST YEAR STUDENT SEMINAR

1 sh

The first year seminar is designed to introduce the student to the culture and mission of the university within the context of an academic discipline of choice.  The course will explore the purpose of one's college education and provide the student an opportunity to become engaged with the academic field of interest.  The student will be introduced to basic college learning and study skills in the context of the content area.  Through ample class discussion of common readings, the student will engage in active learning.  Common co-curricular activities and the incorporation of a peer mentor component will facilitate the first year student's connection with fellow students and faculty in the university community.  Restricted to first semester, first year students.

PHIL201     CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

The development of philosophy from Thales to Plotinus, covering the Greek and Roman periods.  Major emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL202     MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

A study of the development of philosophy from Augustine in the fourth century A.D. to William of Ockham in the 14th century.  Special emphasis is placed on Augustine and Aquinas.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL204     MODERN PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

An historical study of the major figures and movements in philosophy from the 17th to the 19th century.  The accent is upon the problems and methods of philosophy.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL205     CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

The major movements in the philosophy of the 20th century.  Considers idealism, Neo-Thomism, Marxism, Phenomenology and Existentialism, Logical Positivism, Linguistic Analysis, and Naturalism.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL206     AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

A general study of philosophy in the U.S. since the middle of the 19th century.  The emphasis is upon the works of those philosophers of this country who have developed themes peculiarly American. Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL207     ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES

3 sh

A study of the major schools of Indian and Chinese philosophy which developed out of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.  The emphasis will be on the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical insights of the various systems.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL210     19TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

A survey of the major European and American philosophers of the 1800's, including Hegel, Marx, Mill, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and James.  Emphasis will be placed on the influence of these thinkers on contemporary thought.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL215     CANADIAN PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

Introduces Canadian Philosophy and sets forth Canadian Philosophy as a distinct system of inquiry.  In particular, close attention will be paid to the relationship between Canadian philosophy and Canadian intellectual history.  Particular focus will be placed on the philosophical notion of community and its impact on Canadian society.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL301     PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

3 sh

An investigation of the nature and techniques of scientific explanation. Study of such questions as the nature of scientific method, the logic of scientific explanation, theory construction, causality, and the nature of the laws of science.  Primary emphasis on the philosophical questions involved in the work of science and the link between science and philosophy.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL304     EXISTENTIALISM

3 sh

A study of how 20th century existentialism, both in its religious and its atheistic forms, grows out of the work of its three 19th century precursors: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky.  Prerequisite:  3 sh of philosophy or permission of the instructor.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL305     METAPHYSICS

3 sh

A study of the most general questions concerning the nature of reality including such problems as the reality of an external world, the significance of human existence, the nature of time, space, substance, cause, and the status of natural laws.  Prerequisite:  3 sh of philosophy or permission of the instructor.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL306     THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE

3 sh

Examines the basic problems of epistemology, such as the nature, the reliability, and the proper objects of knowledge.  Considers questions pertaining to the nature of truth, theories of perception, the problems of universals, concepts, and categories.  Prerequisite:  3 sh of philosophy or permission of the instructor.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL307     PHILOSOPHY OF ART

3 sh

An analysis of various concepts of aesthetics.  Investigation into some of the fundamental questions involved in the philosophy of art.  Aestheticians, both historical and contemporary.  The application of aesthetic theory to art forms both past and present.  Aesthetics approached from a worldwide outlook.  Probes deeply into the arts for broader aesthetic understanding.    Prerequisite:  One philosophy course – except for Art, Music or Theatre majors, or permission of the instructor.  Fulfills General Education Requirement for only music, art, theater, and speech majors.

PHIL308     LOGIC

3 sh

Standard logical notions and techniques.  Chief emphasis on forms of argument, modes of valid inference, traditional and modern approaches to deductive argument, and inductive theory.  Syllogistic and mathematical logic.  The course does not meet the philosophy general education requirement.

PHIL315     PHILOSOPHY OF LAW

3 sh

The exploration of such broad questions as What is law?, How are law and morality related?, and How should we best conceptualize legal reasoning?  Specific topics might include, among others, legal theories, equality, rights and freedoms (speech, religion, etc), civil disobedience and violence, and gender and race in the American legal and social context.   Prerequisite:  ENGL100 or HONR111 or at least one other PHIL course

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  PHILOSOPHY

3 sh

This seminar is intended to familiarize students with the questions that philosophers and individuals have always asked and to help them realize that, although the answers change, the questions remain the same.  Different aspects and questions may be dealt with in several philosophy seminars.  Prerequisite: ENGL100.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  PHILOSOPHY OF FEMINISM

3 sh

Examines some of the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical issues in feminist philosophy.  Specific topics to be addressed include nature, human nature, the consequences of patriarchy, sexual divisions of labor, and feminist agendas for social, political and economic changes.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  IDEOLOGY IN FILM

3 sh

A philosophical analysis of the three most influential ideologies in twentieth- century Western culture, Democracy, Marxism and Freudian Psychoanalysis, and how they find expression in both mainstream and counter-culture approaches to cinema. Original writings of Locke, Jefferson and Rand, Marx and Engels, and Freud and his interpreters will be read, in conjunction with the viewing of films, which directly relate to each of these ideological positions.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  BRAINS, MINDS, AND MACHINES

3 sh

This seminar investigates the chief problems of mind and body and personhood from several points of view.  The metaphysical issues involved in dualism as challenged by materialism have taken on new significance in the age of the cognitive sciences and artificial intelligence.  The bent of the seminar is both philosophical and scientific, considering primarily the questions concerning our basic humanity.  What, for example, distinguishes us from computers?

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS IN LITERATURE

3 sh

The seminar will examine pairings of works of philosophy and literature dealing with the same themes, to study both the historical influence of philosophy on literature and the conceptual content of literary works in light of philosophical theories.  The fundamental goal of the course will be to promote in students the attitude that philosophy and literature are complimentary modes of inquiry into the human condition; that philosophical concepts can enrich one's appreciation of literary works, and that images and situations in literature can help concretize abstract philosophical theories.  To paraphrase Kant: philosophical concepts without literary intuitions can be empty; literary images and situations without philosophical categories can be blind.  When united, the two together can yield true understanding.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  PHILOSOPHY OF DEATH

3 sh

A consideration of the generally neglected, but obviously significant, topic of death.  Primary emphasis will be on the metaphysics of death (i.e., just how does it fit in with an overall understanding of reality?)  Consideration will also be given to the psychological aspects of death, especially as it relates to the individual as an inevitable fate.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  PHILOSOPHY OF MIND

3 sh

An in-depth study of the phenomenon of consciousness from classical and contemporary points of view with an attempt to integrate various theories of the mind into a consistent and coherent philosophy of humans.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR:  PHILOSOPHY OF SPACE AND TIME

3 sh

A philosophical consideration of the problems of space and time.  Through a study of a variety of historical and contemporary theories we will examine such questions as whether space and time are real or apparent, absolute or relative, physical or mental, bounded or unbounded, finite or infinite -- an interesting experience in metaphysical mental gymnastics.

PHIL328     HUMANITIES SEMINAR: PLATO

3 sh

In this seminar, we will examine the early, middle, and late Dialogues of Plato, as well as his last works, the Letters and the Laws.  His theory of education, vision of the ideal society and theory of love will be explored in some detail, and his works will be related to the decline and fall of Athens from its Golden Age.

PHIL415     ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS

3 sh

An examination of some of the major ethical issues in the various health care professions.  Particular analysis will include, but not be limited to the following:  the allocation of medical resources; consent and truth telling in medicine; genetic engineering; reproductive technologies; and advanced directives.  Professionals from various health care fields will be invited to speak on selected topics.  Prerequisites:  One Philosophy course or permission of the instructor. Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL425     ETHICS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

3 sh

An in-depth survey of the relevance of ethical theory to the making of professional decisions in business and industry.  An extensive introduction to ethical theory and logic is followed by a discussion of difficult ethical dilemmas that professionals must confront every day.  Emphasis is placed on hiring and firing practices, advertising and marketing, environmental issues, and the impact of industry on society at large.  Fulfills General Education Requirements.

PHIL499     INDEPENDENT STUDY

1-3 sh

Individual readings and conferences on a special topic determined by the instructor.  Prerequisite:  permission of the instructor, the department chairperson, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.