Philosophy Course Descriptions

PHIL 111. Introduction: Knowledge, Reality, and the Human Condition
This course introduces students to philosophy through an examination of fundamental questions about the nature of reality, the possibility of knowledge, and the human search for meaning. By reading and discussing the work of several major philosophers, students learn to engage in careful and critical reflection on their own lives and on what it means to be a human being.
This course fulfills a General Education requirement in the Humanities.

PHIL 112. Introduction: Ethics and Society
This course introduces students to philosophy through the study of ethics. Readings from major philosophers focus questions about value in human life and actions. Topics covered may include the nature of ethical reasoning and moral obligation, the value of morality to the individual and society, how ethics helps us understand our place in the universe, and how ethical ideas clarify moral problems facing society.
This course fulfills a General Education requirement in the Humanities.

PHIL 113. Introduction: Reasoning and Argument
This course introduces students to basic principles of reasoning and argumentation. Students learn to distinguish between valid and invalid reasoning, to recognize patterns of deductive and inductive arguments, to understand the way evidence is used in reasoning, to construct deductive proofs, and to evaluate the soundness of arguments both in everyday contexts and in writings of some major philosophers.
This course fulfills a General Education requirement in the Humanities.

PHIL 114. Introduction: The Origins of Western Philosophy
This course introduces students to philosophy by tracing the development of the discipline from its origins in ancient Greece to the decline of the ancient world in the 4th and 5th centuries CE. Through an examination of the work of such thinkers as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, students learn to engage in careful and critical reflection on both the human and the natural world and to experience the sense of wonder that animates the discipline of philosophy.
This course fulfills a General Education requirement in the Humanities.

PHIL 201. Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy
Prerequisite: PHIL 114
This course traces the development of Western philosophy from the end of the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the beginnings of the modern world. Emphasis is placed on the philosophical systems of major figures such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.

PHIL 202. Early Modern Philosophy
Prerequisite: PHIL 114
This course traces the development of Western philosophy from Descartes in the mid-16th century through Hume in the mid-18th century. Emphasis is placed on the metaphysical and epistemological systems of such major philosophers as Descartes, Leibniz, Locke, and Hume.

PHIL 203. History of Late Modern Philosophy
Prerequisite: PHIL 114
This course traces the development of European philosophy from Kant to Nietzsche. Philosophical movements including German Idealism, Positivism and 19th Century Materialism, and Existentialism will be examined.

PHIL 310. Professional Ethics
Prerequisite: Three hours of Philosophy
This course examines contemporary ethical issues presented by various disciplines and professions in light of ethical theories. This course will focus on ethical questions and problems that arise in a variety of professions including medicine, law, nursing, education, social work, and journalism.

PHIL 320. Metaphysics
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy
This course examines basic theories of reality such as materialism, idealism, and dualism. Among the philosophical issues addressed are the following: the nature of mind, the mind-body problem, free will and determinism, the nature of space and time, and proofs concerning the existence of God.

PHIL 330. Epistemology
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy
This course investigates the nature, extent, and sources of human knowledge and the relation between the concepts of knowledge, belief, and truth. Major theories which are examined include empiricism and rationalism.

PHIL 340. Symbolic Logic
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy or mathematics
This advanced course in formal logic presents various methods and principles of symbolic logic for use in appraising arguments for validity and invalidity. Topics covered include truth tables, rules of inference, proof procedures, quantification theory, and the logic of relations.

PHIL 350. Philosophy of Religion
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy or religious studies
This course examines major approaches to the philosophical understanding of religion. It investigates a number of specific issues within contemporary philosophy of religion such as those of religious "truth," "faith," and "experience."

PHIL 360. Existential Philosophy
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy
. This course is a detailed study of the origins and historical development of the 20th century movement in philosophy called existentialism. Through a careful reading of both literary and philosophical texts, students explore such fundamental existential themes and issues as freedom, responsibility, anguish, alienation, authenticity, and death. Special emphasis is given to major thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre.

PHIL 370. Philosophy of Language
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy
This course examines the contemporary philosophical focus on language. Course topics include the nature and functions of language and theories of meaning. The course will consider both the historical roots and recent developments in the area.

PHIL 380. Aesthetics
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy
This course explores various theories and philosophical issues concerning the nature of creativity and the nature and significance of art in all of its forms. Students engage in a critical examination of such questions as these: What exactly to we mean by a "work of art"? What is beauty? What is an aesthetic experience? How are aesthetic values related to other sorts of values? How do artworks have meaning? What sort of truth can be found in art?

PHIL 390. Ethical Theory
Prerequisite: Three hours of philosophy
This course is an in-depth examination of perennial problems and issues in ethical theory. Texts of major philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hume, and Kant are used to focus discussion of topics such as the nature of justice, happiness and the good life, duty and moral obligation, and moral virtue.

PHIL 421. Topics in Philosophy
Prerequisite: Six hours of philosophy
This course is an in-depth examination of the work of one major philosopher; a single school or movement in the history of philosophy; or a particular problem, theme, or issue of contemporary interest. Emphasis is placed on the careful reading and critical discussion of primary philosophical texts.This course may be taken twice with a different topic each time.

PHIL 488H. Final Honors Project
Prerequisites: Enrollment in the Honors Program, completion of all other Honors Program requirements, a minimum of 3.5 GPA in all courses and in philosophy
Project and topic to be determined by the student, the faculty member with whom the student works, and the department. In order to receive honors credit, the student must earn a grade of "A" or "B" for the final project. Course may not be repeated.

PHIL490. Philosophy Internship
Prerequisites: 18 hours of Philosophy; junior or senior standing; minimum 3.0 GPA in major; approval of the department chairperson.
Offers an opportunity through experiential learning to apply Philosophy skills in a career-oriented atmosphere. The internship consists of a one or two semester placement with a business, governmental agency, or service organization interested in utilizing a philosophy background and critical and analytic thinking skills, research and writing skills, and knowledge of issues addressed in the study of philosophy. Grading will be on A-F basis. No more than 3 credit hours may be applied toward the requirements for the major.

PHIL 498. Independent Study
Prerequisites: Approval of department curriculum committee and department chair
An Independent Study may be taken for up to six credits. The course is designed by the student in consultation with his or her faculty adviser.