Course Descriptions

PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy (V)

What is philosophy? What does it mean to be a “lover of wisdom?” In this course philosophy is introduced as a way of asking very basic questions about the value and limitations of human knowledge, the basic meaning of human values and how we measure the ethical worth of human actions, and the ultimate perspectives on one’s view of reality and life. Philosophical thinkers who have offered original views on these subjects will be studied to help students develop their own opinions. Offered fall and spring. 3 credits

PHI 102 Critical Thinking (V)

This course is an inquiry into the justification of knowledge and value claims and their relationship to each other. It introduces concepts of critical thinking, including background knowledge, the web of belief, the limits of evidence, the nature of proof and the twin pitfalls of dogmatism and relativism. The course seeks to show how good critical thinking characterizes both scientific and moral reasoning. Emphasis on reflection on issues from everyday life. Offered fall and spring. 3 credits

PHI 201–202 History of Philosophy (H)

Course reviews philosophical questions and theories from Greek thought to modern times. The first semester emphasizes the philosophies of the Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Medievals. Second semester treats Descartes and Continental rationalism, Hume and British empiricism, and their culmination in Kant’s critical philosophy. Some contemporary approaches to problems also are considered. Course is required of all Philosophy majors. Two semesters. Offered fall and spring. 3 credits each

PHI 208 Biomedical Ethics (V)

This course examines the ethical dilemmas presented by modern medicine, including patient autonomy, informed consent, paternalism, letting die, scarcity of resources, abortion, and the right to health care. Offered spring, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI 211 Business Ethics (V)

Students examine such basic issues as the relationship between moral goodness and good business practice, the role of the individual within an organization and the social obligations of corporations. Course investigates specific issues, including affirmative action, cost-benefit analysis and product liability as well as offering a critical look at the market itself. 3 credits

PHI 223 Contemporary Moral Problems (C)

This course offers a philosophic examination of some current problems that have surfaced in contemporary life and society. These problems may include nuclear war, abortion, capital punishment, famine relief, the future of the environment, animal rights, cloning, gender and race issues. 3 credits

PHI 224 Love (V)

This course examines the main attitudes toward love that have developed in the Western literary, psychological, and philosophical traditions, beginning with the ancient Greeks and finishing with contemporary views. Emphasis is placed on the close connection between accounts of love and accounts of value. Offered spring. 3 credits

PHI 225 Philosophy of Sport (V)

A philosophical investigation of the Western tradition of sport and athletics and their significance for human experience. Topics include the role of sport in character development and human fulfillment, the value and limits of competition, and the current professionalization of sport. Offered fall. 3 credits

PHI 230 Eastern Philosophy (D)

This course introduces the philosophical traditions of India, China, and Japan.  Students explore such concepts as reality, the self, knowledge and ethics in Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and other traditions. Offered spring, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI 231 Latin American Philosophy (D)

This course introduces students to the major problems of Latin American philosophy.  Students will explore some solutions to those problems that have been proposed by Latin American thinkers and evaluate them according to their philosophical merit.  Topics include Mayan rationality, the Iberian conquest of Latin America, Latin American Scholasticism, Latino identity, and others. Offered spring, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI 301 Philosophical Issues and the Law (C)

Students are introduced to basic concepts of law including the relationship between law and morality, the nature of legal reasoning and the ethical problems of professional practice. Special emphasis is placed on contemporary issues before the courts such as affirmative action, right to privacy, free speech and the death penalty. Offered fall, alternate years..  Recommended for pre-law students. 3 credits

H–PHI 302 Honors Philosophy: The Idea of Beauty (A)

The seminar explores the human response to aesthetic values. Art forms such as painting, drama and music are analyzed in light of the philosophical contributions of Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, and others. Offered spring, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI 303 Logic

This course is an introduction to traditional Aristotelian logic and symbolic logic. Emphasis is on the nature of deductive reasoning and formal systems of deduction. Course is recommended for LSAT preparation. Course is required of all Philosophy majors. Offered spring.  Course required of all philosophy majors. 3 credits

PHI 304 History and Philosophy of Science (S)

This course addresses contemporary issues in the philosophy of science through examination of examples from the history of science. Issues include what it means for a theory to be scientific, the nature of discovery, what constitutes a scientific theory, how theories are confirmed, and the problems of inductive reasoning. Contemporary issues in science are used to illustrate scientific practice. Offered spring, alternate years. Prerequisite: two courses In philosophy or permission of the instructor.  3 credits

PHI 305 The Existential Challenge (V)

This course offers an examination of philosophies of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche as well as an exposition of major phenomenologists as Husserl, Heidegger and Sartre. Course is supplemented with readings from contemporary literature. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: two courses In philosophy or permission of the instructor. 3 credits

H–PHI 306 Honors Philosophy: Myths, Symbols and Images (D)

The course examines a variety of cultural mythologies such as Native American, Latin American, Nordic, Greek, and African to determine the meaning and significance of these myths as they reveal human experiences. The use of myths, symbols and images are analyzed within the context of the cultural history and as expressions of profound relationships that humankind bear with each other and their surroundings. Offered fall, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI/COM 307 Ethics and Communication (V)

Ethical theories are applied to actual cases in the media industry. All aspects of the media are considered: broadcast and print media, advertising and public relations, as well as entertainment. Students analyze the loyalties of case participants to understand the underlying moral values and ethical principles. Offered fall, alternate years. 3 credits

H-PHI/HIS 309 Honors Philosophy/History: Baseball and the American Tradition (H)

Within the context of the game of baseball, this course will examine significant historical/cultural aspects of American life. The history of the game itself sets the stage for analyzing class stratification of rich and poor; race and gender relations; the “level playing fields” of baseball as a business; the inspiring influence the game has had on literature and the arts and the psychology of the human drama of triumph and tragedy played out on and off the field. 3 credits

H–PHI 310 Honors Philosophy: American Philosophy (H)

This course analyzes the philosophical writings of American thinkers from colonial times to the twentieth century. Two fundamental questions will be addressed throughout the course: What are the philosophical theories that support the development of America? Is there a uniquely American philosophy that is independent of European thinkers? Offered spring, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI 315 Ethics (V)

This course offers a philosophical inquiry into the nature and meaning of ethical values. What does it mean to be a good human being? Is there a rational way to determine the ethical rightness and wrongness of human actions? What role do human emotions play in our ethical lives? Are there ethical implications behind our political, economic and social lives? Classic and contemporary views of ethics will be studied. This course is required of all philosophy majors. Prerequisite: two courses In philosophy or permission of the instructor.  Offered spring, alternate years. 3 credits

PHI 320 Political Philosophy (I)

Students read selections from the classical political philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Mill. The focus is on the relation between politics and morality, the contemporary problems of democracy and the problem of achieving both wisdom and consent in government. Offered fall alternate years. Prerequisite two courses in philosophy or permission of the instructor. 3 credits

PHI 326 Environmental Ethics (V)

This course examines the various traditions that have shaped our attitudes toward the environment: the tradition of human dominion over nature, the tradition of human stewardship of nature and the recent tradition that accords ethical standing or even rights to nature. The role of these traditions in contributing to and/or solving environmental problems is then considered. Finally a sketch of an environmental ethics adequate to deal with such problems as pollution, overpopulation, our responsibility for future generations, endangered species, and animal rights is offered. Offered fall, alternate years. Prerequisite two courses in philosophy or permission of the instructor. 3 credits

PHI 401 Special Topics

This course covers selected topics from the history of philosophy such as Plato’s later Dialogues, Aristotle, continental rationalism, British empiricism, Kant and German idealism, contemporary analytic philosophy, post modernism, and philosophy of religion.  Prerequisite: PHI 201 and PHI 202 or permission of the instructor.  Offered upon sufficient enrollment. 3 credits

PHI 499 Independent Study

This course offers independent but directed study on a topic of interest to the student but not included in the regular course offerings. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor, Department chairperson and dean for academic affairs. Fee. Offered each fall and spring. 3 credits