Non-Traditional Program Philosophy Courses

PHIL 200 Introduction to Philosophy (3) (Division of Continuing Studies only)

An investigation of ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary responses to questions concerning the nature of the human reality, the nature and limits of human knowing, human freedom, human happiness or well-being, and the relation of the individual to society.

PHIL 301 Moral Philosophy (3) (Division of Continuing Studies only)

An inquiry into the nature of the moral good, the structures of moral agency and the proper criteria for making choices that bear on human beings and their well-being. Prerequisite: PHIL 200.

PHIL 310 Civic and Professional Issues (3) (Division of Continuing Studies only)

An inquiry into specific moral and social issues that arise in the professions and civic life. The course will focus on issues arising in society and specific professions, especially as they bear on social justice issues. Prerequisites: PHIL 200 and PHIL 301.

Traditional Undergraduate Program Philosophy Courses

The sophomore courses (PHIL 211 and 212) are prerequisites for all other courses in the Traditional Undergraduate program except PHIL 101.

PHIL 101 Logic (3)

An examination of the nature of arguments and the principles of right reasoning and an endeavor to foster in students the habit of critical thinking. (Fall)

PHIL 211 From Cosmos to Citizen (3)

An investigation of ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary responses to questions concerning the nature of the human reality, the nature and limits of human knowing, human freedom, human happiness or well-being, and the relation of the individual to society. (Fall)

PHIL 212 From Self to Society (3)

An investigation of modern and contemporary responses to questions concerning the nature of the human reality, the nature and limits of human knowing, human freedom, human happiness or well-being, and the relation of the individual to society. Different sections of this course explore the following themes: faith and reason; science and nature; the human person; individual and community; and culture and society. Prerequisite: PHIL 211. (Spring)

PHIL 301 Moral Philosophy (3)

An inquiry into the nature of the moral good, the structures of moral agency and the proper criteria for making choices that bear on human beings and their well-being. Seniors only. (Fall and Spring)

PHIL 308 American Philosophy (3)

An exploration of specifically American perspectives on philosophical problems through the works of thinkers such as James, Dewey, Peirce and Santayana. (As needed)

PHIL 311 Ancient Philosophy (3)

An investigation of the development of Western philosophy from the Pre- Socratic period through Plato and Aristotle to Neo-Platonism. (Fall)

PHIL 312 Medieval Philosophy (3)

An investigation of the development of Western philosophy from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance. (Spring)

PHIL 313 Modern Philosophy (3)

An investigation of the development of Western philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries. (Fall)

PHIL 314 Contemporary Philosophy (3)

An investigation of the development of contemporary philosophy through selected topics and readings. (Spring)

PHIL 315 Nineteenth Century Philosophy (3)

An investigation of selected topics and readings in 19th-century philosophy. (As needed)

PHIL 318 Philosophy of Knowledge (3)

An investigation of the nature of knowledge and its properties, namely truth, certitude and probability. Readings representative of different historical periods will be studied. (Spring)

PHIL 321 Metaphysics (3)

An investigation of the nature of beings; topics examined include the one and the many, being and nonbeing, the nature of substance, monism versus dualism and causality. Readings representative of different historical periods will be studied. (Fall)

PHIL 322 Philosophy of Religion (3)

An investigation of the nature of religious experience and the relation between faith and reason. (As needed)

PHIL 323 Political Philosophy (3)

An investigation of the nature of political society through an examination of the concepts of political authority, civil obligation, state neutrality, equality and just distribution. (Spring, even years)

PHIL 326 Philosophy of Law (3)

An investigation of theories of the sources and nature of law, and of central legal concepts such as rights, obligation, punishment and unjust laws. (Spring, odd years)

PHIL 329 Existentialism (3)

An exploration of major issues considered by 19th- and 20th-century existentialists, such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Camus, Sartre and Marcel. (As needed)

PHIL 333 Environmental Philosophy (3)

An exploration of philosophical problems concerning our human obligations to nature and its inhabitants. (Spring, even years)

PHIL 335 Islamic Philosophy (3)

An examination of the writings of prominent Islamic philosophers from the classical period and the issues and questions raised in these texts, such as those concerned with the created world, the nature of God, the existence of the soul and human freedom. (As needed)

PHIL 344 Intercultural Dialogue (3)

An investigation of the philosophical issues arising from the attempt to understand other cultures, especially the possibility of intercultural dialogue, and an exploration of these issues as manifested in current exchanges between Western and non-Western cultures. (This course satisfies the core requirement in non-Western studies.) (Fall, even years)

PHIL 345 Alienation and Social Transformation (3)

An investigation of the contributions and limitations of Marxism in giving voice to the aspirations of African cultures emerging from colonialism. (This course satisfies the core requirement in non-Western studies.) (As needed)

PHIL 375 Mysticism East and West (3)

An investigation of major figures or schools in Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Christian mysticism, with reference to the Greek philosophical mysticism of Neo- Platonism, and of the philosophical questions concerning the nature of mystical experiences. (This course satisfies the core requirement in non-Western studies.) (Same as THEOL 375.) (Fall, odd years)

PHIL 400 Topics in Philosophy (3)

An investigation of several approaches to a major issue in philosophy. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the topic studied varies. (As needed)

PHIL 410 Great Figures (3)

An investigation of the thought of a selected major figure (e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Hume, Kant, Husserl, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Rawls) in the history of philosophy. This course can be taken for credit more than once as long as the figure studied varies. (As needed)

PHIL 398 Independent Study (1-3)

Approval of the instructor, the chair of the department and the dean for academic affairs.