PHILOS 210 Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3

An introduction to many of the central problems of philosophy. The various dimensions of philosophy are examined as it related to our relationships with each other, our understanding of our world and our understanding of ourselves. Connections between classical philosophers and contemporary issues are explored as philosophy is considered as a deeply personal and also as a social phenomenon.

PHILOS 210 - MOTR PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy

PHILOS 221 Contemporary Moral Issues Credits: 3

This course offers a philosophical examination of ethical issues in contemporary society. Topics for discussion include ethical conflicts arising in business and technology, engineering, healthcare, politics, and the environment. Moral concerns addressed may include reproductive rights and technologies, warfare, capital punishment, pornography, privacy, consumerism, euthanasia, sexuality, and animal welfare.

PHILOS 221 - MOTR PHIL 102: Introduction to Ethics

PHILOS 222 Foundations Of Logic and Scientific Reasoning Credits: 3

This course introduces the basic concepts and methods of modern logic, beginning with premise, inference, conclusion, and argument, with emphasis on understanding and reconstructing complex patterns of reasoning, and analysis and construction of valid arguments.

PHILOS 222 - MOTR PHIL 101: Introduction to Logic

PHILOS 234 Friendship and Flourishing Credits: 3

This course focuses on the various paths to friendship that lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life. What makes a life fulfilling? What is an examined life? How can I figure out who I am and where I am going? And why am I going there? And how am I going to get there? How does friendship differ from other kinds of relationship? How does friendship play a role in my journey?

PHILOS 250 Special Readings In Philosophy Credits: 3

An investigation of readings on a topic, a philosophical movement, or a philosopher to be selected by the instructor. The course is designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in a specific issue or person in philosophy but do not yet possess the necessary background and skill demanded of those who have taken work beyond the introductory course (s) in philosophy.

PHILOS 310WI Ancient Philosophy Credits: 3

A survey of the central figures of classical philosophy: the pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, the Epicureans and other philosophers of antiquity. The contributions of major philosophers to the development of science, religion, and social and political theories are studied.

Prerequisites: ENGLISH 225.

PHILOS 320WI History of Modern Philosophy Credits: 3

A survey of the central figures of modern philosophy: Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, G.W. Liebniz, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, George Berkeley, David Hume and Immanuel Kant. In addition to the philosophical issues of the period, cultural, historical and political matters are considered. A secondary goal is the establishment of the pedigree of contemporary philosophical problems.

Prerequisites: ENGLISH 225.

PHILOS 321 Ethics Credits: 3

This course covers the nature of ethical ideas and the development and history of ethical theory.

PHILOS 322 Philosophy of Literature Credits: 3

A close study of the ancient problems at the intersection of philosophy and literature: what sort of truth, if any, do we find in literature? Does literature have ethical content? What makes a literary text beautiful? How do 'literary' texts defer from philosophical and other kinds of texts? Should literary texts influence our thinking about politics and other social issues?

PHILOS 325 Aesthetics Credits: 3

The basic problems of aesthetics are examined, with special emphasis on the character of the work of art, the aesthetic response of the viewer, the creative process of the artist, and the nature of aesthetic criticism. These topics are discussed in light of conflicting aesthetic theories. Recommended preparation: PHILOS 210 and PHILOS 222.

PHILOS 329 American Philosophy Credits: 3

The main trends of American thought are covered, with special emphasis on the philosophies of Peirce, James and Dewey.

PHILOS 332 Existentialism Credits: 3

A study of the development of existentialism. Selections from the works of such thinkers as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Heidegger, Camus and other related philosophers are considered. Special attention is devoted to the existential movements in literature, social science and medicine.

PHILOS 333 Social And Political Philosophy Credits: 3

A consideration of representative views of the place of man in contemporary society. Contributions in psychology, political theory, economics, sociology and anthropology are investigated philosophically with a view toward offering a critical appraisal of the nature of man in the human community.

PHILOS 335 Mind and Mindfulness Credits: 3

A study of Western and Eastern philosophical approaches to understanding the mind, including such topics as mental phenomena, the relation of mind to body,, the self and personal identity, and artificial intelligence. Classical and contemporary treatments of such concepts as 'mind', 'intention', 'sensation', 'perception', 'stimulus', etc., and their relation to action and behavior are considered, as are a variety of techniques for coming to know our own minds, such as styles of Eastern meditation

PHILOS 337 Philosophy of History Credits: 3

A discussion of methodological and substantive issues, including the nature of historical explanation, whether history can be a science, and various theories of history such as those of Vico, Hegel, Marx, and Collingwood.

PHILOS 340 Philosophy Of Law Credits: 3

An analysis of major philosophies of law, including methods of justifying legal systems through natural law, legal positivism, sociological jurisprudence, theology, etc. Contemporary legal theories are critically analyzed. Recommended preparation: PHILOS 210 or PHILOS 222.

PHILOS 342 Buddhist Philosophy Credits: 3

This course will consider such central Buddhist philosophical ideas as: interdependence; impermanence; relativity; suffering; path to liberation; meditation; karma as cosmic justice; death and rebirth. Compassion will be considered as central ethical value. Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan Buddhism will all be considered.

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.

PHILOS 347WI Feminist Philosophy Credits: 3

This course examines how feminist thinkers have engaged with some of the major fields of philosophy, including ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of science, and social and political philosophy. Topics include sex and gender, embodiment, reason and emotion, reproduction, motherhood, free speech, autonomy, scientific bias, and epistemic privilege.

Prerequisites: ENGLISH 225.

PHILOS 348WI Philosophy of Love Credits: 3

This course addresses philosophical questions about love, relationships, and sex. Topics include different forms of love, so-called “true” love, polyamory, sexual attraction, flirting, cheating, and consent.

Prerequisites: ENGLISH 225.

PHILOS 370 Environmental Ethics And Policy Credits: 3

Various philosophical approaches to issues such as the value of nature, human obligations to non-human animals, species, ecosystems and future generations; environmental justice; restoration; resource use; environmental politics; and the relation between environmental issues, policy and ethics will be discussed critically.

PHILOS 430WI Plato Credits: 3

Selected dialogues of Plato are studied with a view to understanding Plato's philosophy and its position in the world of Greece and antiquity. Plato's philosophy is also examined with reference to his place in the Western tradition and in modern philosophy.

Prerequisites: ENGLISH 225.

PHILOS 431 Aristotle Credits: 3

Selected portions of Aristotle's works on logic, metaphysics, science, ethics, politics, and poetics are studied with a view to understanding Aristotle's philosophy and its position in the world of Greece and antiquity. Aristotle's philosophy is examined with reference to its place in the Western tradition and in modern philosophy. Recommended preparation: PHILOS 210 or PHILOS 222.

PHILOS 448 Professional Ethics Credits: 3

An analysis and investigation of modern and contemporary ethical theories as they can be applied to professional life. Among the theories considered are ethical relativity, the emotive theory, utilitarianism, Kantianism, and virtue ethics, all within the context of real-life decision-making for professionals such as nurses and doctors, business people, lawyers, engineers, educators and others.

PHILOS 450WI Ethics and Government Credits: 3

This course covers the historical and current role of ethics in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including examining the ethical standards of elected officials and appointed public servants.

Prerequisites: ENGLISH 225.

PHILOS 451 Bioethics Credits: 3

This course will provide an overview of the history of bioethics from antiquity to the present. The course will provide an overview of foundational ethical theories. The course will explore key events in bioethics and the responses to them in the bioethics literature.

PHILOS 454 Reproductive Ethics Credits: 3

This course tackles some of the most controversial ethical debates surrounding human reproduction. Topics include contraception, abortion, assisted reproductive technologies, surrogacy, gamete donation, embryonic selection, and genetic enhancement. Students will have the rare opportunity to think critically about the difficult beginning-of-life choices that face parents, healthcare providers, researchers, and society at large.

PHILOS 480 Selected Topics Credits: 1-3

Each time this course is offered a particular philosopher or particular area of philosophy will be the topic of discussion. The course may be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

PHILOS 480A Selected Topics Credits: 1-3

PHILOS 480B Selected Topics Credits: 1-3

PHILOS 480E Selected Topics Credits: 1-3

PHILOS 490 Special Topics And Readings Credits: 1-3

Intensive reading and/or research in an area selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

Prerequisites: Departmental consent.

PHILOS 490B Special Topics And Readings Credits: 1-3

Intensive reading and/or research in an area selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. By permission only. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

Prerequisites: PHILOS 222, PHILOS 310WI, PHILOS 320WI, PHILOS 321.

PHILOS 490F Special Topics and Readings Credits: 1-3

Intensive reading and/or research in an area selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. By permission only. May be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

Prerequisites: PHILOS 222, PHILOS 310WI, PHILOS 320WI, PHILOS 321.