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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog | 20263

PDF of Philosophy Courses

Philosophy Courses

All Philosophy Courses

PHIL 1100 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

Introduction to a variety of philosophical issues and the philosophers, past and present, who have tried to resolve them. Selection of readings and approach vary with instructor. [Core Curriculum Goal Area 6]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1910 Directed Independent Study (3 credits)

Arranged individual study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1920 Directed Group Study (3 credits)

Arranged group study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1930 Experimental Course (3 credits)

A course proposed for inclusion in the University curriculum. May not be offered more than two times as an experimental course.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1940 In-Service Course (3 credits)

A course for practitioners seeking additional training or expertise in their current vocation or profession. The in-service format typically includes an educational experience in which a University faculty member and a group of students concentrate on working toward the resolution of a specific problem.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1950 Workshop, Institute, Tour (3 credits)

An intense, credit-granting academic experience of short duration (usually from two days to two weeks) that is not listed in the current University curriculum. Provides for the practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting, and may include the development of methods and skills and the discussion of ideas and principles.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1960 Special Purpose Instruction (3 credits)

A course intended for specific groups or organizations outside the University community.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1970 Internship (3 credits)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1980 Research (3 credits)

Research carried out by the student that is based on appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 1990 Thesis (3 credits)

A thesis written by the student that reports extensive original research carried out by the student and demonstrates appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2220 Ethics (3 credits)

Introduction to the philosophical treatment of selected moral issues; alternative theories of ethical right and wrong, good and bad will also be addressed. [**Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 9]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2230 Logic (3 credits)

Methods of distinguishing between correct and incorrect reasoning. Special emphasis on deductive reasoning and informal fallacies. [Core Curriculum Goal Area 4]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2240 Aesthetics (3 credits)

Philosophical problems involved in judgment and experience of beauty and ugliness in nature and art of various kinds. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area 6]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2250 Human Nature (3 credits)

Various views of the nature of human beings. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 8]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2260 Women and Gender in Philosophy (3 credits)

A historical survey of the views of patriarchal and feminist thinkers from antiquity to the present, covering major philosophical views of gender, sexual identity, sexuality and gender roles. The course will also bring philosophical thinking to bear on contemporary ethical, political and cultural debates. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 8]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2290 Topics in Philosophy (3 credits)

Study of a specific subject, figure or tradition in philosophy. Might not be offered every year.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2330 War, Peace and Protest (3 credits)

A survey of philosophical views of violence and nonviolence, from multiple cultures and perspectives. Classic views of the ethics of war, protest and conflict resolution are covered, along with contemporary topics. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 9]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2400 The American Mind (3 credits)

The American Mind acquaints students with American philosophical traditions, emphasizing the diversity of views on topics such as freedom, knowledge, faith, class and "the American dream." The specific themes of the course will be up to the instructor, but the course will emphasize philosophies about and from the Americas. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 9]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2910 Directed Independent Study (3 credits)

Arranged individual study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2920 Directed Group Study (3 credits)

Arranged group study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2925 People of the Environment: Environmental Ethics Perspective (3 credits)

The purpose of this section of People of the Environment is to examine our moral obligations to the environment. No matter how strong these moral obligations may be, the only way to follow through with them is in the political arena. This course is therefore largely devoted to exploring the intersection of environmental ethics and politics. The course explores a number of environmental issues, the theoretical and practical impasses of the environmental movement, and environmental philosophy, as well as the challenge of mitigating global climate change.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2930 Experimental Course (3 credits)

A course proposed for inclusion in the University curriculum. May not be offered more than two times as an experimental course.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2940 In-Service Course (3 credits)

A course for practitioners seeking additional training or expertise in their current vocation or profession. The in-service format typically includes an educational experience in which a University faculty member and a group of students concentrate on working toward the resolution of a specific problem.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2950 Workshop, Institute, Tour (3 credits)

An intense, credit-granting academic experience of short duration (usually from two days to two weeks) that is not listed in the current University curriculum. Provides for the practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting, and may include the development of methods and skills and the discussion of ideas and principles.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2954 Study-Travel, Humanities and the Arts (1-6 credits)

Study-Travel HUM [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2960 Special Purpose Instruction (3 credits)

A course intended for specific groups or organizations outside the University community.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2970 Internship (3 credits)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2980 Research (3 credits)

Research carried out by the student that is based on appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 2990 Thesis (3 credits)

A thesis written by the student that reports extensive original research carried out by the student and demonstrates appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3100 Bioethics (3 credits)

A survey of philosophical concepts and debates in bioethics, including the ethics of bio-medical research, healthcare and public health. Students will be prepared for bioethical issues in the workplace and civic life. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 9]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3200 Philosophy of Religion (3 credits)

A survey of major concepts and debates in the philosophy of religion, inclusive of multiple religious and non-religious traditions. Topics may include religious pluralism, the existence of God/s, the relationship of reason and faith, religion and violence, the role of religion in a democratic society. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3310 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (3 credits)

History of philosophy in the ancient and medieval world. Offered every other year in rotation with PHIL 3320, 3330 and 3340. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 8.]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3320 Modern Philosophy (3 credits)

History of philosophy in the modern world, approximately the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Offered every other year in rotation with PHIL 3310, 3330 and 3340. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3330 Nineteenth Century Philosophy (3 credits)

History of European philosophy from Hegel to Nietzsche. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3340 Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Philosophy (3 credits)

This course covers the major movements in twentieth and twenty-first century philosophy. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 7A]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3360 Asian Philosophy (3 credits)

Historical survey of influential philosophies and philosophers of Asia. Might not be offered every year. [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 8.]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3380 Political Philosophy (3 credits)

Survey of major theories of government, law and justice in political philosophy, with an emphasis on modern traditions. Course will also equip students to apply political philosophy to contemporary issues, e.g., torture, global poverty, free expression [Core Curriculum Goal Area(s) 6 & 9]
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3910 Directed Indepedent Study (3 credits)

Arranged individual study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3920 Directed Group Study (3 credits)

Arranged group study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3930 Experimental Course (3 credits)

A course proposed for inclusion in the University curriculum. May not be offered more than two times as an experimental course.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3940 In-Service Course (3 credits)

A course for practitioners seeking additional training or expertise in their current vocation or profession. The in-service format typically includes an educational experience in which a University faculty member and a group of students concentrate on working toward the resolution of a specific problem.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3950 Workshop, Institute, Tour (3 credits)

An intense, credit-granting academic experience of short duration (usually from two days to two weeks) that is not listed in the current University curriculum. Provides for the practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting, and may include the development of methods and skills and the discussion of ideas and principles.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3960 Special Purpose Instruction (3 credits)

A course intended for specific groups or organizations outside the University community.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3970 Internship (3 credits)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3980 Research (3 credits)

Research carried out by the student that is based on appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 3990 Thesis (3 credits)

A thesis written by the student that reports extensive original research carried out by the student and demonstrates appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4490 Close Readings in Philosophy (1-3 credits)

In this course students will practice a close reading of a single text over the course of the semester. We will pay very close attention to the author's strategic choice of vocabulary. We will become attentive to the thinkers to whom the philosopher responds, as well as the historical and philosophical influences that shape the ideas presented in the text. We will move slowly through each paragraph, thinking carefully about the practical implications of each element of the theory in question, as well as the theory as a whole. Topics will vary from semester to semester.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4910 Directed Independent Study (3 credits)

Arranged individual study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4917 DIS Tchg Assoc | (1-2 credits)

Directed Independent Study | Teaching Associate
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4920 Directed Group Study (3 credits)

Arranged group study.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4930 Experimental Course (3 credits)

A course proposed for inclusion in the University curriculum. May not be offered more than two times as an experimental course.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4940 In-Service Course (3 credits)

A course for practitioners seeking additional training or expertise in their current vocation or profession. The in-service format typically includes an educational experience in which a University faculty member and a group of students concentrate on working toward the resolution of a specific problem.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4950 Workshop, Institute, Tour (3 credits)

An intense, credit-granting academic experience of short duration (usually from two days to two weeks) that is not listed in the current University curriculum. Provides for the practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting, and may include the development of methods and skills and the discussion of ideas and principles.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4960 Special Purpose Instruction (3 credits)

A course intended for specific groups or organizations outside the University community.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4970 Internship (3 credits)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4980 Research (3 credits)

Research carried out by the student that is based on appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline

PHIL 4990 Thesis (3 credits)

A thesis written by the student that reports extensive original research carried out by the student and demonstrates appropriate methodology and scholarship.
Common Course Outline