PHIL-Philosophy

PHIL2010. Introduction to Philosophy (3)

A study of the major problems with which philosophy deals and an introduction to the major philosophers of the Western world. Students will be introduced to critical thinking and writing.

PHIL2020. Ethics (3)

An introduction to the concept of good, involving a study of the major ethical theories of the West and their applications to contemporary moral problems.

PHIL3010. History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (3)

A chronological study of the foundations of Western thought from the early Greeks through the medieval period, concentrating on the primary source material from Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas.

PHIL3020. History of Modern Philosophy (3)

A survey of the major philosophers of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries with special consideration for the influence of their thought upon the modern world.

PHIL3060. Critical Reasoning (2)

An introduction to the science and art of reasoning, including both deductive and inductive reasoning processes. Basic concepts such as validity, soundness, strength, and argument evaluation will be covered. The course will be primarily concerned with uncovering pitfalls in everyday reasoning, e.g., probabilistic reasoning, informal fallacies, biases and distortions in perception and memory, context and emotion in thought processes, and social aspects of reasoning and persuasion.

PHIL3070. Formal Logic (2)

An introduction to the characteristics of valid argumentation, including the recognition, recasting, construction, and evaluation of arguments and statements. The principles of symbolic logic, including both the syntax and the semantics of the sentential and the predicate calculus, will be covered. Offered: Alternate years.

PHIL3094. Topics in Philosophy (1-3)

An examination of a specific area in philosophy. Topics will be announced as the course is scheduled and may include: applied ethical theory, philosophy of education, philosophy of logic, philosophy of nature, etc. Offered: Alternate years.

PHIL3410. Philosophy and Literature of Existentialism (3)

A study of the major concepts of existential philosophy along with the literary styles that are used by the major existential thinkers. The study will include Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, Tillich, and Buber. (See THEO3410) Offered: Alternate years.

PHIL3510. Philosophy of Science (2)

A survey of the important epistemological foundations of scientific investigation. The study will provide students with an opportunity to make critical evaluation of these foundations. The nature of scientific inquiry and discovery will be examined historically. The course will also focus attention on ethical implications of scientific investigations and will stress interdisciplinary dialogue.

PHIL3580. Love (3)

An examination of theological and philosophical aspects of love. There will be a spiritual formation project. Prerequisites: THEO2100. (See THEO3580)

PHIL3600. Clinical Ethics (3)

A review of the traditional theories of and the contemporary ethical applications to health care. The focus is the integration of ethical responsibility and the medical environment. Theorists and practitioners will contribute insight about methodology and motives that determine the decisions that are made in the dynamic of modern medical care.

PHIL4210. Contemporary Philosophy (3)

A survey of the philosophers of the 20th century and the trends in natural, social, and political science that have impacted their thought. Both the analytic and continental streams of thought will be addressed with special attention given to positivism, existentialism, linguistic analysis, and postmodernism. Prerequisites: 4 credits in philosophy or instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years.

PHIL4420. Metaphysics and Epistemology (3)

A systematic study of the structure and meaning of reality as well as the nature of knowledge and what constitutes a valid knowledge claim. The study may include such issues as space, time, causation, universals, possible worlds, freedom, God, skepticism, other minds, belief, truth and justification. Prerequisites: 4 credits in philosophy or instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years.

PHIL4520. Philosophy of Religion (3)

A constructive study of religious claims, thoughts, and practices from the philosophic point of view. Special attention is given to problems such as: the idea of God, immortality, evil, freedom and determinism. Prerequisites: 4 credits in philosophy or instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years.

PHIL4980. Seminar in Philosophy (3)

A study of topics will be announced as the course is scheduled and could include: personality, social philosophy, philosophy of science, and aesthetics. Prerequisites: 6 credits in philosophy or instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years.

STEP PROGRAM

PHIL3120. Philosophical Concepts (3)

An introduction to basic philosophical concepts. Special attention will be given to understanding and critical response. Prerequisites: Admission to the STEP Program.