Philosophy

PL-130. Introduction to Philosophy. 3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to philosophy. The course will cover major areas of philosophical concern, including an analytical and historical introduction to logic, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, and philosophy of God. Many of the perennial problems of philosophy such as the nature of knowledge and reality, the mind-body problem, free will vs determinism, reason vs faith, as well as an introduction to major philosophers in the tradition, including, but not limited to, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, and Hume, will be covered. Course Type(s): Core curriculum course.

PL-140. Introduction to Ethics. 3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to moral philosophy, including Natural Law ethics, Kantian deontology, Utilitarian consequentialism, virtue-based ethics, and modern rights theory. These normative theories will be applied to select moral issues, which may include sexual morality, abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, economic justice, discrimination, just war theories, and/or animal rights. Prerequisites: PL-130; Course Type(s): Core curriculum course.

PL-151. Contemporary Ethical Issues. 3 Credits.

A philosophical examination of contemporary moral issues, which may include sexual morality, abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, economic justice, discrimination, just war theories, and/or animal rights. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-153. Logic. 3 Credits.

An examination of the basic principles of human reasoning, with emphasis on traditional logic and critical thinking. Prerequisites: PL-130 PL-140.

PL-200. Rhetoric Speech and Argument. 3 Credits.

This course studies and practices the art and process of persuasion. Students will learn to develop good arguments, identify fallacies, present a position in a convincing manner, and develop ethos or ethical appeal. Prerequisites: PL-130 PL-140.

PL-230. Critical Moral Thinking. 3 Credits.

Conscience is a matter of right reason. This course explores the correct thinking that is necessary in order to form a sound, conscientious judgment concerning matters of personal and/or social morality. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-232. Philosophy of Human Nature. 3 Credits.

A course in philosophical anthropology. This course will investigate some ancient and modern theories that offer explanations for the nature, meaning, and purpose of human beings. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-240. General Ethics. 3 Credits.

A study of the various approaches to ethical theory, including Natural Law theory, Kantian deontology, Utilitarian consequentialism, virtue-based ethics, and modern rights theory. These general normative theories will then be applied to select moral issues. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-241. Environmental and Climate Change Ethics. 3 Credits.

Basic theories of environmental and climate change ethics and philosophy are examined with contemporary issues and problems involving the environment and climiate change. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values.

PL-247. Philosophy of Law. 3 Credits.

A philosophical investigation of both analytic and normative jurisprudence. An examination of the debate between "higher law" theory and legal positivism, the nature of law and morals, theories of rights, constitutionalism, crime and punishment, law and economics. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values.

PL-248. Political Philosophy. 3 Credits.

A philosophical investigation of the person's relationship to the state and civil society. An analysis of the concepts of law, rights, justice, political obligation and authority, civil disobedience, anarchism and revolution. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-252. Justice and Human Rights. 3 Credits.

A philosophical investigation of what constitutes a fair distribution of benefits and burdens, rights and duties, within a truly just society. Discussion of historical and contemporary theories of justice and individual rights, including Rawls and Nozick. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-253. Business Ethics. 3 Credits.

An examination of contemporary moral issues in business, including the nature of economic justice, the rights and duties of economic agents, and the nature of a just society. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-254. Contemporary Issues in Bioethics. 3 Credits.

An examination of contemporary issues in biomedical ethics, including abortion, euthanasia, the doctor-patient relationship, confidentiality, truth-telling, genetics, cloning, reproductive technologies, the just allocation of scarce medical resources. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-256. Food Ethics and Justice. 3 Credits.

An examination of the ethical and moral issues pertaining to food production, distribution, consumption, and justice as it relates to the human right to food. Prerequisites: 2 COURSES; FROM COURSES PL-130 PL-140 TH-110 TH-120 Course Type(s): Values.

PL-258. Criminal Justice Ethics. 3 Credits.

The course examines the justice system from the ethical point of view: the human treatment of human beings. It is concerned with such matters as police procedures, the conduct of trials, operations of correctional institutions, and how they might justly achieve their ends. Prerequisites: 2 COURSES; FROM COURSES PL-130 PL-140 TH-110 TH-120 Course Type(s): Values.

PL-259. Technology Society and Values. 3 Credits.

This course is a study of ethical considerations related to technology and its impact on society. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-306. Existentialism: Dostoevsky to Sartre. 3 Credits.

A study of the philosophy of Existentialism. Existential values as mirrored in selected texts, including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Kafka, Jaspers, and Camus. Values course Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-311. Philosophy and Bob Dylan. 3 Credits.

An investigation of the philosophical, ethical and cultural themes in Bob Dylan's lyrics. Philosophical ideas such as appearance versus reality, truth and knowledge, and good and evil will be explored through a comprehensive study of Dylan's music. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-316. The Philosophy of Immanuel Kant. 3 Credits.

Immanuel Kant is arguably the most important philosopher of modernity. This course explores many key themes and elements of Kant's critical philosophy, including not only his epistemology, but also his great impact on ethical theory and social and political philosophy. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-320. Asian Philosophy. 3 Credits.

An examination of the philosophies of India and China, including a text-based study of the Upanishads, the philosophy of Yoga, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Pluralism,Core curriculum course.

PL-329. Art, Music and Human Values. 3 Credits.

An exploration of the fundamental topics of aesthetics. Questions to be studied include, What is art? What is beauty? What is the intersection between art and morality. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-340. Feminist Philosophy. 3 Credits.

An study of feminist philosophical theory. Topics for discussion include feminist epistemology, feminist social and political philosophy, gender and reproduction, feminist ethics, and patriarchy. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Pluralism,Core curriculum course.

PL-341. Philosophy of Language. 3 Credits.

A study of the nature and origins of language, theories of meaning and the relationship between reality and language. Prerequisites: PL-153 OR INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL; 2 COURSES; FROM COURSES PL-130 PL-140 TH-110 TH-120 Course Type(s): Values.

PL-342. Philosophy of Race and Gender. 3 Credits.

A study of the philosophical theories pertaining to race and gender. Prerequisites: PL-140.

PL-353. Philosophy of Mind. 3 Credits.

A philosophical examination of the nature of consciousness, including such topics as the relationship between mind and body, human freedom, the soul and it's possible immortality. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-360. Ethics of War and Peace. 3 Credits.

This course will examine the ethics of waging war and peace - building from a variety of religious and philosophical perspectives. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values.

PL-390. Special Projects Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Able students and willing teachers may design special courses or other projects for credit in philosophy. Proposals are to be submitted, for review, through the chairperson of the Philosophy Department. Credit is also available to students who wish to enroll in the Cooperative Education Program. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-393. Modern Moral Theory. 3 Credits.

A study of the moral theory and philosophical principles found in the works of Hobbes, Locke, Mill, Bentham and others. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-399. Independent Study. 3 Credits.

PL-425. Symbolic/Mathematical Logic. 3 Credits.

A systematic investigation of mathematical and logical structures. The primary areas of study are the logic of connectives, the logic of quantifiers, and key issues in metalogic. Prerequisites: PL-130 PL-140.

PL-448. Plato's Dialogues. 3 Credits.

Through close study of selected longer dialogues, students will examine Plato's philosophical world-view, including the theory of value and meaning he conveys in his writings as a way of further exploring moral theory. Values course. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-450. Plato's Republic. 3 Credits.

An in-depth study of Plato's "Republic", focusing on the nature of the human soul, the good life for us, the education that best promotes the good life. The role of virtues, and the metaphysics & epistemology that underlies those answers. Prerequisites: ONE SEQUENCE: PL-130 PL-140 OR 2 COURSES FROM TH: Course Type(s): Values,Core curriculum course.

PL-490. Capstone: Ethical Leadership. 3 Credits.

An examination of the moral foundations and ethical considerations of leadership. Key questions to be explored include: What is leadership? What are the ethical consequences of poor leadership? How should ethical leadership be cultivated? Prerequisites: PL-153 PL-252; Course Type(s): Capstone.

PL-495. Exploring Philosophy Overseas. 3 Credits.

This course explores various philosophical concepts as they relate to foreign intellectual traditions and cultures. Topics to be explored include the origin and/or development of philosophical ideas in other countries, the relationship of those ideas to past and contemporary philosophical traditions, and the role of culture in the development of philosophical ideas. Additional travel course fee of $50. Course Type(s): International (Travel),Core curriculum course.