PHIL - Philosophy

This course introduces students to philosophy through a discussion of some of the philosophical issues and concerns that are part of life in the contemporary world. It explores what it means for something to be a philosophical question as well as the kind of rigorous examination and good argumentation that philosophers use in exploring possible answers to those questions.

This course examines philosophical issues in feminism, gender and sexuality. We will examine forms of oppression and explore philosophical discussions of gender and sexuality as well as consider their application to core debates in applied ethical issues. Practical issues discussed typically include reproductive rights, objectification, sex work, surrogate motherhood, pornography, and cross-cultural feminist dialogue. Students of all gender identities are encouraged to take this course.

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of Greco-Roman religion and philosophy. Students are introduced to the ancient world first via its public and private religious practices and then via its philosophical perspectives on issues such as free will, ethical conflicts and the nature of the just person and the just state.

Credit by exam. This course is an introduction to informal logic, which uses ordinary language to identify and evaluate arguments and to identify and avoid common fallacies, and to formal symbolic logic, which uses symbolic notation and inference and equivalence rules to prove the deductive validity of arguments. (Recommended for students taking the LSAT.)

This course explores some of the contemporary philosophical questions and issues raised by films (and tv) as well as engages in meaningful discussion about differing values and evaluation of possible answers to the questions raised. Particular attention will be given to discussion of ethics, identity, reality, and meaning.

An inquiry into the nature and possibilities of human beings and a critical analysis of the meaning of responsibility in society. Study will focus on matters of practical as well as theoretical import (e.g. leadership, ideal communities).

This course uses philosophical readings and methods to explore ethical issues related to intimate human relationships, including relationships with friends and family as well as with romantic partners. It considers the kinds of moral responsibilities that intimate relationships generate, explores some of the ethical issues surrounding healthy expressions of love, and examines the conditions that enhance or diminish sexual agency and that make love and sex mutually empowering.

Ethics and leadership in key areas of society: e.g., education, religion, the military, corporations, and politics. The focus is on key principles of conduct and relevant virtues, such as courage, faith, humility, fortitude, and prudence. Theory and practice will be analyzed together, as examples will be drawn from important historical episodes.

This course introduces students to the variety of ethical challenges that confront professionals in such fields as law, journalism, business and management. Students critically examine issues in professional ethics primarily by applying moral theories to practical case studies.

This course studies classical and contemporary ethical theories as the source and justification of moral values. It asks students to evaluate those theories and their application to personal moral values as well as to pressing contemporary moral issues and problems.

Prerequisites: Completion 200-level PHIL course or permission of instructor. This course examines basic advances in genetics, reproductive medicine and in combating infectious diseases and explores their ethical implications, particularly for non-Western cultures. Students use a case study approach to consider topics like genetics, epidemics, euthanasia and reproductive technology from a global, non-Western perspective.

Prerequisites: 6 credits in philosophy and permission of the instructor. Students work independently on some philosophic subject matter selected in consultation with the department. Reports and papers are given during the semester.

An upper-level special topics course offered at the discretion of the department. The content and methods vary with the interest of students and faculty members

Prerequisites: 18 credits in philosophy and permission of the department. Participation in a supervised off-campus educational project that provides students with an opportunity to exercise philosophical reflection in a nonacademic setting. Credit requires submission of written work discussing the philosophical issues and/or implications of the work done in the internship. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.