Introduction

To facilitate long-range planning, we have attempted to provide general guidelines concerning the frequency with which each course is offered. For more accurate, up-to-date information, please be sure to consult the current Schedule of Classes and Course Description Guide. It is also important for students to discuss plans with their faculty advisors as well as the instructors of courses which they plan to take.

A key to the various abbreviations and attributes is provided at the bottom of this page. Note also the list of links to Other Pages and More Class Sites.

Courses

PHIL 102 - Ethics
Examines moral values in relation to human behavior. Three basic kinds of moral thinking (descriptive, normative, and critical) are explored through analysis of works like Sophocles'Antigone and Plato's Republic. Discussion of the status and justification of moral judgments, the nature of moral disagreement, and the meaning and application of ethical terms such as virtue, duty, good, happiness, and right.
Offered every semester ---- 3 s.h., LA, HU, IM, T

PHIL 103 - Introduction to Logic
Studies forms of valid reasoning and examines fallacies that arise from language use. Considers deductive and inductive inferences. Analyzes propositions, validity, invalidity, analogy, and hypotheses.
Offered every semester ---- 3 s.h., LA, HU, V, T

PHIL 104 - Philosophical Ideas in Imaginative Literature
An examination of literary expression of philosophical ideas, including: the human condition; our relationship to self, to others, and to the world; happiness; freedom; time; transcendence; love; death; and absurdity.
Offered every third semester ---- 3 s.h., LA, V

PHIL 105 - Business Ethics
The relation of economic values to other values such as health, environmental quality, freedom, justice, equality, self-realization,and the quality of work.
Offered once each year --- 3 s.h., LA, IM, T

PHIL 107 - Philosophies of Art
Traditional and contemporary theories of art and aesthetic experience. Problems of description, meaning, interpretation, and evaluation in the arts.
Offered once each year --- 3 s.h., LA, V, T

PHIL 115 - Survey of World Religions
A critical survey of the world's major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Studies both the philosophical bases and sociocultural manifestations of these religions. Particular attention is give to basic tenets, history, values, and impact of each religion on the development of major civilizations.
Offered every fall ---- 3 s.h., LA, CD, HU, V, A-E
Crosslisted with ANTH 115 and INTD 115

PHIL 194 - Special Topics in Philosophy
Exploratory study of a significant figure or philosophical topic. Special Topics courses are used to respond to items of contemporary interest and develop new material to enrich the regular offerings of the department.
1-6 s.h., LA

PHIL 201 - Theories of Knowledge
Analysis of the epistemic theories of Plato, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Goodman. Concepts include belief, truth, justification, perception, and knowledge.
Offered every other spring ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, V, CW
Prerequisite: 6 s.h. in Philosophy

PHIL 202 - Metaphysics
Examination of metaphysical concepts and systems, both Eastern and Western, classical and contemporary. Topics include the structure and composition of reality, historical change, quality, love, technology, values, and modern science.
Offered every fall ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, V, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy

PHIL 204 - The Literature and Philosophy of Alienation
Study of the intellectual bases of alienation in philosophy and literature. Particular attention is given to the writings of Marx, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Sartre, Camus, and Beckett.
Offered every two years ---- 3 s.h., LA, V
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy

PHIL 205 - Philosophy and Psychology of Yoga
An analysis of the philosophical basis, psychological content, and practical method of Patanjali's Yoga. Special attention is given to various theories concerning the meaning, aim, method, and accomplishment of Yoga. The course also requires practice of physical, breathing, and psychological exercises and exploration of the three stages of concentration.
Offered every spring --- 3 s.h., LA, CD, ICD
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy

PHIL 206 - Philosophy of Life and Death
Philosophical examination of life and death. Topics include the meaning of life, the nature of death, the morality of suicide, the ethics of euthanasia, the rights of the terminally ill, and the possibility of life after death.
Offered every spring --- 3 s.h., LA, WI, IM, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 210 - Symbolic Logic
Investigation of the principles and techniques of modern logic. Special attention is given to the development of standard notation, techniques used to determine validity and invalidity of arguments, the study of basic logical concepts and truth functions, quantification theory, and providing a proof of natural deduction.
Offered every third semester --- 3 s.h., LA, N, T
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or PHIL 103

PHIL 211 - Philosophy of Science
Philosophical examination of the methods, structure, theories, and presuppositions of modern science. Topics include objectivity, explanation, prediction. revolution, progress, and the proper relationship between science and religion.
Offered every other spring --- 3 s.h., LA, V, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing, 3 s.h. in Philosophy, or consent of instructor.

PHIL 212 - Social and Political Philosophy
Analyzes fundamental social and political concepts, including justice, state, equality, opportunity, rights, obligations, sovereignty, and freedom.
Offered once each year --- 3 s.h., LA, IH, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 213 - Philosophy of History and Culture
The philosophical study of civilization, both past and present. Topics include the nature of history, the structure of historical and cultural change, the applicability and limitations of the scientific method, the nature and possibility of objectivity, and the role and significance of the individual.
Offered every other year --- 3 s.h., LA, ICD, CW
Prerequisite: 3 s.h. in Philosophy, History, or Anthropology.

PHIL 214 - Philosophy of Religion
Philosophical study of both Eastern and Western religions. Examines epistemic and metaphysical presuppositions of religions, including the influence of modern science. Analysis of belief, truth, symbolism, and the limits of language.
Offered every two years --- 3 s.h., LA, ICD, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 220 - History of Philosophy I: Ancient Philosophical Thought
An historical consideration of the most significant philosophies in Western Civilization, from Thales to St. Augustine.
Offered once each year ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, IH, CW

PHIL 221 - History of Philosophy II: Modern Philosophical Thought
An historical consideration of the most significant philosophies in Western Civilization, from Aquinas to Kant.
Offered once each year ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, IH, CW

PHIL 222 - Anarchism, Statism, Tradition and Revolution in the 19th Century
An investigation of philosophical and social issues that followed post-Kantian idealism. Includes examination of anarchism, Social Darwinism, Socialism, Positivism, and Utilitarianism. Includes selections from Kropotkin, Spencer, Marx, Comte, and J.S. Mill.
Offered every two years ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, IH, CW

PHIL 230 - Environmental Ethics
Application of ethical concepts to current environmental problems. Issues include defense of the environment and difficulties involved in changing people's attitudes toward nature. Concepts include human responsibility, animal rights, value-neutral science, the role of technology, sustainability, law, politics, beauty, and the role of religion.
Offered once each year ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, IE, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 231 - Media Ethics
Application of ethical concepts to issues surrounding contemporary media and its use, especially TV and video. Questions concern the portrayal of violence, sex, crime, and truth in advertising. Students will be challenged to acquire theoretical knowledge concerning ethics and a sensitivity for the application of that knowledge. Literature, textbook assignments, case studies and video presentations. Students will be encouraged to explore connections between modern mass-media and the moral standards of the society in which we live.
Offered once each year ---- 3 s.h., LA, WI, IM, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 234 - Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
Philosophical developments in the British and American analytic tradition since 1900. Emphasis on G.E. Moore, Russell, Ayer, Quine, and Wittgenstein.
Offered every two years (depending on student interest and availability of faculty). --- 3 s.h., LA, V, T
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 235 - Existentialism
Analysis and evaluation of existentialism, with emphasis on the writings of Kierkegaard, Husserl, Jasper, Heideggar, Marcel, Same, Camus, and Merleau-Ponty.
Offered once each year --- 3 s.h., LA, V
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 240 - Intellectual Development of the United States
Explores dominant themes in American philosophical tradition. Considers religious, political, and literary phases respectively exemplified by Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Jefferson, and R.W. Emerson; and the development of pragmatism, as exemplified by Pierce, James, and Dewey.
Offered every third semester --- 3 s.h., LA, IH, CW
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 250 - Classical Oriental Philosophies
Survey of ancient oriental thought in India and China. Studies Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Offered every third semester --- 3 s.h., LA, CD, ICD
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 251 - Recent Oriental Philosophies
Explores patterns of recent oriental philosophies, including those of Ramakrishna, Gandhi, Chose, Radhakrishnan, Mao Tse-Tung, and Suzuki.
Offered every third semester --- 3 s.h., LA, CD, ICD
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 294 - Special Topics in Philosophy
Exploratory study of a significant figure or philosophical topic. Special Topics courses are used to respond to items of contemporary interest and develop new material to enrich the regular offerings of the department.
1-6 s.h., LA
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or 3 s.h. in Philosophy.

PHIL 299 - Independent Study in Philosophy
Individual studies under faculty supervision.
Offered every semester ---- 1-6 s.h, LA, WI
Prerequisite: 6 s.h. in Philosophy; consent of instructor and department chair.

PHIL 395 - Teaching Assistantship
Provides teaching experience for students majoring in Philosophy. Students work directly under a faculty member. Activities include discussing goals and procedures with instructor, grading quizzes and written assignments, conducting class sessions, and providing tutorial services.
Offered every semester ---- 1-6 s.h.
Prerequisites: 6 s.h. PHIL (including the course for which the student will assist); consent of instructor and department chair. May be repeated for credit with approval of department chair.

PHIL 399 - Independent Study in Philosophy
Individual studies under faculty supervision.
Offered every semester --- 1-6 s.h., LA, WI
Prerequisite: 9 s.h. in Philosophy; consent of instructor and department chair.

• s.h. --- semester hour (credit hour)
  
• LA --- Liberal Arts
  
• A-E --- Letter Grade only

• CD --- Cultural Diversity
  
• HU --- Humanities
  
• WI --- Writing Intensive

• CW --- Writing Skills
  
• ICD --- Cultural Diversity Perspectives
  
• IE ----- Environmental Perspectives
  
• II ------ Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  
• IM ---- Moral and Ethical Perspectives
  
• T ------ Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
  
• V ----- Human Value and Expression