Academic Courses

Philosophy

NOTE: All philosophy courses except PHIL 111 emphasize the ability to write short essays. There are no formal prerequisites for any philosophy course.

PHIL 101
Introduction to Philosophy
3-0-3
Systematic critical examination of some fundamental problems of philosophy. Focus on the nature of philosophy and philosophical analysis. Examples from the major areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, philosophy of religion and ethics.

PHIL 111
Critical Thinking
3-0-3
Principles of critical thinking and problem solving, deductive and inductive logic and fallacies. Includes the analysis of formal and informal arguments.

PHIL 151/RS 151
World Religions
3-0-3
Introduction to many of the world’s major religious traditions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam) as well as other selected ancient and modern religious traditions. The course will also consider the nature and significance of religious experience, the impact of religion on culture, basic approaches to the study of religion, and different theories used to interpret religious beliefs and practices.

Phil 152/RS 152
Philosophy of Religion
3-0-3
Systematic and historical analysis of philosophical problems of religion, such as the problem of evil and theodicy, the conflict between religion and science, the relationship between faith and reason, the nature of religious language, and arguments about the nature and existence of God.

PHIL 202
Philosophy of Love and Sexuality
3-0-3
Analysis of concepts of love from Plato to Freud and to contemporary feminism. Discussion of selected problems in sexual ethics related to topics such as marriage, monogamy, promiscuity, adultery, perversion, rape, and homosexuality.

PHIL 211
Ethical Problems
3-0-3
Classical and contemporary ethical theories and their practical applications.

PHIL 215
Social and Political Philosophy
3-0-3
Examination of some classical and contemporary social and political theories. Analysis of key concepts, e.g., justice, freedom, political obligation, socialism, democracy.

PHIL 297H
Philosophy in the Context of Intellectual History: Ancient and Medieval (Honors)
3-0-3
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy from the Pre-Socratics to the Reformation with special attention to its relationship to intellectual history and contemporary intellectual problems. Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H.

PHIL 298H
Philosophy in the Context of Intellectual History: Modern (Honors)
3-0-3
Modern Philosophy from Descartes and Hobbes to the 21st Century with special attention to its relationship to intellectual history and contemporary intellectual problems. Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H. Corequisites: HUSS 298H, ENGL 298H, HIST 298H, ENGL 296H or ENGL 295H.