PHL - Philosophy

A study of philosophical methods and concepts via selected philosophical systems and problems.

Studies principles of correct reasoning: formal and informal arguments.

Examines major systems of thought regarding problems of moral value and the good life.

Examines major concepts and methods of 20th- and 21st- century philosophy.

An examination of selected topics in the philosophy of art and critical appreciation such as the nature of art, aesthetic experience and aesthetic objects.

Examines the nature and validity of religious beliefs.

An examination by case study of moral problems in the business world. Topics include the obligation of industry to the natural environment, governmental regulation of private enterprise, employee rights and truth in advertising. Develops a number of ethical theories to assist the analysis.

An investigation of selected moral problems that arise in the contemporary biomedical setting. Issues include abortion, euthanasia, patient rights, animal experimentation, in-vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood and genetic engineering.

An examination of issues that arise from human beings interacting with their natural environment. Initial discussion involves selected ethical problems that arise from human use of "common systems" (e.g., the atmosphere, oceans, wilderness). Further discussions consider whether ecological systems, natural features and non-human animals have moral worth independent of their utility for human commerce.

Designed to strengthen students' skills in reasoning about problems and issues of everyday life by helping them to distinguish between good and bad arguments. Students work to achieve these goals through reading and discussion of course materials, written analyses of others' arguments or development of their own arguments, and class debates for practice in persuasive argument.

An examination of ancient philosophy in the Western world with a concentration on the philosophical views of Plato and Aristotle.

A study of major social and political systems and issues from Plato to the present.

What is the mind? How is it related to the brain and body? How is it connected to the world? What exactly is consciousness? This course is an introduction to the philosophy of mind, with a focus on issues of metaphysics. Topics covered may include mind-brain dualism, logical behaviorism, mind-brain identity theory, functionalism, connectionism, artificial intelligence, philosophical questions about mental representation and the nature of consciousness, embodied cognition, and other current trends in philosophy of mind.

An in-depth study of selected philosophers or philosophical problems. May be repeated if content varies.

A study of the views of selected modern philosophers from Descartes to Kant.

An introduction to Indian and East Asian philosophy. Surveys the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, early Indian Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism (a.k.a. Taoism) and East Asian Buddhism.

Please note: This course was cross-listed as REL 217 prior to the 2013-2014 academic year. Students who took the course as REL 217 may not repeat it.

An investigation into the nature of emotions and their relationship to rationality and moral responsibility. We first examine some traditional philosophical accounts that analyze emotions in terms of specific sensations. We then examine a Freudian account of emotion, which holds that one can have an unconsciuous emotion. Existential theories of emotion are then considered, followed by an examination of contemporary cognitive theories.

A study of central themes in existential philosophy and literature.

A study of film as an aesthetic medium. Explores the social, technological, historical and artistic influences on the development of cinema. Also examines how theories of film (i.e., realism, formalism, expressionism and semiology) affect the aesthetic construction and critical reception of films.

What is democracy? How is it tied to justice? Is liberal democracy the only legitimate form of democracy? Can we make democracy better? How should democracy be shaped by culture and context? This course focuses on contemporary philosophical debates about democracy, but readings also include texts in political theory and political philosophy. Specific topics may include democratic representation; minimalism/realism about democracy; liberal democracy; classical pluralism; social choice theory; difference democracy and issues of gender, race, and class; deliberative democracy; green/environmental democracy; globalization and cross-cultural issues as they relate to democracy.

This course will introduce students to the academic field of the Philosophy of Law.  Students will be exposed to, and develop their capacity to think critically about, historically influential philosophical answers to the following questions: “What is the nature of the law, and what makes something a valid or legitimate law? Should the law reflect morality, or does it somehow constitute or create morality?” This course will also examine the philosophy of constitutional law, contract law, criminal law, rights to property, free speech, free practice of religion, privacy, pornography, abortion, gay marriage, affirmative action, and punishment. It is recommended that students have had at least one course in Philosophy, Criminology, or Government & World Affairs, but this course may be taken as a first course in Philosophy by ambitious students who are interested in the subject matter.

An in-depth survey of classical Chinese philosophy, with an emphasis on the cross-cultural comparison of philosophical traditions, methods, and commitments. This course will focus on classical Confucianism and Daoism (Taoism), but will also cover topics such as Mohism, the legalist philosophy of Hanfeizi, and Yin/Yang metaphysics. It is recommended that students have had at least one course in philosophy, religion, or Asian studies (including Asian languages), but this course may be taken as a first course in philosophy or Asian studies by ambitious students who are interested in the subject matter.

An exploration of special topics in Asian or Indian philosophy, with an emphasis on the cross-cultural comparison of philosophical traditions, methods and commitments. It is recommended that students have had at least one course in philosophy, religion, or Asian studies (including Asian languages), but this course may be taken as a first course in philosophy or Asian studies by ambitious students who are interested in the subject matter. May be repeated if content varies.

An exploration of one or more special topics in philosophy. It is recommended that students have had at least one philosophy course, but this course may be taken as a first philosophy course by ambitious students who are interested in the subject matter. May be repeated if content varies. Students will write philosophical research papers that undergo formal review and revision, and they will do other kinds of writing while engaging with philosophical issues.

A project designed in consultation with a full-time professor in philosophy in which the student researches a philosophical topic or problem. May be repeated if content varies. Students will write at least one philosophical research paper that undergoes review and revision, and they will do other kinds of writing while engaging with philosophical issues.

Capstone course in which a student, in consultation with a full-time philosophy professor, writes a major research thesis on a philosophical topic.