Philosophy
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
D’Amico, R., Chair; Auxter, T.; Aydede, M.; Baum, R.; Biro, J.; Haynes, R.; Holly, M.G.; Kaufman, D.; Liu, C.; Ludwig, K.; Palmer, J.; Ray, G.; Thorpe, C.; Tresan, J.; Witmer, G.
Undergraduate Coordinator: C. Liu
Graduate Coordinator: K. Ludwig
PHH 3100 Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Credits: 3.
A sustained study of Plato and Aristotle with some consideration of pre-Socratic antecedents and Hellenistic successors. (H, I) GR-E†
PHH 3400 Modern Philosophy.
Credits: 3.
A survey of the work of major philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries, from Descartes to Kant, in the primary texts. (H, I)
PHH 4644 Continental Philosophy.
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHH 3400 or PHP 3786 or consent of the instructor.
A study of selected works by 19th and 20th century continental philosophers, with emphasis to be determined by the instructor. Selections to include such thinkers as Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Foucault. (H)
PHH 4701 American Indian Philosophy.
Credits 3.
This course focuses on core concepts of North American Indian philosophy concerning the systemic nature of reality and cognitive, spiritual and ethical connections. Topics may include the cultural study of cognition, perception and gender roles, methods of knowing, philosophy of nature and legality.
PHH 4930 Seminar in a Major Philosopher.
Credits: 3. May be repeated with change of content up to a maximum of 6 credits.
A variable topic seminar on the work of a major historical or contemporary philosopher. Examples of philosophers who might be studied under this course number are Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Hobbes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Berkeley, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Mill, Marx, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Russell, Moore, Sartre, Wittgenstein and Quine. A detailed course description will be available in the philosophy department office prior to registration for terms in which the course is offered. (H)
PHI 2010 Introduction to Philosophy.
Credits: 3.
An introduction to philosophy through a study of a number of traditional central questions of philosophy, for example, questions about the existence of God, the nature of the mind, the definition of "good," freedom of the will, and criteria of truth and knowledge. The particular issues emphasized may vary with the instructor. (H) GR-E†
PHI 2100 Logic.
Credits: 3.
A survey at an elementary level of a variety of different methods of formal and informal analysis of the logical structure of propositions and arguments. Possible topics include syllogistic logic, propositional logic, quantification logic, inductive logic, informal fallacies and probability. (M) GR-M†
PHI 2630 Contemporary Moral Issues.
Credits: 3.
An introduction to moral philosophy through selected contemporary issues, e.g. abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering and the treatment of animals. (H) GR-E†
PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic.
Credits: 3.
A systematic study of forms of deduction; techniques and topics include truth-functional analysis and quantification. (M) GR-M†
PHI 3300 Theory of Knowledge.
Credits: 3.
A study of the central topics and concepts of the theory of knowledge, including the analysis of the concepts of knowledge, truth, justification, and related concepts, the nature of empirical knowledge, the problem of skepticism, the nature of a priori knowledge, and the structure of the justification of our beliefs. (H)
PHI 3400 Philosophy of Natural Science.
Credits: 3.
A study of central contemporary issues in the philosophy of natural science, e.g., the nature of laws, the logic of discovery, and the relationships between different sciences. The sciences most used for illustration vary with the instructor. (H)
PHI 3420 Philosophy of the Social Sciences.
Credits: 3.
A study of such issues as the possibility of social laws, the nature of social explanation and rationality, and the role of value judgments in social-scientific research. (H)
PHI 3500 Metaphysics.
Credits 3.
A study of one or more of the problems of "first philosophy." For example, subjects of study might include the concepts of existence, essence, object, property, and event, universals and particulars, the nature of change, possibility, causation, space and time. Also, many traditional philosophical issues such as free will, the mind/body problem, personal identity, and the existence of abstract entities (e.g., numbers), fall in the domain of academic metaphysics, as do broad philosophical views, such as realism, idealism, materialism, and relativism. Course focus may vary with the interests of the instructor. (H)
PHI 3640 Environmental Ethics.
Credits: 3.
PHI 3650 Moral Philosophy.
Credits: 3.
Analysis and criticism of various normative ethical theories, such as egoism, utilitarianism, Kantianism, deontology and virtue ethics. (H)
PHI 3905 Individual Study.
Credits: 1 to 3, maximum 6.
Available by department permission to upper division students who make suitable advance application to the Undergraduate Coordinator.
PHI 3930 Special Topics.
Credits 3. May be repeated with a change of content up to a maximum of 6 credits.
Check the department office for a course description for the term in which it is given. (H)
PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing.
Credits: 3; Prereq: enrollment is limited to philosophy majors.
An intensive course in philosophical writing. Topics to be treated will vary with the instructor. (H, C) GR-E†
PHI 4220 Philosophy of Language.
Credits 3.
A study of the major topics and concepts of the philosophy of language. Topics typically covered will include truth and meaning, speech act theory, reference and descriptions, names and demonstratives, propositional attitudes and indirect discourse, the nature of language, and metaphor. Course focus may vary with the interests of the instructor. (H)
PHI 4320 Philosophy of Mind.
Credits: 3.
A study of the central problems of the philosophy of mind, including the mind-body problem, the nature of mental states, intentionality and representation, sensation and consciousness, and related topics. (H)
PHI 4662 Ethical Theory 1.
Credits: 3.
Advanced topics in moral theory, such as cognitivism, obligations and permissions, moral reasons, and moral epistemology. (H)
PHI 4905 Individual Work.
Credits: 1 to 3; max 6.
Available by departmental permission to upper division students who have taken at least 12 hours of philosophy and who make suitable advance application via the undergraduate coordinator.
PHI 4912 Honors Project.
Credits: 3.
Open to qualified philosophy majors upon application to the undergraduate coordinator.
PHI 4930 Special Topics.
Credits: 3; May be repeated with change of content up to a maximum of 6 credits.
Check the department office for a course description for the term in which it is given.
PHM 2204 Social Issues and Political Thought.
Credits: 3.
A survey of fundamental issues, designed as an introduction to classic works in political philosophy. Topics such as comparative systems, authority, and freedom will be discussed. (H) GR-E†
PHM 3032 Ethics and Ecology.
Credits: 3.
A normative study of the relationships between human beings and the environment, with special emphasis on land and resources. (H)
PHM 3123 Feminism.
Credits: 3.
An analysis of theoretical and practical issues in feminism such as radical, liberal and socialist perspectives, gender roles and equal opportunity. This course is an elective in Women’s Studies. (H, I)
PHM 3202 Political Philosophy.
Credits: 3.
A study of philosophical problems about such issues as political freedom, justice, obligation and coercion. (H) GR-E†
PHM 3400 Introduction to Philosophy of Law.
Credits 3.
An introduction to philosophical issues in legal thought and practice. It is designed especially for pre-law majors and as an introduction to PHM 4440 (Philosophy of Law). It introduces the student to the types of philosophical issues that the major schools of legal thought have attempted to resolve. (H) GR-E†
PHM 3500 Philosophy of History.
Credits: 3.
A study of the philosophical problems raised by historical explanations and narratives of past events. (H)
PHM 3640 Ethics of Communication.
Credits: 3.
An examination of ethical issues in communication between individuals and in the media. Possible topics include truth-telling, misrepresentation, privacy and fairness. (H)
PHM 4440 Philosophy of Law.
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHM 3400 or consent of instructor.
An examination of philosophical issues in legal theory such as the concept of law, legal reasoning, responsibility and punishment. (H)
PHP 3786 Existentialism.
Credits: 3.
An examination of the existentialist movement in philosophy through readings from such figures as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre. (H)
PHP 4784 Analytic Philosophy.
Credits: 3.
A study of the major philosophers, themes, and developments of the analytic tradition, from Frege, Russell, Moore, and Wittgenstein, to Quine, Austin and contemporary figures. (H)
