All Course Offerings
These courses are offered by the Philosophy Department. Course content varies from semester to semester. Click on the course title to view a recent syllabus for each course.
150: Basic Philosophy (3 hours)
Introduction to typical methods and problems of philosophic thought, with emphasis on forming and evaluating a personal world view.
151: Ethics (3 hours)
Introduction to the nature and grounds of moral obligation, virtue and the good life from both ancient and modern ethical perspectives.
152: Logic (3 hours)
Introduction to principles of sound reasoning with emphasis on formal and informal techniques for evaluating arguments.
201: History of Philosophy I (3 hours)
Survey of the development of Western philosophical thought within its cultural contexts from ancient Greece through the Middle Ages. Exploration of foundational approaches to questions of reality, virtue, knowledge, God, faith and reason.
203: History of Philosophy II (3 hours)
Survey of the development of Western philosophical thought within its cultural contexts from the Renaissance through the eighteenth century. Exploration of issues foundational to contemporary philosophy, theology and the sciences.
301: Indian Religious Philosophies (3 hours)
A study of the emergence of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Zen with emphasis given to basic concepts, major figures, cultural and historical development. (Same as Religion 301) Prerequisites: one course from Religion 221, 222, 223 or 224; one course in Philosophy.
303: Eastern Religious Philosophies (3 hours)
A study of the emergence of Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism with emphasis given to basic concepts, major figures, cultural and historical development. (Same as Religion 303) Prerequisites: one course from Religion 221, 222, 223 or 224; one course in Philosophy.
315: Existentialism and Idealism (3 hours)
A study of the emergence of existentialist philosophy and literature in the nineteenth century as a response to idealist philosophy. Major figures to be covered include Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky and Kafka. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
325: Business Ethics (3 hours)
Introduction to both the moral issues involved in business management and the ethical concepts and analytical skills relevant to resolving those issues. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
335: Theories of Economic Justice (3 hours)
Introduction to contemporary theories of distributive justice and their application to the free market, welfare programs, and societal regulation of business activity. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
345: Environmental Philosophy and Ethics (3 hours)
Philosophical exploration of the concept of the natural environment, including a survey of ethical positions that guide human habitation in nature. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
355: Philosophy of Religion (3 hours)
Philosophical exploration of the classical issues of theistic religious thought, such as the reality of God, the problem of evil, religious language, life after death, and the pluralism of religious traditions. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy; one course from Religion 221, 222, 223 224.
365: Social and Political Philosophy (3 hours)
Survey of the contemporary theoretical standpoints in political philosophy with some attention to their historical precedents. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
370: Topics in Philosophy (3 hours)
The study of a special topic in philosophy, announced at advanced registration. Recent offerings include Postmodernism, Feminist Philosophies, and Friendship and Love. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
375: Tutorial Topics (3 hours)
The study of a special topic in philosophy using a one-on-one tutorial method of instruction adapted from humanities courses at Oxford University and Cambridge University. Please check with department for a list of current offerings. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy and permission of the instructor.
380: Medical Ethics (3 hours)
Philosophical exploration of the moral issues involved in the practice and management of medicine, including a basic introduction to the moral concepts and analytical skills relevant to resolving these issues. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
412: American Philosophy (3 hours)
Survey of the most influential American philosophies from the colonial period to the present: Puritanism, Deism, transcendentalism, pragmatism, and process philosophy. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
435: Contemporary Philosophy (3 hours)
Survey of the key figures in contemporary philosophy from both the analytic and continental traditions. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy (preferably either 201 or 203).
440: Independent Study (3 hours)
With the approval and permission of a member of the Philosophy faculty and the chair of the Philosophy Department, students may undertake independent reading and research on a philosophical topic of their own choosing. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy. 440. Independent Study. (3 hours) With the approval and permission of a member of the Philosophy faculty and the chair of the Philosophy Department, students may undertake independent reading and research on a philosophical topic of their own choosing. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.
450: Seminar (3 hours)
Class presentation of research on a philosophical topic, announced at advanced registration, with the guidance of a member of the Philosophy faculty. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.