Courses

Please refer to the Registrar site for current academic year offerings.

Phl 101. Logic and Inquiry I
(Perspectives I course)
An introduction to Aristotelian and Stoic logic with a view to understanding the nature of logic and its role in inquiry.
3 credits, 3 hours

Note: A PI course in Philosophy is a prerequisite for all PII courses in Philosophy.

Phl 201. Logic and Inquiry II
(Perspectives II course)
An introduction to 'material logic,' that is, an exploration of the different kinds of knowing -- demonstrative, dialectical, rhetorical and intuitive -- achieved in human inquiry, and the relation of logic to each of them. All discussions are set within the context of an investigation of the nature of education, as distinct from training or indoctrination.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 211. Ethics
(Perspectives II course)
One of the most important ethical questions posed by Ancient Greek philosophy was this one: "What is the best way to live?". That question will serve as a guiding line for this introductory course, which will examine the various approaches that major philosophical thinkers have made to the study of philosophical ethics in answer to that question. Topics will include the problem of moral relativism, the relation between knowledge and virtue, virtue ethics, stoicism, an ethics based on pure reason, utilitarianism, and existentialism. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Kant, Mill, Sartre, and de Beauvoir.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 222. The Philosophy of Art
(Perspectives II course)
An introduction to some of the many philosophical issues that surround art and the aesthetic through an examination of the following topics: historical and modern conceptions of the 'aesthetic', the relationship between the arts and society, expression and creativity, and understanding and interpreting art. Differences between art, craft, entertainment, the aesthetic and the beautiful will be explored.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 224. The Philosophy of Religion
(Perspectives II course)
The central questions of the course will concern the possibility of miracles, what they are supposed to be and what role they are supposed to play in religion. But these questions will necessarily involve us in readings and discussions that take up such topics as the supposed contrast between 'faith' and 'reason,' the notion that there can be 'demonstrations' of the existence of God and a variety of problems concerning the meaning of religious language. The main authors read will be Hume, Aristotle and Aquinas.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 260. American Philosophy
(Perspectives II course)
This class is meant to serve as an introduction to classical American philosophy, a term which refers to those thinkers who, between (approximately) 1870 and 1940, developed a philosophy that is unique to the United States. The defining movement in classical American philosophy is called pragmatism. This course will evaluate the pragmatic conception of truth and how it relates to the notion of pure experience, the individual and the community, science, morality, loyalty, the transcendental, and education. Readings from Emerson, Peirce, James, Royce, and Dewey.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 272. The Philosophy of Science
(Perspectives II course)
An examination of the foundations and workings of scientific theory and practice. Topics may include the internal and external virtues of scientific theories, explanation, the role of observation in science, replication in experiments, scientific discovery, theory change and the social construction of science.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 280. Feminist Philosophy
(Perspectives II course)
Explores the views and theories of selected feminists of both the past and the present. Topics of discussion may include theories of knowledge, critiques of science, of history and of philosophy.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 285. 20th Century Women Philosophers
(Perspectives II course: fulfills Women's Study Elective)
An introduction to the important and noteworthy contributions of three twentieth century women philosophers, Simone Weil, Edith Stein, and Hannah Arendt, all of Jewish descent, who tried to come to terms with issues of modern oppression, faith, knowledge, the concept of person, liberty, totalitarian tactics of dehumanization, the human condition itself.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 290. Existentialism
(Perspectives II course)
Often conceived less as a philosophy and more as a revolt against traditional philosophy, existentialism, while all but the impossible to define, is pre-occupied with such themes as the relation between the individual and society, the significance of human choice, the significance of suffering in human life, the reality of death and the relation between existence and absurdity. Readings from such authors as Kierkegaard, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre and Tillich.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 303. Western Political Philosophy
(Perspectives II: cross-listed as PSC 303)
The theme of this course is the nature of citizenship and, thus, whether or not individuals have a responsibility to their community. In addressing this theme, the course will also introduce students to the major problems and questions which belong to the history of political philosophy. As such, it will provide political science students with an important historical and philosophical background for contemporary political discourse. Topics include the structure of political communities and civil societies, the state of nature, social contract theory, law, and leadership, among others. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 320. Ancient Philosophy
(Perspectives II)
There were two famous inscriptions at the Oracle of Delphi: 'know yourself' and 'nothing in excess'. In this course, we investigate the significance of these sayings by exploring connections between them and other Greek ideas: e.g., the idea of hubris (or excessive pride), catharsis (purification or purgation), and sophrosune (one translation: moderation). Readings from Hesiod, Aeschylus, Hippocrates, Sophocles, Philolaus, Plato, Aristotle, and others.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 325. Philosophy and History of Ancient Sicily

(Perspectives II)

An interdisciplinary course which focuses on the history, political thought and philosophy behind the Athenian invasion of Siracusa in 415 B.C.E. and its aftermath, including Plato's attempt to influence the politics of Siracusa from 388 to 360 B.C.E.  An additional 1-credit study abroad course (PHL 325L) will be taught in Siracusa, Sicily immediately following the course.

Phl 330. Medieval Philosophy
Major figures such as Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas and Ockham on such problems as free will, human knowledge, the existence of God, virtue and vice.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 340. Modern Philosophy
Major figures in modern philosophy addressing such issues as the nature and limits of human knowledge, the nature of truth and the reality of God. Readings from Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume and Kant.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 350 Contemporary Philosophy
(Perspectives II course)
The themes of this course are self, world, and language. It will investigate the nature of self-identity, the structure of the life-world, and the function of language as the relation between self and world. In addressing these themes, the course will also introduce students to the basic problems of contemporary philosophy. Issues in phenomenology, existentialism, fundamental ontology, epistemology, philosophy of language, and hermeneutics will be addressed. Readings from Kant, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, and Gadamer.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 360. Metaphysics
Investigations in "the science of being as being," including fundamental questions about the nature of reality and the existence of God. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Leibniz, Heidegger and others.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 370. The Philosophy of Mind
Philosophical explorations of the psychological issues ranging from behaviorism to artificial intelligence to the nature or reality of the human soul.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 380. Philosophy Through Literature
(Perspectives II course: cross-listed as ENGL 380)
An investigation of literary treatments of philosophical themes with special attention to the relation between 'form' and 'content' in various approaches to philosophical problems. Readings from poets, philosophers, novelists, and essayists.
3 credits, 3 hours

Phl 401, 402, 403, 404. Honors Seminar
Different topics in philosophy treated in different semesters. Prerequisites: two previous Phl courses.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

Phl 433, 434. Selected Topics in Philosophy
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

Phl 435, 436. Selected Areas in the History of Philosophy
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

Phl 485, 486. Independent Study
For students who have completed at least nine credit hours in philosophy. Concentrated study of areas agreed upon between student and instructor; readings, tutorials.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours