PHL 110 Introduction to Ethics. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Explores canonical moral theories and contemporary moral problems. Students are invited to examine a variety of moral viewpoints, including the strengths and weaknesses of each, and to critically examine their own moral commitments. Coursework explores controversial issues such as abortion, animal rights, sexism, poverty, euthanasia, environment, and capital punishment.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 111 Philosophies of Life. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Explores how philosophy shapes our lives. This course serves as an introduction to core philosophical themes and thinkers from a variety of perspectives. Things to be pondered might include the meaning of life, justice, skepticism, and our place in the world.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 234 Intro to Logic: Applied Logic. 3 Credits

Distinguishes between different forms of arguments and exposes a variety of common fallacies. Students will learn to analyze the components of arguments, distinguish different forms of argumentation, assess claims, and think critically about such common cultural expressions as advertisements, political rhetoric, and news reports.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 254 People and Politics. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall

Examines a number of the main figures, texts, and ideas in the history of western political thought, with an emphasis on the development of democracy. Analyzes the significance of issues like rights, freedoms, equality, justice, the legitimacy of the state, and the sovereign.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 265 Stdies in Hstry of Philosophy. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): one course in philosophy.

(every second Sp) Explores the philosophical developments during several of the following eras (to be announced each time the course is offered): Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance, Modern, 19th Century, and 20th Century. Course is an introduction and survey of the major philosophical figures and movements that mark each time period.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 271 Indian Philsphies & Religions. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall

3cr. Explores, through a comparative lens, the philosophies and religions of India, including such topics as Hinduism, Buddhism, mythology, art, ethics, and religious exemplars, as well as contemporary issues such as gender relations, attitudes toward nature, and the place of nonhuman animals. Interactive and rooted in critical thinking, this course invites students to compare their own worldview with philosophical and spiritual worldviews of India.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 272 Chinese Philsphies & Religions. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Spring

3cr. Explores the philosophies and religions of China, including such topics as Daoism, Confucianism, mythology, art, ethics, and religious exemplars, as well as contemporary issues such as gender relations, attitudes toward nature, and the place of nonhuman animals. Interactive and rooted in critical thinking, this course invites students to compare their own worldview with philosophical and spiritual worldviews of China.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 294 Seminar/Workshop. 1-3 Credits

Provides an opportunity to intensively investigate specific topics pertinent to fields of Philosophy and/or Religious Studies, such as Islam, Philosophy of Science, Sacred Texts and the Natural World, Buddhism, Philosophies of Love, Feminist Philosophy, Existentialism, Phenomenology, and Ideas that Rocked the 20th Century.

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 320 Philosophy & Business Ethics. 3 Credits

(every second F) Explores complex moral dilemmas facing individuals in business and the ethical problems of business in society. Explores theories and case studies to analyze the way that justice, human rights, and the social good are critical to business.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 324 Nature, Culture, Ethics. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Spring

Examines how humans understand and relate to the natural world. Critical and comparative in nature, students explore such topics as contemporary environmental issues, important movements and organizations, tactics, theories, and the contributions of key individuals, with an eye to examining the environmental impact of our lifestyles.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 326 Death, Dying & Medical Ethics. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor.

(every second Sp) Explores issues involving medicine, technology, and the law, and the host of ethical concerns that accompany them, such as justice, personhood, death, experimentation, medical practice, and the value of life. These will be examined from as many sides as possible, weighing the reasons people have for believing them.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 364 Great Figures and Ideas. 3 Credits

(alternating F) Examines the lives and works of foundational thinkers and what they have contributed to the philosophical tradition. Possibilities include Gandhi, Kant, The Enlightenment, Pre-Socratics, and Sartre.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 375 Women, Philosophy and Religion. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): A course in religious studies or consent of instructor.

(alternating F) Explores topics such as violence, gender constructs, the media, sexism, power structures, ecofeminism, and controversial contemporary issues in philosophy and religion. Rooted in critical analysis and class discussion, coursework encourages students to examine sexism and equality in our culture and in their own lives.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 492 Independent Study. 1-5 Credits

Provides students an opportunity to research subjects in Philosophy and Religious Studies which are not explored in regular courses.

Department: English & Philosophy

PHL 494 Seminar/Workshop. 1-3 Credits

Provides an opportunity to intensively investigate specific topics pertinent to fields of Philosophy and/or Religious Studies, such as Islam, Philosophy of Science, Sacred Texts and the Natural World, Buddhism, Philosophies of Love, Feminist Philosophy, Existentialism, Phenomenology, and Ideas that Rocked the 20th Century.

Department: English & Philosophy