Philosophy

An introduction to the nature of philosophic inquiry through the study of several outstanding figures in the history of philosophy. We will examine and evaluate the responses of such philosophers as Socrates, Plato, Descartes, and Hume to problems of reality, mind, knowledge, and value.

A survey of beliefs in the major world religions, both past and present.

An introduction to ways of reasoning concerning our value system and moral views. Students will be encouraged to think rationally about concepts and problems in ethics and to understand what is involved in taking a moral stand on an issue. Contemporary problems as well as classical ethical theories will be studied and discussed.

This course is designed to enable the student to think critically in order to avoid fallacies in reasoning and to arrive at logically sound conclusions in argumentation. The emphasis will be on detecting informal fallacies in logic, and semantics as they appear in advertising, political propaganda, and debate, as well as learning to construct rational arguments. The course is also concerned with how creative thinking occurs and the ways in which it can be fostered.

An exploration of three distinct and perhaps unique ways in which human beings respond to the world. Students will study myths, religion, and art as symbolic forms which express feelings and aspirations, offer psychological insights, and expand our perceptions, interpretations, and understanding of the world.

This thematic course examines the concept of nature and our self-understanding, as human beings, in relation to nature. To what extent are humans a part of nature? To what extent are humans separate from nature? Multiple ways to understand nature are considered, both in historical and cultural contexts. Attention will also be given to some contemporary environmental ethical issues that arise from these differing perspectives on nature.

There are multiple ways of viewing, interpreting, and participating in the world. This course explores some of these alternative modes or ways of being in the world. Attention will be given to mythological-religious, ethical, aesthetic, and scientific consciousness as different approaches to understanding the world. Characteristics unique to each mode of thought, as well as qualities which connect these modes of thought, will be examined. Both the strengths and limitations of each perspective will be considered.

Under this heading the Philosophy Program will occasionally offer special courses in philosophy and religious studies not otherwise covered in the curriculum. The course may focus on a particular philosopher or theologian, on a selection of thinkers, on a theme, or on a topic of philosophical or religious studies interest. A description of the course being offered will be provided to students in advance. The course may be taken for credit more than once provided the topic varies.

An introduction to ethical reasoning via contemporary moral problems in medicine and health care such as the following: death and dying; birth and reproduction; research on human subjects, embryos, and animals; and health care inequality. This course covers the dominant theoretical approaches in medical ethics as well as influential critiques of these approaches. Students will be encouraged to analyze philosophical arguments and to articulate and defend their own positions on the issues studied.

This interdisciplinary course brings together literary, cultural, and critical texts from a range of disciplinary perspectives to examine a current issue in contemporary culture. Students work at the intersections of literary study, philosophy, history, geography, sociology, and various other fields relevant to one critical issue that provides the topical focus for the semester. Possible topics include but are not limited to: Environment and Ecology; Gender and Sexuality; Displacement and Mobility; and Critical Race Studies.

What is art? What is beauty? This course examines theories of art and beauty in order to understand the importance of these dimensions of human life. Attention will be given to classical and contemporary writings on art and to art forms such as painting, sculpture, architecture, dance, music and film. The influence of art on culture will be considered.

To live is to care. This course applies ethical reasoning to examine the values present within the contexts of life and work. The relationship between the individual and collective values will be considered. Emphasis will be given to the role of values in selected social controversies and in several career settings. Examples of social issues are: environmental policy, treatment of animals, privacy and security, abortion, discrimination, crime and punishment, sexual behavior, war and peace, and wealth distribution. Examples of career settings are: health care, business, education, law, and public service.