Courses may be classified as follows:

I. Core curriculum: PHL 110 and 210

II. History of Philosophy: PHL 307, 308, 309, 312, 314

III. Thematic Studies: PHL 319, 320, 321, 332, 335, 337, 346, 353, 365, 375, 420

IV. Value Studies: PHL 305, 327, 356, 360, 361, 366, 375, 381

V. Independent research: PHL 400, 401-410

COURSE DESCRIPTION

PHL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy
PHL 210 - Moral Philosophy
PHL 305 - Philosophy of Sport
PHL 307 - Major Representatives of Ancient Philosophy
PHL 308 - Major Representatives of Medieval Philosophy
PHL 309 - Major Representatives of Modern Philosophy
PHL 312 - Major Representatives of Contemporary Philosophy
PHL 314 - Major Representatives of American Philosophy
PHL 319 - Philosophy of Reality
PHL 320 - Philosophy of Knowledge
PHL 321 - Philosophy of Mind
PHL 327 - Moral Problems
PHL 332 - Logic: Basis of Correct Reasoning
PHL 335 - Buddhism and Philosophy
PHL 337 - Philosophy and Culture
PHL 346 - Philosophy of Religion
PHL 353 - Philosophy and Women
PHL 356 - Social and Political Philosophy
PHL 360 - Ethics and Business
PHL 361 - Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
PHL 365 - Philosophy of Science
PHL 366 - Problems in Medical Ethics
PHL 375 - Aesthetics
PHL 381 - Philosophy of Law
PHL 400 - Independent Study
PHL 420 - Capstone Seminar

PHL 110. Introduction to Philosophy

An introduction to the experience of critical thinking from its inception in Greek culture to its scientific and technological expression in modern philosophy. Key philosophical texts (Western or non-Western) will be examined in order to articulate theories of reality, mind and God. 3 credits. FS

PHL 210. Moral Philosophy

An exploration into the nature of moral reasoning as it has been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition. The question, "How to live?" will be addressed in terms of moral perspectives drawn from Eastern or Western sources. Selected moral problems will be examined. 3 credits. FS

PHL 305. Philosophy of Sport

This course addresses questions and issues that comprise the field known as the philosophy of sport, including the areas of ethics and social philosophy. What is sportsmanship and what is fair competition? Is it ever ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs? Should there be gender equity in sports participation? Does winning justify any means necessary to achieve it? These are but a few of the questions that will be addressed. 3 credits. AY

PHL 307. Major Representatives of Ancient Philosophy

An historical study of philosophy in the ancient world. Examination of the principal philosophical texts and doctrines of one or more of the following: ancient Eastern thought; pre-Socratic Greek philosophy; the Sophists and Socrates; Plato; Aristotle; post-Aristotelian Greek and Roman philosophy; Neoplatonism. 3 credits. N

PHL 308. Major Representatives of Medieval Philosophy

A study in depth of one of the following: Augustine, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Duns Scotus, medieval Islamic philosophy or medieval Jewish philosophy. 3 credits. N

PHL 309. Major Representatives of Modern Philosophy

The origins of modern philosophy in terms of the most important ideas of the rationalist and empiricist traditions and the major movements of modernity will be examined. 3 credits. N

PHL 312. Major Representatives of Contemporary Philosophy

An examination of the new foundations of philosophical thought claimed by phenomenology, existentialism, and analytic philosophy will be undertaken. 3 credits. N

PHL 314. Major Representatives of American Philosophy

The development of the central themes of American Philosophy as found in one or more of the following: Peirce, Royce, James, Dewey, Whitehead, Quine, Rorty. 3 credits. N

PHL 319. Philosophy of Reality

An analysis of central metaphysical terms and concepts: "being," "reality," "existence." A detailed study of significant metaphysical problems: universals and essence, process and substance-attribute, relations, necessity and contingency, God. 3 credits. N

PHL 320. Philosophy of Knowledge

This course examines the nature, origins and limits of human knowledge. Dominant themes in epistemology, such as the claims of perceptual and a priori knowledge, the question of truth and justification, and the issue of skepticism, will be explored through a careful reading of classical and contemporary texts. 3 credits. AY

PHL 321. Philosophy of Mind

A review of recent criticisms and developments of the Cartesian Theory of mind and self-consciousness in the light of contemporary theories of language and behavior. Topics include minds and machines, intentions and mental states, materialism and the mind-body problem. 3 credits. AY

PHL 327. Moral Problems

A study of individual and social moral questions. Religion; the nature of the right to life in relation to self-defense, euthanasia, abortion and medical ethics; sexual morality in relation to spousal and parental relationships; property rights in relation to theories of collectivism and private ownership (wage contract and the morality of strikes); Political rights (ground and limits of political authority) the doctrine of the just war and its applicability to nuclear armaments; international moral law. 3 credits. N

PHL 332. Logic: Basis of Correct Reasoning

A study of the logical principles of argument and a consideration of numerous common fallacies; an examination of the basic principles of deductive symbolic logic and of the inductive logic and design of research. Not open to students who have taken PHL 3102. 3 credits. N

PHL 335. Buddhism and Philosophy

Buddhism is commonly understood to be a way of life in which philosophy plays a central role. It is, therefore, the aim of this course to explore this way of life and the fundamental significance of its philosophical tenets and commitments. Special emphasis will be placed on appreciating Nargarjuna's Middle Way Doctrine. 3 credits. N

PHL 337. Philosophy and Culture

This course seeks to explore philosophical conceptions of the unity and development of reason as it is reflected in man's most distinctive cultural activities: art, religion, science and morality. The emphasis will center on how certain modern and contemporary philosophers have sought to relate forms of knowledge to various forms of man's cultural and social activity. 3 credits. N

PHL 346. Philosophy of Religion

This course will locate the philosophical issues raised by religious belief in a personal, historical and cultural context. Present day possibilities for belief and unbelief will be analyzed and evaluated as an experiential option and not as an abstract subject. Authors who share this approach, such as Sigmund Freud and William James, will figure prominently in readings and discussions. 3 credits. N

PHL 353. Philosophy and Women

This course includes examination of classic writings on women from Plato to de Beauvior, the study of recent feminist and anti-feminist writings, and a critical exploration of women's life in contemporary society. Same course as WST 353. 3 credits. N

PHL 356. Social and Political Philosophy

This course will seek to explore the philosophical foundations of ideas like rights, justice, freedom and obligation in political and social contexts. The emphasis will be on the conceptual problems associated with attempts to formulate arguments and theories about these topics. 3 credits. AY

PHL 360. Ethics and Business

This course seeks to develop a moral perspective that is applicable to the structure and practices of business. Themes to be discussed are: a normative theory of ethics; economic justice; corporate-labor responsibility with respect to wage and price, investment, advertising, preferential hiring, ecology, and consumer protection; and the new functions and responsibilities of multinational corporations. Not open to students who have taken PHL 3600. 3 credits. N

PHL 361. Ethical Issues in Science and Technology

This course seeks to develop a moral perspective through philosophy as it applies to the practical and ethical problems that emerge from contemporary technologies. Emphasis will be placed on ethical problems that professionals face in the field, such as privacy in data technologies, intellectual property rights, environmental ethics, ethical issues in engineering and the physical sciences. The goal of the course will be to clarify the issues involved and to help students develop tools of ethical analysis and evaluation to confront such issues. 3 credits. F

PHL 365. Philosophy of Science

A survey of the development of the relations between the philosophical tradition and modern science. Special attention will be given to scientific revolutions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the philosophical schools of thought during this same period. 3 credits. N

PHL 366. Problems in Medical Ethics

This course will focus on the nature of medical ethics and on the ethical implications of current problems in medical practice and research. Not open to students who have taken PHL 3660. 3 credits. N

PHL 375. Aesthetics

A study of major theories of art and their relation to individual art forms, especially literature and music. Includes an examination of some central critical concepts, such as value, intention, expression, and insight, as well as the philosophical problems surrounding modern art. 3 credits. N

PHL 381. Philosophy of Law

An examination of some classical and contemporary attempts to define and/or explicate the concept of law, the nature of legal reasoning, and the relationships among legal systems and customs, traditions, and moral ideas. Attention directed to theories of natural law, legal positivism, legal realism, sociological jurisprudence. Consideration of problems involved in notions of international law, legal obligation, due process and the morality of the criminal law. 3 credits. AY

PHL 400. Independent Study

A program of readings in an area of philosophical interest or a program of research leading to the writing of a major philosophical paper with the advisor's approval, under the supervision of a member of the department. Prerequisite: Approval of department advisor. 3 credits. N

PHL 420. Capstone Seminar

The seminar will focus on major philosophical works. Study of these works will enable students to perform two crucial integrative tasks - bringing together what was learned in the courses taken as a philosophy major and linking that with what was learned from the courses which constitute the liberal arts core curriculum. Prerequisite: Senior standing. 3 credits. N

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