Philosophy
- KEVIN DeLAPP, philosophy program coordinator
The study of philosophy involves conceptual analysis of the fundamental nature of reality, values, and knowledge. Students are challenged to reflect upon broad questions of human identity, meaning, and moral responsibility. Intercultural and historical perspectives are given particular attention, and student research is emphasized.
The program features courses in logic and critical thinking, ethics and other value-based inquiries as well as the exploration of different worldviews that have shaped societies throughout history and across the globe. Thus, studying philosophy is by nature interdisciplinary and complements the study of other areas in the humanities, arts, and sciences. For this reason, the program features many different courses that explore the theoretical underpinnings of other disciplines, such as the philosophy of art, the philosophy of math, the philosophy of education, and the philosophy of religion.
The General Education Program listed below is a requirement for all degrees.
ENG 101 | 3 hours |
Language and Culture | 9 hours |
MTH 108 or higher | 3 hours |
One course designated as Quantitative reasoning | 3–4 hours |
Health and Well-being Wellness | 2 hours |
Activity course | 1–2 hours |
Humanities | 6 hours |
Literature | 3 hours |
Fine Arts | 6 hours |
Natural Science | 7–8 hours |
Social Science | 6 hours |
Total | 49–52 hours |
Graduation requirements but not a separate course:
- First Year Seminar
- Writing Intensive course
- Non-European/non-Anglophone course Capstone experience.
- For more information see the GEP requirements in this catalog.
Degrees and Certificates
Classes
PHI 125 : FIRST YEAR SEMINAR
Credits
3PHI 150T : PHILOSOPHY STUDY TRAVEL
A study of selected topics in philosophy utilizing the unique opportunities of a study-travel experience. Past destinations have included Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic. May satisfy one of the history of philosophy requirements for the major depending on topic.
Credits
3 - 4PHI 180 : PROBLEMS OF PHILOSOPHY
Credits
3PHI 199H : FRESHMAN HONORS SEMINAR
A study of a selected subject within the discipline which will vary from term to term. Recent course offerings have included philosophy as a way of life and the philosophy of truth and lying. The course is designed to encourage student participation in the intellectual processes through class discussion, research, writing, special projects, problem solving, and evaluation and defense of positions. When the subject matter duplicates that of another course, credit toward graduation will be granted for only one of the courses. Offered periodically in rotation with seminars in other disciplines.
Credits
3PHI 200 : ETHICAL THEORY
This course involves the careful study of the major philosophical texts of various historical and contemporary normative frameworks, including virtue traditions, role-based ethics, utilitarian models, the ethics of duty, the nature of justice, the social contract, and the ethics of care.
Credits
3PHI 201 : CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES
This course explores the ethical dimensions of some of the more vital and vexing problems and issues encountered in modern society. These problems—faced by nearly everyone at one time or another (and in one form or another) in their lives—will be examined through the lens of philosophical reasoning and analysis.
Credits
3PHI 205 : BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
In this course the student will become familiar with the ethical theories that philosophers, physicians, biomedical researchers, and other thinking people have used in coming to understand themselves and their world. Students will have the opportunity to apply these theories to some of the most important moral problems in medicine and the biomedical sciences. Emphasis on critical reasoning and analysis, with the goal of developing the ability to distinguish well-supported from poorly-supported positions. With exploration of the life and death issues of biomedicine, the student should begin to understand the complexity of our moral problems and the need for a careful, rigorous, and sensitive approach to these problems. Interfaith Studies.
Credits
3PHI 210 : BUSINESS ETHICS
Credits
3PHI 212 : ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
Credits
3PHI 215 : ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY
A study of the very beginnings of Western philosophical thought. Emphasis on the relationship between philosophy and mythology, the birth of science, and the influence of classical systems of thought on later philosophical traditions. Readings will focus on Plato and Aristotle, but may also include Pre-Socratic and Hellenistic texts.
Credits
3PHI 220 : EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY
Credits
3PHI 230 : GERMAN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY
This interdisciplinary seminar (taught in English) investigates some of the key intellectual discussions surrounding critique, praxis and emancipation in the German-speaking world since the Enlightenment. Focusing on short theoretical texts from Kant to Habermas, the course explores prominent issues in aesthetics, philosophy, and politics as well as the narrative and rhetorical strategies of knowledge production. This course also provides a general outline of the major developments in German cultural history during this period as well as the continued relevance of these texts in the new millennium.
Credits
3PHI 250 : EXISTENTIALISM AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
Using essays, short stories, novels, and plays from the existentialist tradition, this course explores the nature of freedom, the contours of the given, the creation and limitations of the self and individuality, the anxiety and absurdity of modern life, and the possibilities of authentic existence.
Credits
3PHI 265 : CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
This course (taught in English) explores the intellectual texts and traditions of China in the classical period, with an emphasis on Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, and Legalism. Special attention may be devoted to comparing these Chinese traditions with dominant Western interpretations and alternative philosophies and religions. Supplemental material may explore artistic representations of classical Chinese thought as well as the continuing relevance of such traditions in contemporary Chinese society. Non-European/non-Anglophone GEP credit. Cross-listed with REL 265. Interfaith Studies.
Credits
3PHI 299H : INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS COURSE
This course is team taught by members in two departments and is open to Nisbet Honors Program participants and to others who meet Honors Program guidelines. Recent interdisciplinary offerings have included team-ups with the Religion program to examine issues related to spirituality and the meaning of life, and with the Mathematics program to explore the nature of numbers, infinity, and reality. All students registering for these courses must register not only through the Honors Program but also with their adviser and the Registrar’s Office.
Credits
3PHI 300 : METAPHYSICS
Credits
3PHI 305 : GENDER AND SEXUALITY
A study of philosophical views of gender and sexuality. Specific authors, texts, and topics will vary and may include historical as well as contemporary perspectives. Typical issues covered include the following: whether gender and sexual identities are naturally given versus socially constructed; the nature and causes of gender expectations; sexism and sexual inequalities; the ways in which gender and sexuality intersect with other aspects of identity such as race, class, and culture; theories of love and sexual relationship; feminist analyses of traditional philosophical issues in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. GEP Writing Intensive. Counts toward Women’s Studies credit.
Credits
3PHI 311 : METAETHICS
"Metaethics" refers to the philosophical investigation of the fundamental nature of morality. This course will explore questions concerning the the objectivity or subjectivity of values, the variation of moral codes across different societies, the dynamics of moral motivation and reasons to act morally, and the relationships between morality and science, religion, art, and culture.
Credits
3PHI 315 : AESTHETICS
Credits
3PHI 320 : PHILOSOPHY AND LAW
This course will explore the philosophical underpinnings of law and cultivate an informed and critical attitude toward the theories and expressions of law. Readings from a variety of historical, philosophical, legal and literary sources will look at the nature of law, liberty, liability and responsibility, crime and punishment, insanity and excuse in the law, as well as attempts to use law to limit liberty and enforce morality.
Credits
3PHI 333 : POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
This course will explore the philosophical underpinnings of political structures, identities, and actions. Readings from a variety of historical, philosophical, political, and economic sources will look at topics such as the nature of the liberal state, the public sphere, democracy, justice, multiculturalism, rights, liberty, and equality. The course may be retaken for credit if the content is substantially distinct, as determined by the philosophy program coordinator.
Credits
3PHI 340 : SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY
An exploration of a particular, varying topic of philosophical interest. Recent topics offered have included: the philosophy of children; the philosophy of color; technologies of the self; mind, machines, and meaning; and crime and punishment. May be repeated for credit if the topic differs.
Credits
3PHI 341 : ADVANCED ETHICS
Credits
3Prerequisites
PHI 200 or permission of instructor.
PHI 342 : PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
Credits
3PHI 345 : PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE
This course examines some of the major philosophical debates and issues pertaining to language, including: questions about the definition, purpose, and origins of language; how language relates to thoughts, truth, and meaning; the performative, ritual, normative, or metaphorical uses of language; and the possibility of translation.
Credits
3PHI 350 : PHILOSOPHY AND FILM
This course uses the medium of film to raise, explore, and challenge philosophical questions, positions, and assumptions. Particular philosophical topics and films may vary. The course may also include philosophical analysis of the nature and aesthetics of film as a genre.
Credits
3 - 4PHI 360 : PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
This course surveys a range of classical and contemporary philosophers who have developed philosophical concepts for educational programs and practices. Particular topics may include the place of morality and values within education, differing theories of learning and development, the purpose of education, and cross-cultural conceptions of education.
Credits
3PHI 390 : RECENT AND CONTEMPORARY CONTINENTAL PHILOSOPHY
This course explores the major philosophical traditions that emerged from the European Continent during the twentieth century and which continue to exert broad influence in a number of disciples today, including: existentialism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical theory, structuralism, poststructuralism, postmodernism, deconstructionism, and transhumanism.
Credits
3PHI 400 : SENIOR CAPSTONE
Credits
3PHI 491 : DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SPECIAL TOPICS
Credits
3PHI 495 : INTERNSHIP IN PHILOSOPHY
To consist of either (1) exposure to duties and responsibilities of academic philosophers, or (2) work with an approved external organization (e.g. hospital, hospice, art gallery, religious institution, non-profit, etc.) for which a project of philosophical aspect is undertaken. Pass/fail grading.
Credits
3 - 4Prerequisites
permission of department.
PHI 497 : HONORS IN PHILOSOPHY
Credits
3Prerequisites
at least 15 hours of major coursework, senior class standing, and approval by the Philosophy program coordinator and instructor.