Courses
Offered by the Philosophy Program
PHL 100 -
Introduction to Philosophy 3(3-0)
Study of the basic issues and methods of philosophy. Depending on
instructor, it may have either a problem or a historical orientation.
(University Program Group I-A)
PHL 140 - Introduction to
Logic 3(3-0)
A study of modern formal logic, with the emphasis of the development of
general procedures for deciding whether any argument is correct. Group
II-B)
PHL 200 - History of
Philosophy: Classical Period 3(3-0)
Survey of ancient Greek philosophy, with emphasis on Plato and
Aristotle.
PHL 218 - Ethical Theory
3(3-0)
The following problems will be discussed: What is the good life? Is
there any such thing as right and wrong? Can we justify our moral
beliefs? (University Program Group I-A)
PHL 225/PSY 225 - Foundations of Cognitive Science 3(3-0)
Introduction
to cognitive science, the problems it addresses, its evolving models of
the mind, its interdisciplinary nature, and its broader ramifications.
Identical to PSY 225. Credit may not be earned in more than one of
these courses. Group IV-A)
PHL 302 - History of
Philosophy: Modern Period 3(3-0)
Rationalism: Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz. Empiricism: Locke,
Berkeley, and Hume. The Kantian Synthesis.
PHL 320 - Theory of
Knowledge 3(3-0)
Study of skepticism, the justification of beliefs, and theories of
truth. Prerequisites: PHL 100 or PHL 140.
PHL 325 - Philosophy of
Mind 3(3-0)
An attempt to explain
the nature of the mind, by examining philosophical works on the
mind-body problem and by surveying empirical results. Prerequisite: one
course in University Program Group III-A. (University Program Group
IV-A)
PHL 340 - Intermediate
Logic 3(3-0)
First
order quantificational theory is presented as a paradigm of formal
theories. In terms of this, some metatheoretic notions are introduced.
Prerequisite: PHL 140.
PHL 390 - Philosophy of
Science 3(3-0)
Study
of problems that arise in a critical examination of science:
explanation, theory, confirmation, law, measurement, scientific change.
Prerequisites: PHL 140; one other course in Group II of the University
Program; or permission of instructor.
PHL 405 - Major
Philosophers 3(3-0)
An
in-depth study of a major philosopher. Prerequisite: At least one of
the following: PHL 200, 300, 302, 403, 404; or permission of instructor.
PHL 410 - Philosophy of
Law 3(3-0)
Consideration
of such questions as: What is a legal system, a law, a legal right?
What is the relation among law, morality, and custom?
PHL 418 - Advanced Moral
Philosophy 3(3-0)
An
advanced study of contemporary moral theory, meta-ethics, and the
methodology of constructing and evaluating ethical theories.
Prerequisite: PHL 218, or permission of instructor.
PHL 422 - Political and
Social Philosophy 3(3-0)
Study of the ethical and political problems confronting the individual
and society.
PHL 426/PSC 426/WST 426 -
Feminist Theory 3(3-0)
Examines
the way women have been described by the Western philosophical
tradition from its beginnings to the present and offers alternative
analyses to this tradition. Identical to WST 426 and PSC 426. Credit
may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites:
permission of instructor, or at least junior standing and either one
course in philosophy or one of the following courses: PSC 275, PSC 326,
PSC 371, PSC 373, or PSC 378.
PHL 480 - Philosophy of
the Arts 3(3-0)
Studies in the experience of arts and discussion of traditional and
contemporary esthetics.
PHL 490 - Senior Seminar
3(3-0)
A senior seminar for philosophy majors. Prerequisites: senior status;
or junior status with permission of instructor; at least 21 hours in
philosophy.
