Independent reading and/or research under the guidance of a philosophy faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. Independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.

Courses on topics of interest to philosophy students offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Prerequisites as determined by the instructor. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet.

Capstone research and writing in a collective humanities setting. Students will enroll for one credit in the first semester and two credits in the second semester.

This course explores the relationship between philosophy and film by examining the ways that philosophy helps us understand film as a unique artistic medium, as well as how film helps us grasp complicated philosophical problems with newfound clarity. The first few weeks of the course use philosophy to analyze the deeper aesthetic foundations and socio-political implications of film as an artistic medium that represents reality.

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the field of aesthetics, which is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions concerning the nature of art. We will explore such questions as: What is beauty and why are human beings interested in it What is the nature/purpose of art Is there an exemplary type of aesthetic experience What distinguishes a work of art from other cultural products, such as furniture or velvet Elvis paintings Can a works aesthetic value remain independent of its moral and political message.

The purpose of the course "Philosophy in Latin America" is to introduce students to the depth and diversity of philosophy in Latin America. The course examines how philosophy in Latin America develops in response to the larger socio-political context, re-thinking European ideas to make sense of the unique realities of Latin America.

A critical historical exploration of timeless political questions through the classical works of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Machiavelli, Marx, and others. Central themes may include the moral/personal vs. economic/social dimensions of justice, the dangers and advantages of various forms of government, the nature of human rights, the dangers and advantages of private property, the role of the family, religion, and money in society, the basis and limitations of governmental power, and the relationship of politics and ethics.

What is the relationship between the good life and good food Between a society and a just food system Moving between the local and the global, the personal and the political, this course takes up the many and diverse ethical questions that attend to one of our most basic human activities: eating. PMI

This course examines the major ethical and social responsibilities managers and business organizations face regarding owners, managers, non-management employees, local communities, the natural environment, and other important stakeholders. A clear understanding of what constitutes proper and ethical business practices will be employed to case studies and contemporary business operations. Areas of study will include but not be limited to: sexual harassment, affirmative action, outsourcing, employee privacy, and employer obligation to workers and local communities. PMI

The ethical issues of health care are some of the most controversial and interesting of our day. In this course, ethical theory is critically examined and applied to moral problems in health care, sometimes using the medium of films and case studies. Moral problems in contemporary medical practice and public policy such as informed consent, euthanasia, confidentiality, termination of treatment, HIV/AIDS, genetics, the allocation of scarce resources, surrogate decision making, advance directives, paternalism, and research involving human and animal subjects are analyzed and discussed.