This course introduces students to some of the questions and themes that marked the time period of Modern Philosophy, but which are still very much of interest today. Questions regarding the basis of ethics, the appropriate sources and limitations of knowledge, the nature of the interaction between mind and body, whether human beings have free will or are determined, as well as the relationship between faith, skepticism, and reason will be explored in this course. Modern philosophy is characterized as the time period from the 16th through the early 19th Century.
This course examines the major themes and divisions in the development of philosophy from the late 19th century to the present. In exploring different positions on problems like the nature of language, the mind, and concerns over technology, the class shows students how many of the defining philosophical issues of the 20th century continue to influence, both directly and indirectly, how we understand and shape the world. PMI
This course will examine the concept of law as a directive human enterprise from a historical and philosophical perspective, focusing on the American legal tradition. Natural Law and Legal Positivistic approaches to law will be discussed. Philosophical questions to be addressed may include views on the propriety and impropriety of judges interpreting laws in terms of social values, the intent of legislators, particular moral codes, and/or the intentions of Constitutional authors.
The goal of the course Philosophy of Science is to introduce students to many of the underlying assumptions, conceptual foundations, and implications of science as a distinctive approach to understanding the world. There is much contemporary debate on the different methodologies and types of reasoning used in science, and the extent to which science provides objective knowledge of the real world.
Introduction of the basic concepts and techniques of both Aristotelian syllogism and Modern symbolic logic, designed to equip students to analyze and evaluate arguments employed in scientific and non-scientific discourse. 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.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the practice of responsible ethical reflection and judgment. Students will learn about the practice of moral analysis, examine many influential moral theories, such as, Virtue ethics, Deontological ethics, and Utilitarianism, and look at many contemporary moral debates in applied ethics, such as the issue of capital punishment, euthanasia, animal rights, and abortion. Restricted to students with freshman and sophomore standing. PMI Offered every semester.
This course considers the origin, nature and value of philosophy as a discipline unique in its method of exposing the underlying values in the human experience. With specific regard to the history of the Western philosophical tradition, this course aims at the development of a broad and coherent world-view. Restricted to students with freshman and sophomore standing. PMI Offered spring even years.
This course will explore the philosophical assumptions behind different theories and methods of education, paying close attention to how views of education have developed and changed over the last few centuries. In addition to exploring fundamental questions surrounding the nature and purpose of education, the course will also examine the potential value of philosophy for K-12 education.
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 freshman or sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet.