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Philosophy courses

PHI200 Introduction to Ethics
PHI202 Logic
PHI204 Mind, Knowledge and Morality
PHI208 Philosophy of Religion
PHI210 Introduction to Political Philosophy
PHI214 Contemporary Moral Issues
PHI216 Philosophy Through Film and Fiction
PHI219 Philosophy and Science Fiction
PHI221 Philosophy of Law
PHI225 Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHI226 Medieval Philosophy
PHI227 Modern Philosophy
PHI229 Twentieth-Century Philosophy
PHI238 Philosophy of the Arts
PHI240 Minds and Machines
PHI244 C.S. Lewis and the Inklings
PHI250 Special Topics
PHI310 Themes in Political Theory
PHI333 Philosophy and Christianity
PHI341 Philosophy of Social Science
PHI342 Philosophy of Natural Science
PHI350 Special Topics
PHI355 Topics in Ethics
PHI398 Directed Study
PHI417 Internship
PHI450 Senior Thesis
PHI499 Honors Research
 
PHI200 Introduction to Ethics 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An investigation of some of the main philosophical questions about ethics, such as the following: Does morality depend on religion? Is morality relative to culture? Why should I be moral? How do we go about answering moral questions? Is there a "theory" of morality? If so, what does that theory look like? (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI202 Logic 4 credits
(general education option under mathematics) An introduction to formal logic. The aim is to enable the student to become skilled in the examination of everyday language for validity, soundness and cogency, to acquire a basic knowledge of classical sentential and categorical logic, and to master proof techniques in propositional logic and the first-order predicate calculus.Prerequisite: C- or better in Math 090, and ACT math score of 20 or above (SAT 480 or above), or a passing score on the Math 090 placement exam. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI204 Mind, Knowledge and Morality 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to the main metaphysical and epistemological questions of philosophy. Issues addressed include the existence of God, the problem of evil, the mind-body problem, knowledge and skepticism, and personal identity and resurrection. (4 credits)
 
PHI208 Philosophy of Religion 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to some of the main problems in the philosophy of religion. Possible topics include arguments for and against the existence of God, the attributes of God, the problem of evil and the relationship between faith and reason. (4 credits)
 
PHI210 Introduction to Political Philosophy 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) This course introduces the student to philosophy by means of an examination of the main questions of normative social and political theory. It examines such matters as the justification and purpose of government, anarchism, justice, equality and human rights. Cross-referenced in political science. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI214 Contemporary Moral Issues 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) A philosophical exploration of contemporary moral issues. Possible topics include abortion, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, cloning and stem-cell research, war and terrorism, capital punishment, famine relief, factory farming and experimenting on animals, etc. (4 credits)
 
PHI216 Philosophy Through Film and Fiction 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to some of the main problems of philosophy by a study of selected works of literature and films. Topics explored include appearance and reality, knowledge and skepticism, the mind-body problem, and what sort of life is worth living. (4 credits)
 
PHI219 Philosophy and Science Fiction 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to some central philosophical problems through the medium of science fiction. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI221 Philosophy of Law 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) This course is an introduction to philosophy by way of jurisprudence, the philosophy of law. The course addresses such questions as the nature and limits of law, judicial review, the obligation to obey unjust laws, the relation of law and morality, and the objectivity of legal reasoning. A significant part of the course is an exploration of the concepts of causation in the law and legal responsibility as applied to the law of torts. Readings will include opinions from the U.S. Supreme Court and other Federal Courts. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI225 Ancient Greek Philosophy 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to the ancient Greek philosophical tradition, ranging from the Presocratics to the Hellenists but focusing on Plato and Aristotle. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI226 Medieval Philosophy 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to medieval philosophy, beginning with Neoplatonists and Patristics and focusing on figures such as Augustine, Boethius, Anselm and Aquinas. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI227 Modern Philosophy 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to the central figures in the philosophical milieu of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, focusing on thinkers such as Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Mill, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI229 Twentieth-Century Philosophy 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) An introduction to some of the dominant philosophers and philosophical movements of the 20th century.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI238 Philosophy of the Arts 4 credits
A study of major theories of the analysis and evaluation of art. (2 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI240 Minds and Machines 4 credits
(general education option under philosophy) This course introduces some of the main problems of philosophy by exploring questions that arise from computer technology. Topics examined include what it is to be a person, humans as the Image of God, the human mind as a computer, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and transhumanism.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI244 C.S. Lewis and the Inklings 4 credits
An exploration of the philosophical themes found in the writings of the Christian writing group "the inklings", focusing heavily on the fiction of C.S. Lewis. (4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)
 
PHI250 Special Topics 2-4 credits
A study of special topics in philosophy which are not adequately covered in other courses as a response to student or faculty needs or interests. May be taken more than once for credit provided that a different topic is studied. (2 or 4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)
 
PHI310 Themes in Political Theory 4 credits
A critical analysis of classical and contemporary political theories, both secular and Christian. Special consideration is given to the issue of the relation between political philosophy and the practice of political science. Prerequisites: at least one philosophy course and 4 credits in political science. Cross-referenced in political science. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI333 Philosophy and Christianity 4 credits
An exploration of some set of topics that lie at the intersection of philosophy and the Christian faith. Prerequisites: at least one philosophy course. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI341 Philosophy of Social Science 4 credits
An in-depth study of the philosophical foundations of the social and cognitive sciences. Issues discussed include, e.g., a) laws and explanations in social science, b) objectivity and values in the social sciences, c) rationality, d) relations between different social sciences and the physical sciences, e) philosophy of mind. Prerequisites: at least one philosophy course. Philosophy 202 or 342 may prove helpful, but not required. Cross-referenced in sociology. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI342 Philosophy of Natural Science 4 credits
This course will help one understand the natural sciences by examining a number of issues as they arise in the history of science. Issues discussed include: e.g., a) what distinguishes science from non-science? b) how are scientific theories justified? c) what is the role of values in scientific inquiry? d) what is required in a scientific explanation? e) do science and religion conflict? f) what is involved in a comprehensive scientific worldview? Representative thinkers include, e.g., Issac Newton, Pierre Duhem, Ernst Mach, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn. Prerequisite: at least one philosophy course. Philosophy 202 is helpful, but not required. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
 
PHI350 Special Topics 2-4 credits
A study of special topics in philosophy which are not adequately covered in other courses. Offered as a response to student or faculty needs or interests. May cover, for instance, timely topics which yet do not merit a permanent place in the curriculum. May be taken more than once provided a different topic is studied. Prerequisites: two philosophy courses. (2 or 4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)
 
PHI355 Topics in Ethics 4 credits
An advanced study of some topic(s) in ethics. Prerequisite: Philosophy 110 or 114. (4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)
 
PHI398 Directed Study 2-4 credits
 
PHI417 Internship 6-8 credits
(2 credits may apply toward the major)
 
PHI450 Senior Thesis 2 credits
Students will write a senior thesis in philosophy under the direction of one of the philosophy faculty. Prerequisites: philosophy major or minor; senior class standing. (2 credits; non-yearly, consult department)
 
PHI499 Honors Research 2-4 credits


Research the programs
Contact
Dr. Randy Jensen
Department of Philosophy
Northwestern College
101 7th St. SW
Orange City, IA 51041
712-707-7069
rjensen@nwciowa.edu

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