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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| 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)
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| 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)
|
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| PHI398 |
Directed Study |
2-4 credits |
|
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| PHI417 |
Internship |
6-8 credits |
|
(2 credits may apply toward the major)
|
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| 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)
|
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| PHI499 |
Honors Research |
2-4 credits |
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