Philosophy programs

This course is a study of basic ethical theories including the Christian impact on ethics. It includes applications of ethical decision-making to business problems and cases. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing and completion of at least two courses in business, economics or accounting. (2 credits)

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, and so on.(4 credits)

This course centers on the implications of the Christian faith for Christians in the political order. We will explore historical and current Christian interpretations of the role of government in society, distilling biblical values which undergird them. Prerequisite: junior standing, or permission of the instructor. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics)

An examination of Christian witness as verbal proclamation (evangelism), as reasoned response (apologetics), as a distinctive lifestyle and as the practice of social justice. Prerequisite: REL262 (4 credits)

A seminar which applies Christian perspectives to selected problems in the field of biology.(4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

No course description available.

This course focuses on a range of social and ethical issues involved in computer science and computer use. Computer professionals have to face these issues and deal with them in a responsible way. Some issues discussed in the course include ethical decision making, software piracy, software protection, computer crime, privacy, errors and reliability, computers and the workplace, responsibility and reliability, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.(2 credits)

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)

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.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

An advanced study of some topic(s) in ethics.Prerequisite: PHI110 or 114.(4 credits, non- yearly, consult department)

A general examination of domestic and foreign policies of the United States. Education, health care, civil rights and economic policy are among the various polices explored. Particular attention is given to the differences between Christian liberal and Christian conservative policy perspectives of problems such as crime, discrimination, poverty, degradation of the environment and others. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics)

This course briefly surveys the landscape of the American legal system. Most of the course, however, is devoted to examining significant constitutional issues, such as government powers, civil rights and civil liberties. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics)

This course explores a particular problem in international politics, using descriptive, theoretical and normative perspectives. Issues addressed may include war, ethics and foreign policy, and hunger. We will explore relevant Christian thinking to assess proposed solutions.(2-4 credits, non-yearly, consult department)

A biblically based, theologically and historically informed study of both personal and social moral issues from a Christian perspective. (2 credits, offered at the discretion of the department, consult department)

A discussion of myths and facts leading toward an understanding of many social problems, such as sexual deviance, drugs and alcohol, health care and illness (physical and mental), crime and delinquency, violence, wealth and poverty, inequality of opportunity, work, aging, sex inequality, racial minorities and discrimination, education, family problems, war, pollution, ecology and population. Emphasis is placed upon difficulties in defining, critiquing and proposing meaningful solutions.(4 credits)

A study of the development of, issues in, and new directions for, the American criminal justice system. Each step of the system is critiqued in terms of intended and unintended consequences as well as official and operative goals, and is related to a detailed discussion of various correctional treatment programs: prisons, halfway houses, group homes, community-based treatment programs, probation, parole and others. Those in the criminal justice career concentration should take SOC218 first. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)