IHPHIL 100 LOGICAL ARGUMENTATION
The art of correct reasoning, advanced by studying forms of argument. Emphasizes deductive arguments, both categorical and sentential, and informal fallacies. Fall, Spring.

IHPHIL 220 ETHICS
Are abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment morally acceptable? This course will examine the most influential philosophical approaches to resolving ethical questions such as these. We will apply philosophical theories and principles to a variety of moral dilemmas, with the aim of developing the skills necessary to successfully analyze ethical arguments. Fall, Spring.

PHIL 200 PHILOSOPHY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Critical readings in works of the Greek, Medieval, and Modern periods of Western philosophy. Skills of analyzing, evaluating, and paraphrasing are nurtured and applied to philosophical arguments, classifications, definitions, explanations, and refutations. Fall, Spring.

PHIL 211 SENSE AND NONSENSE
Inductive reasoning approached through the study of modern pseudoscientific writings on topics such as extraterrestrial visitors, the Bermuda Triangle, astrology, and PSI. Emphasizes criteria for acceptable hypotheses, controls for observation and experiment, and guards against neglect of evidence. Alternate semesters.

PHIL 231 COMPARATIVE RELIGION
A philosophical introduction to many of the world’s religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism. Investigates the differing aspects of human religious experience and examines the similarities and differences both between religions and among the denominations within them.

PHIL 240 SKIN, SEX, AND GENES
This course reviews some of the ways in which modern biology has been a site of conflict about race, gender, and sexuality. We will consider scientific studies, as well as feminist, queer, and anti-racist critiques of those studies, in an effort to understand how science marks certain bodies as different. Fall.

PHIL 260 THEORIES OF THE BODY
This course examines the argument that bodies are only produced once they have been given meaning within a society, focusing on scholarship from disability studies, queer theory, antiracist theory, and feminist theory. What does embodiment reveal about structures of inequality and the operations of power in our society? Occasionally.

PHIL 298 INDEPENDENT STUDY
2-8 credits
An opportunity for a qualified student to explore work in an area of individual interest, selected and pursued in consultation with a faculty member. Consent required of the instructor who will supervise the independent study. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits.

PHIL 300 ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
An examination of Western philosophy among the Greeks and Romans, from Thales through Plotinus. Reading and discussion of primary sources. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Alternate years.

PHIL 302 MODERN PHILOSOPHY
An examination of Western philosophy from the 17th to early 19th century. Major attention is paid to the continental rationalists, the British empiricists, and Kant. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Alternate years.

PHIL 304 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY
A critical study of American Pragmatism, its critique of earlier Modern philosophy, and its appropriation of evolutionary theory. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Alternate years.

PHIL 306 EXISTENTIALISM AND LITERATURE
An examination of philosophic writings, novels, and plays from writers such as Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Kafka, Camus, Beckett, Ionesco, and Sartre. Attempts to isolate and evaluate typical existentialist themes and to contrast them with nonexistentialist themes.

PHIL 308 CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY
An examination of 20th-century Anglo-American and continental thought, including analytic philosophy, phenomenology, logical positivism, hermeneutics, ordinary language philosophy, existentialism, structuralism, and deconstructionism. Attention is given to influential theorists such as Russell, Husserl, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Quine, Sartre, and Derrida. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Occasionally.

PHIL 313 PHILOSOPHY AND THE HOLOCAUST
This course examines ethical, philosophical, and theological issues relating to the experience of the Holocaust and the broader human concerns of evil and suffering. Topics include the uniqueness and universality of the Holocaust as well as questions of justice. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy and either HIST 252 or HIST 253, or permission of instructor. Once every three years.

PHIL 322 MEDIA ETHICS
Teaching and practice in ethics with use of case studies. Students are taught that information in journalism is a social good, not merely a commodity, and that the journalist shares responsibility for what is transmitted to the public. Prerequisites: JRN 100 or permission of instructor. Occasionally.

PHIL 350 AESTHETICS
A philosophic introduction to a variety of influential theories of art in areas as diverse as literature, dance, and film. Examination of the role of the creative process in human experience as perceived by philosophers from Plato to Derrida.

PHIL 358 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE: 1700 TO PRESENT
Examines the development of scientific thought and philosophy of science from the Scientific Revolution to the present. Prerequisites: 6 credits of science course work or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as HIST 358.

PHIL 360 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW
Examines questions in the area of the philosophy of law including discussions of the appropriate roles of liberty, justice, and responsibility in a society that reconciles a respect for the individual with the need for legitimate governmental authority. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Spring, alternate years.

PHIL 393 TOPICS IN HISTORY OF IDEAS
Examines a selected topic in intellectual history, cultural history, or history of philosophy. Readings are drawn from primary sources. May be repeated as topics change. Prerequisite: One course in History or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as HIST 393.

PHIL 400 PHILOSOPHICAL MASTERS
Concentrated study of works of a single philosopher. Primary readings are complemented by secondary readings that sample a range of interpretations and by examination of some historical influences both within and without philosophy. Repeatable for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Occasionally.

PHIL 406 EXISTENTIALISM AND FILM
The success of many films derives not only from their entertaining qualities, but also from existential themes. Philosophical perspectives are applied to the films of directors such as Woody Allen and Alfred Hitchcock. Spring, alternate years.

PHIL 490 ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS
Examines a selected topic, or the works of one or two major thinkers at an advanced level. May be repeated as topics change. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or permission of instructor. Occasionally.

PHIL 495 SEMINAR
Intensive study of a particular theme or topic in Philosophy. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisites: One course in Philosophy and junior standing, or permission of instructor.

PHIL 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY
2-8 credits
Independent reading and study in a selected area of philosophy, conducted on a tutorial basis. Students must obtain approval of the supervising faculty member before registering. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits. Occasionally.