Philosophy

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

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.

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.

From a preliminary analysis of the nature and function of ethics, this course examines contemporary topics in media ethics such as advertising, political reporting, and artistic expression. Also examines some theoretical issues such as the debate over the right to privacy as opposed to the public's right to know. Prerequisites: JRN 100 or permission of instructor. Occasionally.

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.

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. Occasionally.

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.

How do you know you're not dreaming? What is knowledge, and what kinds of knowledge can we have? What makes you the same person you were yesterday? Do people have free will? We will examine philosophical answers to these questions as we explore central issues in metaphysics and epistemology. Occasionally.

Examines a selected topic, or the works of one or two major thinkers, at an intermediate level. May be repeated as topics change. Occasionally.

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.

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.

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. Occasionally.

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

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.

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: IHHGS 252/IHHIST 252, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as HGS 313. Fall.

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.

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. Occasionally.

What gives words meaning? How do pointing and other contextual factors influence interpretation? What role do intentions play? How do Superman and Santa Claus differ from the names of real people? We will explore questions such as these from a philosophical perspective, through readings by Russell, Kripke, Putnam, and others. Prerequisite: IHPHIL100. Occasionally

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. Occasionally.

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.

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.