PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy

An introduction to philosophy as the speculative attempt to present a systematic and complete view of all reality. Students will be introduced to the writings of seminal philosophers as well as to the role of logic and forms of argumentation.

TCCN: PHIL 1301

PHIL 2301 Introduction to Logic

A study of the methods and principles of correct reasoning, both deductive and inductive; fallacies, and arguments together with analysis of the proposition.

TCCN: PHIL 2303

PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics

An introduction to the elements of moral philosophy including, but not limited to, the following issues: What is morality?; Cultural and Moral Relativism; Does Morality depend on Religion?; Ethical Egoism; Deontology, including Kant's Categorical Imperative and Respect for Reasons; The Idea of a Social Contract; and The Ethics of Virtue.

TCCN: PHIL 2306

PHIL 3302 Philosophy of Law

An examination and evaluation of some basic practices and principles of Anglo-American law. The course will focus on such problems as: the nature and extent of legal liability, strict liability statutes, "Good Samaritan" laws, the law of criminal attempts, the enforcement of community moral standards, the obligation to obey the law, the justification of punishment and capital punishment, civil obedience, and affirmative action and reverse discrimination. We will examine prominent legal cases and their underlying principles, but the emphasis will be on the philosophical analysis and evaluation of the law in these areas. Readings will be drawn from both classical and contemporary sources. Course may be repeated for credit when topics vary.

PHIL 3304 Contemporary Moral Issues

Philosophical examination of selected moral problems arising out of contemporary society. Some of the moral problems we will explore are: abortion, euthanasia, poverty and hunger, war, animal rights, human cloning, and other biomedical issues. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

PHIL 3316 Classic. to Renais. Philosophy

This course will cover the major philosophers from the Hellenistic and Roman philosophy of antiquity beginning circa 600 B.C.E. to the significant texts of the seventeenth-century in courses of study like theology, metaphysics, epistemology, moral psychology, aesthetics, and the utopian project of the West. Possible philosophers include such thinkers as the Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Berkeley, Hobbes, Machiavelli, Leibniz, Bacon, and Locke. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.

PHIL 3317 Renais. to Contemp. Philosophy

This course covers the major developments in philosophical thought from the 18th century through to the major thinkers of today. It deals with “modern” and “postmodern” topics such as the limits of science, political epistemology, aesthetics, hermeneutics, post-structuralism, critical theory, deconstruction, contemporary Marxist strategies, semiotics, cultural studies, gender studies, race theory, human-technological interplay, and other issues. May be repeated when topic changes.

PHIL 3321 Philosophy of World Religions

This course will provide a philosophical study of various world religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many others, and may include studies of indigenous and oral religious traditions as well. The focus of the course will be the philosophical theories behind these religious worldviews and their respective arguments pertaining to the existence and nature of spiritual life. May be repeated when topic changes.

PHIL 3341 Great Bks: Classic. to Renais

An intensive study of one or two philosophical classics or a series of readings selected from the classics of the Western tradition from the Greco-Roman period to the Renaissance.

Prerequisites: Three hours of sophomore literature or consent of instructor.

PHIL 3342 Great Bks: Renais. to Present

An intensive study of one or two philosophical classics or a series of readings selected from the classics of Western tradition since the Renaissance, from Cervantes to the present.

Prerequisites: Three hours of sophomore literature or consent of instructor.

PHIL 4310 Great Thinkers

This course involves the critical analysis of a specified philosopher’s ideas over the course of his or her career through the examination of selected works. Course may be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite ENGL 1302.

PHIL 4380 Philosophy in Literature

Formulation and critical analysis of philosophical ideas in selected literary works.

Prerequisites: Three hours of sophomore-level ENGL with a grade of "C" or better, or three hours of sophomore-level PHIL with a grade of "C" or better, or consent of instructor

PHIL 4388 Existentialism

A study of the nature of human existence and experience in the philosophies of Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Miguel de Unamuno, Kafka, Ortega y Gasset, Sartre, and Camus.

Prerequisites: Three hours of sophomore-level ENGL with a grade of "C" or better, or three hours of sophomore-level PHIL with a grade of "C" or better, or consent of instructor

PHIL 4395 Special Topics in Philosophy

This special topics course will focus on philosophical contents and methods that are not currently covered by other Philosophy courses in the catalog. Course may be repeated when topic changes.