Philosophy
- The study of philosophy helps students develop analytic skills and gain an appreciation of the general philosophical problems with which human beings have grappled throughout Western civilization. Basic philosophic problems such as free will and determinism, the criteria which justify ethical evaluations, the philosophical considerations which are relevant to belief or disbelief in God, and knowledge and illusion are examined during this course.
- This course will introduce students to the thought of different philosophical traditions. The course will focus on ancient and contemporary traditions including (but not limited to) African, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Latin American, and various philosophical perspectives within Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic traditions. A major aim will be to establish thematic connections between the traditions under discussion. Topics may include ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, personal identity, and theology.
- The course focuses on principles of sound thinking and valid argument in order to develop skills in analysis and evaluation of inductive and deductive reasoning. Students learn to discriminate between valid and invalid argument, using as tools the techniques of formal and symbolic logic.
- In considering ethical positions ranging from animal rights to environmental philosophies of radical ecology, and studying the impact of new reproductive technologies and other biotechnologies on the (so-called) Third World, students learn about advances made by working scientists and feminist philosophers in contextualizing science and technology. A special attempt will be made to study cultural factors as class, gender, and race in order to understand the responsibilities of scientists and technologists for the uses of their knowledge; the ethics of scientific research; and truth and fraud in science and engineering.
- This course is designed to develop the mind and help sharpen students' ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly, critically and effectively. Through substantive readings, structured writings assignments and ongoing discussions, students will learn to use analytical skills in reading, writing, oral presentations, researching, and listening. Students will examine concrete examples from their own experience and readings and contemporary issues in the media to learn how to analyze issues, solve problems and make informed decisions in academic, professional, and personal lives.
- This course will examine major historical and contemporary perspectives in moral philosophy. We will consider questions such as, 'Are there universal moral values??, Are ethical conduct and self-interest compatible?', 'What is the source of our ethical obligations (God? Society? Or Reason?) and how can we justify them?', and 'How does globalization impact ethical theory?' The course will look at what attributes and qualities make up a successful ethical theory and will compare competing approaches to ethical decision-making. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on real-world ethical issues that arise in contemporary life and society.
- This course will introduce students to the core problems in the philosophy of psychology. We will study the debates around issues such as the nature of human rationality, the extent of self-knowledge, the competing claims around free will and human responsibility, and the nature of moral judgment and moral motivation. Throughout the course, our main goal will be to observe how the theoretical and conceptual character of philosophical inquiry and the empirical and practical approach of the discipline of psychology can inform and complement one another in exploring these core problems.
- This course will examine historical and contemporary debates in political philosophy, social theory, and social philosophy. Topics may include the nature of social and political systems, theories of human nature and justifications of state power, the relationship between the individual and the state, the role of justice and conflict among social groups, the influence of the economy on society, and the meaning of freedom and democracy.
- This course will introduce students to ancient traditions in philosophy across the globe. The course may include traditions such as classical Chinese philosophy and classical Indian Philosophy, Ancient Greek philosophy, and the Philosophy of ancient Egypt. A major goal of this course is to establish whether it makes sense to speak of a universally shared understanding of philosophy in the ancient world, or whether philosophy can only be defined in the context of a specific culture.
- This course provides an in-depth discussion of some of the great issues of philosophy. It applies analytical and logical tools for clarification of these issues with emphasis on recent/contemporary philosophical developments. Using a cross-cultural perspective, there is a focus on select topics such as ethical codes and moral conduct, plolitcal order, social justice, religious experiences and beliefs, science and knowledge and the nature of consciousness. Prerequisite: PHI 100 or 110
- This course offers an examination of philosophical topics concerning the mind and consciousness. What is consciousness? What is the relation between the mind and the brain? What purpose does consciousness serve in humans and animals? Topics may include neuroscientific and evolutionary theories of consciousness, the nature of "self" and subjective experience, free will, dualism vs. materialism, and artificial intelligence, among others.
Prerequisite: Any 100-level PHI or CRT course - This course will introduce students to theories and contemporary debates in the philosophy of law. Topics studied may include theories and methods of legal interpretation, equality and discrimination, race and civil rights, democracy, property rights and justice, and the tension between social conformity and personal liberty. Readings will comprise classical and contemporary philosophical sources, and statutes and court decisions.
Prerequisite: Any 100-level PHI course or departmental permission - This course introduces students to Africana philosophy, understood as philosophy of and about Africa and its diaspora. Given this rich and vast subject, the course may cover a wide variety of subjects and subtopics. Topics may include ancient philosophies of Egypt and Ethiopia, sage philosophy, Caribbean philosophy, aesthetics, African approaches to gender, theories personhood, post-colonial and revolutionary political theories, oral philosophy, theories of time, causality, being, knowledge, and more.
Prerequisite: Any 100-level PHI course or departmental permission
