Philosophy courses
PHI200BR - Ethics
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)(IGE option under Belief
and Reason) 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?
PHI202QR - Logic
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)(NWCore option under
Quantitative Reasoning) An introduction to formal logic. The aim is to enable the student to become
skilled in the examination of everyday language for validity, soundness, and
cogency, to acquire a basic knowledge of classical sentential logic, and to
master proof techniques in propositional logic and the first-order predicate
calculus.
Prerequisite: C- or better in MAT090, an ACT math score of 20 or above (SAT
510 or above), or a passing score on the MAT090 placement exam.
PHI204BR - Mind, Knowledge and Reality
(4 credits)(NWCore option under Belief and Reason) An introduction to the main
metaphysical and epistemological theories of
philosophy. Issues addressed include the existence of God, the problem of
evil, the mind-body problem, knowledge and skepticism, and personal
identity and resurrection.
PHI208BR - Reason and Christian Faith
(4 credits; alternate year, consult department)(IGE option under Belief and
Reason) An introduction to some of the main philosophical problems faced by
Christians. Possible topics include apologetics, arguments for and against
the existence of God, the attributes of God, the problem of evil, and the
relationship between faith and reason.
PHI210BR - Introduction to Political Philosophy
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)(NWCore option under Belief
and Reason) This course introduces the student to philosophy by means of an
examination of the main questions of social and political theory. It
examines such matters as the justification and purpose of government,
anarchism, justice, equality, and human rights.
Cross-referenced in political science.
PHI214BR - Contemporary Moral Issues
(4 credits)(NWCore option under Belief and Reason) A philosophical
exploration of several contemporary moral issues. Possible topics include
abortion, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, cloning and
stem-cell research, war and terrorism, capital punishment, global
poverty, factory farming and experimenting on animals, homosexuality and
same-sex marriage, etc.
PHI216BR - Philosophy Through Film and Fiction
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)(NWCore option under Belief and
Reason) An introduction to some of the main problems of philosophy by a
study of selected works of literature and film. Topics explored include
appearance and reality, knowledge and skepticism, the mind-body problem, and
what sort of life is worth living.
PHI219BR - Philosophy and Science Fiction
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)(IGE option under Belief
and Reason) An introduction to some central philosophical problems
through the medium of science fiction.
PHI225BR - Ancient Greek Philosophy
(4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)(IGE option under Belief and
Reason) An introduction to the ancient Greek philosophical tradition,
ranging from the Presocratics to the Hellenists but focusing on Plato and
Aristotle.
PHI226BR - Medieval Philosophy
(4 credits, non-yearly, consult department)(IGE option under Belief and
Reason) An introduction to medieval philosophy, focusing on major figures
such as Augustine, Boethius, Anselm and Aquinas.
PHI227BR - Modern Philosophy
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)(IGE option under Belief
and Reason) An introduction to the central figures in the philosophical
milieu of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, focusing on thinkers such
as Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Mill,
Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.
PHI229 - Twentieth-Century Philosophy
An introduction to some of the dominant philosophers and philosophical movements of the 20th century. (4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)
PHI238BR - Philosophy of the Arts
(4 credits) (IGE option under Belief and Reason) A study of major theories
of the analysis and evaluation of art.
PHI244BR - C.S. Lewis
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (IGE option under
Belief and Reason) An exploration of the philosophical themes found in
the writings of C.S. Lewis, with some consideration of his place in the
writing group known as the Inklings.
PHI250 - Special Topics
A study of special topics in philosophy which are not adequately covered in other courses as a response to student or faculty needs or interests.(2 or 4 credits, non- yearly, consult department)
PHI310WI - History of Political Thought
(4 credits)(Writing intensive) A survey of the history of Western
political thought, through study of selected major thinkers in the
tradition. Emphasis will be placed both on each thinker's political
theory and how it fits in with the broader history of Western political
thought.
PHI319BR - Philosophy and Science Fiction
(4 credits)(IGE option under Belief and Reason) An exploration of some
central philosophical problems through the medium of science fiction.
PHI333 - Philosophy and Christianity
An exploration of some set of topics that lie at the intersection of philosophy and the Christian faith.Prerequisite: at least one philosophy course.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
PHI341 - Philosophy of Social Science
An in-depth study of the philosophical foundations of the social and cognitive sciences. Issues discussed include, e.g., a) laws and explanations in social science, b) objectivity and values in the social sciences, c) rationality, d) relations between different social sciences and the physical sciences, e) philosophy of mind.Prerequisites: at least one philosophy course. PHI202 or 342 may prove helpful, but not required.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
PHI342 - Philosophy of Natural Science
This course will help one understand the natural sciences by examining a number of issues as they arise in the history of science. Issues discussed include: e.g., a) what distinguishes science from non-science? b) how are scientific theories justified? c) what is the role of values in scientific inquiry? d) what is required in ascientific explanation? e) do science and religion conflict? f) what is involved in a comprehensive scientific worldview? Representative thinkers include, e.g., Isaac Newton, Pierre Duhem, Ernst Mach, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn.Prerequisite: at least one philosophy course. PHI202 is helpful, but not required.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
PHI350 - Special Topics
A study of special topics in philosophy which are not adequately covered in other courses.Prerequisites: two philosophy courses.(2 or 4 credits, non- yearly, consult department)
PHI355 - Topics in Ethics
An advanced study of some topic(s) in ethics.Prerequisite: PHI110 or 114.(4 credits, non- yearly, consult department)
PHI398 - Directed Study
PHI417 - Internship
(2 credits may apply toward the major)
PHI450WI - Senior Thesis
(2 credits; non-yearly, consult department)(Writing intensive)
Students will write a senior thesis in philosophy under the direction of one
of the philosophy faculty.
Prerequisites: philosophy major or minor, senior class standing.