Philosophy courses

(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?

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

An introduction to some of the dominant philosophers and philosophical movements of the 20th century. (4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

(4 credits) (IGE option under Belief and Reason) A study of major theories of the analysis and evaluation of art.

(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.

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)

(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.

(4 credits)(IGE option under Belief and Reason) An exploration of some central philosophical problems through the medium of science fiction.

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)

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)

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)

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)

An advanced study of some topic(s) in ethics.Prerequisite: PHI110 or 114.(4 credits, non- yearly, consult department)

(2 credits may apply toward the major)

(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.